Standing in front of the Remembrance Wreaths during the National Wreaths Across America Day ceremony at Chestnut Grove Cemetery are (from left) Sgt. First Class Josh Smith, United States Army, Retired, representing POW/MIA with Shelby, service dog, Major Maria Bingham, United States Army, representing United States Merchant Marines, Lt. Alexander Austin, United States Coast Guard, Spec 4 Edward Greer, United States Army, representing United States Air Force, Chief Petty Officer; United States Navy, Retired, Christian Myers; Capt. Mia Hencinski, United States Marine Corps; and Major Thomas Lane, United States Army. Photo by Mercia Hobson.
Citizens and organizations in the Town of Herndon came out full force the weekend before Christmas 2017. On Friday, Dec. 15 and Saturday, Dec. 16 they supported three local service-giving events, new shoes for children in need at Hutchinson Elementary School, refurbished bikes for children without at Herndon Middle School, and wreath-laying for Wreaths Across America Day at Chestnut Grove Cemetery in Herndon.
Lives Changed
Shoes are one of the most visible signs of poverty. For children in need, having access to new, well-fitting shoes can change their lives and remove the financial burden from their families as they struggle to make ends meet. No longer distracted by the discomfort of shoes that are too small or worn out, new shoes can increase a child's self-esteem and physical activity, making a difference in the life of a child.
Knowing this, Supervisor John W. Foust (D-Dranesville) and Arts Herndon, a local nonprofit organization, teamed up. After collecting new shoes and gift cards to benefit children in need at Hutchison Elementary School in Herndon, they gathered with Del. Jennifer B. Boysko (D-86), and some of the staff and students at the Title 1 school on Friday morning, Dec. 15.
Foust and Co-Executive Directors of Arts Herndon, Jason DiMambro and Anna Schoenfeld carried in boxes of new donated shoes and a large manila envelope filled with gift cards. "These donations help ensure students have what they need to be successful in school," said Foust. DiMambro expressed admiration for the selfless spirit of local citizens. "It's very heartwarming to be in a community where everyone is so giving to these children," he said.
For Boysko, the event has become a yearly tradition. "It's something I look forward to every year," she said.
School staff plans to set the shoes and gift cards aside, and when a student requires shoes, there will be ready supply or gift card waiting to change a life.
Joy Received
For 10 needy children and teens named by Cornerstones' Herndon Neighborhood Resource Center, it wasn't Santa who brought them a bicycle for Christmas but instead members of Herndon Middle School (HMS) after-school Bike Shop Program.
Recipients ranged in age from 9 to 17. Each youth received a refurbished bicycle, evaluated and rebuilt by the seventh and eighth graders in the Bike Shop Program. Kids helping kids. Members of the local community donated all the bikes.
Paul McIntyre is the Service Manager at The Bike Lane in Reston. He oversees the Bike Shop Program at HMS with A.J. Fuller, the After School Program Specialist. In an interview, Fuller explained the positive impact a bicycle has on recipients. "When I was growing up, my bike was my primary transportation around the community. Bikes give youth access to more opportunities, and also helps them stay in shape."
Tony Vargas 12, of Herndon, was one of the recipients. Admiring his bicycle, Vargas exclaimed, "It's nice. I'm going to go to my friends' houses and bike with them. It's going to be fun."
McIntyre thanked the community for donating the bicycles and Kelley Westenhoff of Reston Bike Club for mentoring and supporting the program, as well as club members for donating the helmets and taking the time to help with the giveaway.
"And of course, the kids at Herndon Middle School in the Bike Shop program," said McIntyre. "Without them, this event would never happen."
Veterans Remembered
The Herndon Woman’s Club joined Wreaths Across America (WAA) on Saturday, Dec. 16 to remember United States Veterans, honor those who served, and teach children the value of freedom through the organization’s participation in an official WAA wreath-laying ceremony at Chestnut Grove Cemetery, 831 Dranesville Road in Herndon.
Karen Worcester, executive director, Wreaths Across America said on the organization's website: "We are not here to ‘decorate graves.’ We're here to remember not their deaths, but their lives."
Herndon area parents and children, teens and seniors gathered at Chestnut Grove Cemetery shortly before noon on Saturday, Dec. 16 for the ceremony, themed by Wreaths Across America as: "I'm An American. Yes, I Am!"
An estimated crowd of nearly 700 turned out at Chestnut Grove Cemetery for the ceremony and wreath laying. In her remarks to those assembled in the cemetery, Carol Wright, member of Herndon Woman's Club, encouraged participants to say the veteran's name aloud when placing the wreath at the grave and then take a moment to thank the veteran for their service, thereby keeping the memory of that veteran alive.