Service Awards Presented

Volunteer Fairfax, a nonprofit group that connects people and volunteer opportunities, presented its annual outstanding service awards April 21 at Tysons Corner.

The winners included:

· Elizabeth Freed of Falls Church, who created an outdoor classroom from a weed-filled courtyard at Bailey's Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences.

· Andrea Foley of Reston and Neil Schussel of Annandale, for their efforts in reducing child abuse and neglect and their work with abused and neglected children. Childhelp USA Children's Center of Virginia won the adult volunteer group award for its efforts to supply volunteers to help abused children.

· Jose Rodriguez of Great Falls, webmaster at Forestville Elementary School in Great Falls, for service to education for creating and promoting the school's Web site.

· Brad Dutton of Vienna, who has provided free child care so parents could attend special programs offered by the county Department of Family Services, won a youth volunteer award.

· Janet Baity of Lorton, a senior volunteer, earned an award for thousands of hours volunteering at the Lorton Library since it first opened 15 years ago.

· Steve and Ellen Tomczyk and their children, Taylor and Drew, of Springfield were named the outstanding volunteer family for creating "Cole's Closet," a toy bank and comfort program offered at four area hospitals. The program was named for the couple's infant son who died in 2000.

· West Group won the corporate award for the company's partnership with Westgate Elementary School, where company volunteers are involved in programs that support student development.

· The Giving Circle of Hope, a group of women in the Reston, Herndon and Vienna area who collect money to distribute to charitable causes, was honored as outstanding adult volunteer group.

· The South Lakes High School Student Government Association was honored for volunteer activities that include providing for needy families, supporting elementary school literacy, international disaster relief efforts and community cleanup days.

· Debra Peevey of Reston received a community leadership award for her work with Journey of the Heart Ministries, Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry and Reston Interfaith.

-- C. WOODROW IRVIN