The Fairfax County Park Foundation established the Eakin Philanthropy Award to recognize visionary financial and material contributions that significantly enhance Fairfax County parks. The award is named in honor of LeRoy Eakin, Sr. (pictured with Laura Eakin Erlacher and Eakin Family members) who donated 14 acres of land in 1951 which became Fairfax County's first park. The Eakin family gave another 240 additional acres which ultimately became the Fairfax County Park Authority. The Park Foundation is proud to recognize individuals and organizations who help to continue the Eakin legacy.
Ellanor C. Lawrence Park Friends was recognized for partnering with the Fairfax County Park Foundation to secure feature sponsors for the Stewardship Education Center; and for supporting engaging program and events at the ECLP.
Wayne and Angela Valis and the Valis Family were recognized for their generous support by Individuals through the Park Foundation for Pinecrest Golf Course, Burke Lake Park and the Sully Woodlands Stewardship Education Center.
The Friends of Colvin Run Mill received an award for their significant preservation efforts of the historic property. Pictured Julie Gurnee, Colvin Run Mill Park Manager with Friends Larry Herman, Jim Wair, Dan Dyke, Bob Coblen, Kitty O'Hara, Mike Henry and Gene Bacher.
Dominion Energy is recognized with the Eakin Philanthropy Award for Organizations for $191,000 in FCPF contributions to support environmental projects through donations to Open Space, significant Trail Projects; Earth Day/Arbor Day event; and the popular county-wide Summer Entertainment Series.
Friends of Riverbend Park President, Hugh Morrow III, accepts the Friends Group Eakin Philanthropy Award. This volunteer FCPA Friends Group funded forest restoration, intern awards, environmental field trips and purchased canoes, equipment and interpretive signs to educate and inspire visitors at this park along the picturesque Potomac River.
The Hwang Family receive the Individual Eakin Philanthropy Award for philanthropy at the five-figure level. William Won K., Young M., and daughter, Jennifer funded camp scholarships, major Golf Tournaments and Evenings on the Ellipse Summer Entertainment Series. The Hwang family facilitate outreach between Fairfax County parks, and the Korean community who frequently visit golf courses and other parks.
Trinity Centre serves as the lead sponsor of the family-oriented Starlight Cinema by providing the drive-in movie venue at their park-like campus since 2005. Additional support includes financial contributions of $115,300 for movie rentals and dedicated staff who coordinate logistical support to make the popular Summer Entertainment Series a tradition in the Sully District.
I-66 Express Mobility Partners became a generous signature supporter in 2019 to continue the Starlight Cinema series through 2021. This important community partner keeps us moving forward into through the “Transform 66 Outside the Beltway” mega-project that includes 18 miles of shared use trails for bicycles and pedestrians to connect the widely used trail network in Fairfax County.
Since 2010 Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park have donated $118,076 to the Park Foundation. The Friends support the building of horse stalls, purchasing farm equipment, an equestrian jump and the 4-H Fair. The Friends received the 2019 Organizational Eakin Philanthropy Award.
Eakin Properties and the Eakin Park Family Trust have contributed toward the Eakin Community Park picnic shelter, 32 gifts for a variety of park needs, and a significant Legacy Circle bequest pledge. Current donations total more than $141,000. The Eakin Philanthropy Award is named after LeRoy Eakin, Sr., donor of the first 14.5 acres of park land in 1951.
Tibor Lazar and family are the 2019 recipients of the individual Eakin Philanthropy Award. In 2018, Tibor Lazar and Heidi Allen committed to give a minimum of $3,000 per month for 10 years for a total of $360,000. The fund was created for the purpose of building a future endowment for FCPA Natural Resources Management and Protection.
The Washington Nationals and it’s Dream Foundation Legacy Fields program provided $1 million in turnkey renovations for a diamond field Mason District Park named for Hall of Fame catcher, Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez and the Bryce Harper All-Star Field Complex at Fred Crabtree Park.
McLean Community Foundation donated generously since 2004 for initial construction, the Liberty Swing and recent Picnic Celebration Area at the popular Clemyjontri Park along with grants for playground improvements at Bryn Mawr and Kent Gardens Parks.
Nancy Wilson was recognized for supporting FCPA trails, through the William ‘Bill’ Vesey Memorial Fund, in honor of her late husband. She inspires others to follow in her footsteps by giving to Park Trail Building and Care which helps this most-used park system amenity.
Jean and Ric Edelman invested in a high capacity telescope at Observatory Park at Turner Farm to inspire STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education through exciting exploration of the night sky.
Volkswagen of America contributed to PACT camp scholarships for children in homeless shelters and supportive housing, enriching our community for more than a decade.
Chantilly Youth Association (CYA) (pictured above) and Timber Ridge at Discovery Square (pictured below) partnered to create the state-of-the-art Sully Highlands Park featuring multiple lighted fields, batting cages, restroom/concession building, cricket pitch and a playground.
The Ruth & Hal Launders Charitable Trust partnered with the FCPA to create Arrowbrook Centre Park featuring a lighted synthetic field, picnic pavilion, a basketball court, two lighted tennis courts, a bocce court, a playground and trails. The trust underwrites the Arrowbrook Centre Summer Concert Series.
Tom D. Fleury, Vice President and founding member of Cityline Partners, was cited for his career-long dedication to environmental preservation and his commitment to include ample green space in the development of Tysons.
Suzan Syron-Singh, Children’s Physical Therapy Center (CPTC) owner/therapist, committed to support of Chessie’s BIG Backyard playground at Lee District Park in memory of her daughter, Kelley Syron, who worked at the CPTC.
Ann Smith worked with the Fairfax County Park Authority and Mt. Vernon District Supervisor Gerry Hyland’s office to identify a soccer field improvement to be made in memory of her husband. Lt. Col. Gary F. Smith, a civilian employee of the Army, who was killed when American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon on 9/11. (Presented at the Veterans Day field opening ceremony).
Eakin Philanthropy Awards 2014
VA 495, 95 and 395 ExpressLanes, formerly Transurban-Fluor, has been a tremendous supporter of park programs and capital projects since 2009. Contributions were made for a diverse set of projects including the Summer Entertainment Series, Wakefield Run Stream Restoration, Adapted Aquatics, Chessie’s BIG Backyard, and the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail.
Mike Rolband, president of Wetland Studies and Solutions (WSSI), was recognized for generous and skillful work on the Wetland Restoration Project at Huntley Meadows Park. WSSI contributed nearly 400 hours of pro-bono time, free materials and staff training, conservatively valued at $186,000.
Eakin Philanthropy Awards 2013
ExxonMobil generously supported the Summer Entertainment Series, an outdoor classroom at Huntley Meadows Park, and the Meaningful Watershed Education Experience for seventh graders at Hidden Oaks Nature Center.
The RZ Foundation has supported RecPAC camp scholarships, the Arts in the Parks performance series, have sponsored a bench at Hogge Park in honor of family members, and provided funding toward open space land acquisition in this community.
Eakin Philanthropy Awards 2012
Daughter Joyce Cockrille and granddaughter Jan Wray (right) accept the 2012 Eakin Philanthropy Award honoring Fred Crabtree posthumously for expanding parkland and board service. Presenters include John Osborn, Harry Glasgow, Bobbi Longworth, Tim Eakin Walsh and Richard Eakin.
Recognizing the support of Arts in the Parks and board service, Steve Thormahlen receives the Eakin Philanthropy Award on behalf of PNC Foundation from Marie Reinsdorf of the Park Authority Board as Harry Glasgow, Tim Eakin Walsh and Richard Eakin look on.
Michael Gailliot (center) of Hilltop Sand & Gravel is presented with the Eakin Philanthropy Award for contributions to Lee District Park including Chessie's BIG Backyard. Also pictured are John Osborn, Tim Eakin Walsh, Richard Eakin and Harold Henderson.
Eakin Philanthropy Awards 2011
Craig and Belinda Stevens (left) receive the 2011 Eakin Philanthropy Award for individuals for supporting numerous FCPF projects from Tim Eakin and Ayda Walsh with their children Kaylee and Ace.
Mike Leone (right) of Cox Communications accepts the 2011 Eakin Philanthropy Award for an organization with Park Foundation Executive Director Bobbi Longworth, Park Authority Board Director Ed Batten, Foundation Board Director Chip Comstock and Foundation Board Treasurer Steve Thormahlen.
Eakin Philanthropy Awards 2010
Joseph Thelin and Tara Mooney are presented with the Eakin Philanthropy Award for individuals for fundraising Katie’s Playground in loving memory of their infant daughter at Royal Lake Park.
Lynn Tadlock accepts the Eakin Philanthropy Award on behalf of the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation for generous support of Clemyjontri Park and summer camp scholarships for children in financial need and those living in transitional housing shelters.
