2026 Outstanding Volunteer Award Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2026    

Loudoun Cares Announces Winners for 2026 Outstanding Volunteer Awards
Celebrating Volunteers across Loudoun County

LEESBURG, Virginia (May 2026) – Loudoun Cares hosted its annual Outstanding Volunteer Awards on May 7th, honoring the incredible spirit of service that defines Loudoun County. The event was nothing short of inspiring, bringing together community leaders, families, and friends for an unforgettable evening of celebration, gratitude, and recognition.

Held at the Lodge at Hanson Park, the ceremony spotlighted the dedicated individuals and teams who went above and beyond in 2025 to serve others and make a lasting impact on the community. Guests were treated to heartfelt speeches, emotional tributes, and a collective sense of pride in the good work happening every day across Loudoun. “The generosity that fuels our community is inspiring, especially when we bring volunteers from all types of organizations together in one place” said Jenny Tomlinsom, Executive Director of Loudoun Cares. “We are proud to honor all of the County’s volunteers whose dedication helps to change lives.”

Winners of the Outstanding Volunteer Awards for 2025:

Adult Category

• Outstanding Adult Volunteer Award: Natasha Magrath
• Outstanding Adult Volunteer Team Award: Loudoun Retired Educators Association
  
  

Senior Category

• Outstanding Senior Volunteer Award: Faridah Abdul-Latif, Jean McCaw
  
  

Youth Category

• Gabriella Miller Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award: Brayden Belsky
• Outstanding Youth Team: Claude Moore Community Builders
  
  

Specialty Categories

• Outstanding Community or Civic Organization Team Award: Loudoun VICAP Medicare Counseling Team

• Volunteer Team:  Chetana Foundation DC Metro Chapter

• Judy Hines Service of a Lifetime Award: Eva Smith
• Good Neighbor Recognition Award: Laura Stringfellow

In addition to Loudoun Care’s acknowledgement of the winners in each of the categories above, each member of the Board of Supervisors was asked to recognize someone in their District who has made a unique impact and for our Chair-at-large to recognize a volunteer Countywide. The District winners are:

• At-large: Kim Tapper of A Place to Be

• Sterling District: Cheryl Villalobos of The Sterling Foundation
• Broad Run District: April Taylor of the Catch A Meal Program
• Leesburg District: Jack McNamee of the Loudoun Invasive Removal Alliance (LIRA)
• Algonkian District: Bill Niedringhaus and Karen Jones of the Potomac National Heritage Trail Association
• Little River District: Jessica Monte of the Loudoun Youth Poet Laureate Program and Nancy Sander of the Loudoun Invasive Removal Alliance
• Ashburn District: Griffin Cook of the Advisory Commission on Youth (ACOY)
• Dulles District: Kristine Kanz of the Lunch Program at Dulles South Senior Center
• Catoctin District: Tom Watson of the Dodona Manor Vegetable Garden

Loudoun Cares extends heartfelt congratulations to all of this year’s winners and nominees. Their stories of service serve as powerful examples of the change that’s possible when people show up for one another.

About Loudoun Cares

Loudoun Cares is a Leesburg-based nonprofit serving the Loudoun County community for over 20 years through its mission of connecting those who serve with those in need to build a stronger community. We manage the information and referral hotline – the ConnectLine that connects residents with resources, information, or referrals to local services and support providers. The Loudoun Cares Volunteer Center is Loudoun’s only online county-wide portal connecting volunteers with local nonprofits in need of support. The Volunteer Center currently has over 350 nonprofits registered and receives between 80-100 new volunteer registrations each month. In 2025, Loudoun Cares helped fill 2836 volunteer opportunities. For more information about how to volunteer or to request volunteers, please visit www.loudouncares.org/volunteer/​ or call 703-669-2351. If you or someone you know needs help finding resources in the community, call 703-669-4636.