The Capitol Steps return to Reston Sunday for their 32nd annual performance to benefit Cornerstones.

The satirical and musical troupe pokes fun at all things Washington, politics and current events. It’s motto — “We put the MOCK in democracy.”

The performance is Sunday at 7 p.m., with a silent auction beginning at 6 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Reston.

This event helps raise funds for Cornerstones to aid families in need of shelter and affordable housing, as well as childcare, food and financial assistance.

Cornerstones said a limited number of tickets are available. Tickets can be purchased online at www.cornerstonesva.org. Cost: $75 for an individual seat; $900 for a table of 12.

Registration includes desserts and wines, and the opportunity to bid on items in the silent and live auctions led by Virginia Del. Ken Plum.

Photo courtesy of The Capitol Steps 

The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and Cornerstones announced the 2015 Best of Reston honorees — as well as new co-chairs of this year’s event  — at Comstock’s Reston Station Thursday night.

The honorees represent individuals and businesses who have given back to the community. They will be honored at a gala benefitting Cornerstones on April 30.

The last two Best of Reston galas raised a combined $1,178,000. That money enabled Cornerstones to double its stock of affordable housing in our community, said Jill Norcross, Chairman of Cornerstones’ Board of Directors.

Developers Boston Properties, Comstock, and The JBG Companies will serve as co-chairs, Best of Reston organizers announced.

“As a leading developer in Reston, Comstock takes its responsibility of building a strong community very seriously,” said Maggie Parker, Comstock’s Director of Communications and Public Outreach. “A community is more than its stations, roads and buildings; it is made up of the people who come from all walks of life. It’s an honor to be asked to
raise money for this incredible community resource.”

Parker also announced that the Best of Reston has already raised $325,000 — 65 percent of this year’s goal — from Reston businesses and individuals.

The 2015 honorees:

Larry Butler — Individual Community Leader 

Butler, Reston Association’s Senior Director of Parks and Recreation, has used his passion for the outdoors in volunteer work that includes the Reston Triathlon, the Reston Sprint Triathlon and the Reston Kids Triathlon. The latter event offers scholarships to 50 kids in need to get involved in the sport.

“His can-do attitude, insight and advice, and leadership in making connections across the community create the added value in every event or activity in which Larry is involved,” the Best of Reston committee said. Read More

Cornerstones has extended its Gifts for Kids drive through Monday, Dec. 8.

The Reston nonprofit is gathering gifts for kids of all ages whose families might not have the money for holiday gifts.

Cornerstones says they especially need gift cards for teens.

Gifts will be collected at Cornerstones’ main office, 11150 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 210, Reston, Friday, Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to noon; and Monday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Questions regarding this program?  Please contact Alacia Earley or call 571.323.9568.

Contributions from the community enabled Cornerstones to distribute more than 900 Thanksgiving baskets and grocery certificates to families in need over the weekend.

The Reston nonprofit says that about 100 volunteers, including Individuals, families, and volunteer groups such as scouts, religious organizations, businesses, and schools, helped distribute the items on Saturday.

Each family was provided with a Thanksgiving basket, many of which were decorated by donors with holiday messages and pictures.

The baskets included:

• 3 cans assorted veggies and 2 cans fruit
• 1 bottle cooking oil; 2 lb. bag of flour and 2 lb. bag of sugar
• 1 box instant potatoes or macaroni & cheese or stuffing
• 1 box rice, 1 box biscuit or muffin mix
• 1 snack (pretzels, chips, nuts, etc.)
• 1 box of dessert mix
• 1 $25 gift card (Giant/Safeway/Shoppers) for the purchase of a turkey/ham entrée

“For many in our community with stressed budgets and financial challenges, a Thanksgiving dinner just isn’t possible,” said Cornerstones CEO Kerrie Wilson.

“Cornerstones has been hosting this annual Thanksgiving food drive for more than a decade, to allow families in need in our community to focus on paying bills, buying food, and remaining in their homes.”

Cornerstones is also holding a winter coat drive and a Gifts for Kids drive this holiday season. Visit Cornerstones’ website for more details.

Photos courtesy of Cornerstones

Nov. 1 marks the beginning of Cornerstones annual coat drive.

The Reston nonprofit that helps people who are homeless or experiencing poverty has been collecting coats for those in need the last few weeks. The organization will continue collecting new or gently used coats through November in order to aid those in the community who can use a warm winter jacket as winter approaches.

Need a coat?

Stop by 11484 Washington Plaza West at Lake Anne Plaza, Room 320. Hours: Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to noon; Thursdays, 6 to 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Closed on Federal Holidays and Saturday, Nov. 29.

Have coats to give?

Cornerstones will take donations of children and adult-sized coats, as well as new hats, gloves and scarves, at the same location. All sizes are needed, but there is an extra need from children’s sized and men’s XXL-5XL.

Walking For Cornerstones — On Sunday, a record-breaking crowd of 300 participants walked from the Embry Rucker Community Shelter to St. Anne’s Episcopal Church and back (about two miles) in Cornerstones 11th Annual Help the Homeless Walk. The funds raised will help provide basic and essential items, such as pillows, dishes and food, for those who moved into stable housing through Cornerstones’ Rapid Re-Housing Challenge. [Cornerstones]

Reston On The Rise — Financial website Nerd Wallet says Reston is No. 10 among Cities on the Rise in Virginia. Yeah, yeah, Reston’s not a city, but it does earn kudos from the site for its population growth and high employment rate. [Nerd Wallet]

Truland Truly Was In The Red — Reston-based electrical contractor Truland Group Inc. was nearly $23.7 million in the red when it suddenly shut down nearly three months ago, according to financial data it submitted with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Alexandria late last week. [Washington Business Journal]

Skate Competition at Lake Fairfax — The A-Frame Challenge is coming to Lake Fairfax Park’s skate park Saturday. The event will test the skills of some of the area’s best skaters. Entries are open, or just watch as a spectator. [A-Frame Challenge]

Do you know a business or individual that represents the Best of Reston?

Then nominate them by Nov. 7 for the 24th annual Best of Reston Awards.

The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and Cornerstones team together annually to honor those who have made an impact in the community.

The 2015 awards will take place on April 30 at the Hyatt Regency Reston.

Proceeds from the Best of Reston benefit the programs of Cornerstones, which provides affordable housing and comprehensive support services to individuals and families in need.

The Best of Reston set — and met — a goal of raising $1 million over the last two years to aid Cornerstones. That enabled the nonprofit to purchase 50 homes to add to its stock of affordable housing in the community, said Cornerstones CEO Kerrie Wilson.

Here is the criteria for selection, which is done by committee:

Awardees will be selected for working selflessly without consideration of recognition to improve the greater Reston community/Dulles Corridor region served by the sponsoring organizations. While the awardee is not required to reside or be headquartered in Reston, the awardee’s contributions must benefit the greater Reston/Dulles area.

Additionally:

• Completed nomination forms are due Friday, Nov. 7 by 5:00 p.m. to allow selection committee review for completeness. The committee may request additional information of nominators who will have up until Nov. 21 to provide clarifying information (if needed).
• Applicants may nominate themselves or their own businesses/organizations.
• Selections and notifications will be completed by mid-December.
• Award recipients will be publicly announced on Jan. 8 at a joint Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and Cornerstones media event.
• Honorees must be able to attend the April 30, 2015 Best of Reston Community Service Awards and be available in January-March for video production.

Click the award category below to nominate online or download the nomination form here.

• Individual/Family Community Leader(s)
• Civic/Community Group(s)/NonprofitOrganization
• Employee-Owned Company/Small Business Leader (2-100 employees)
• Corporate Business Leader (101+ employees)
• Special Award: Vade Bolton-Ann Rodriquez Legacy Award Entrusting Our Community’s Future
• Robert E. Simon Lifetime Achievement Award, which is occasionally given by the Selection Committee in honor of Reston’s founder to a previous Best of Reston award winner whose vision, spirit, compassion and belief in our community has made Reston the great place that it is, and who serves as a model of continued engagement and ongoing service.

Photo: Reston founder and Best of Reston 2014 Gala honorary chair Bob Simon/Credit: Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce.

(Updated at 7 p.m.) Reston residents can get some exercise this weekend and help needy people at the same time.

The Reston-based service organization Cornerstones will hold its 11th annual Help the Homeless Community Walk on Sunday to raise funds for locals the group has placed in their own homes.

Funds raised by the walk will buy essentials like food and household items for people who have moved into stable homes, spokeswoman Angela Suarez said.

“Fairfax is such a wealthy county, but we actually have a lot of homeless families. We have homeless families who are sleeping in their cars. We have homeless families who are sleeping in the woods,” she said. “And we can help them.”

The organization oriented toward self-sufficiency and helping clients get back on their feet sees people coping with unemployment, disabilities and aging, Suarez said.

Cornerstones, formerly called Reston Interfaith, runs the 70-bed Embry Rucker Community Shelter. The nonprofit found homes for 18 families and another 28 individuals between July 1 and Sept. 30, Suarez said.

More than 1,200 people are homeless in Fairfax County on a given night, Cornerstones says. Nearly a third of these are children.

Check-in for the 2-mile walk is set to begin at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, with the walk starting at 1:30 p.m. Adults age 18 and older pay $25, kids age 17 and younger give $20, and families with three or more walkers give $50. Walkers will start at the shelter (11975 Bowman Towne Dr.), head to St. Anne’s Episcopal Church (1700 Wainwright Dr.) and loop back.

Cornerstones and Mayflowers are gearing up for the third annual Reston Town Center Help the Homeless Walk Thursday at noon.

Cornerstones says more than 300 participants have signed up for the walk, in which participants will walk from Mayflowers to Embry Rucker Community Shelter and back.

Several groups from Reston Town Center-based businesses such as Microsoft and Leidos will also participate. Two businesses making an impact: Primatics, which will present a $25,000 check at the event as well as well as Cooley, the law office that will give $25,100 that employees have raised to help the homeless.

Participants will walk for a family or individual housed through Cornerstones’ Rapid Re-Housing Challenge. Cornerstones’ goal for the project is to house 15 families and 25 individuals from July through September.

The first 200 people to check in will receive a floral umbrella from Mayflowers.

Want to walk? Here is what you need to know?

Entry fee is $25 ($20 for youth). Sponsorship of families in need is also available. Visit Cornerstones online to register.

Participants will gather at Mayflowers Floral Studio, 11959 Market St. in the Promenade, for opening remarks by organizers and Delegate Ken Plum and Supervisor Cathy Hudgins.

Photo: Mayflowers owner May Bernhardt with floral umbrellas to give away at walk on Thursday/Credit: Mayflowers

As Cornerstones and Kids R First team up for their annual back to school drive, the nonprofits have found more need in the community than ever before.

Cornerstones is seeking donations of 3,200 backpacks to give to Reston and Herndon children in need. That’s 1,000 more backpacks than last year, Cornerstones says.

The backpacks, which Kids R First fills with school supplies, are given to Cornerstones’ clients as well as students who qualify for free and reduced lunch, an indicator of poverty.

Here is how to donate:

Visit Cornerstones to pledge the number of backpacks you plan to donate.

Purchase new backpacks (no wheels or corporate logos, please). There is a need backpacks for students at all levels.

Deliver the backpacks to Cornerstones Administrative Office, 11150 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 210, Reston. Drop off backpacks weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Aug. 12.

Backpacks can be purchased through Cornerstones’ Amazon Wish List, and the backpacks will be mailed to Cornerstones.

In addition to backpacks, Cornerstones’ case managers are requesting donations of new underwear for elementary school age children. Payless gift card donations ($25) are also welcome so that Cornerstones’ young clients can get a new pair of shoes.

Cornerstones, the Reston-based nonprofit that aids families in need of affordable housing, has set a goal this year of doubling its stock of available units it makes available.

This week, Cornerstones, formerly Reston Interfaith, showed off a newly renovated townhouse in Herndon, its 53rd property. The organization owns townhouses in Herndon, Reston and Chantilly. Working with partners such as HomeAid of Northern Virginia, The Container Store and Graceful Spaces, Cornerstones renovates and furnished the units and rents them to families that need housing.

The townhomes are rented at affordable rates to residents who earn half or less than the area’s median income — most of whom are transitioning out of homelessness, says Cornerstones.

“Because of the support of partners like HomeAid of Northern Virginia, The Container Store and Graceful Spaces, Cornerstones has been able to help families and individuals for more than 40 years now by providing a variety of affordable housing options in our area,” says Cornerstones CEO Kerrie Wilson. “The loss of housing vouchers, however, makes it increasingly more difficult for working families to find housing within their budget.”

Cornerstones had three homes for rent when the first Best of Reston awards were held 23 years ago. HomeAid is among the 2014 awardees for their good work in the community, and Graceful Spaces was honored two years ago.

To help meet the goal of doubling the stock — a challenge issued by Reston founder and Best of Reston 2014 co-chair Bob Simon — Cornerstones and the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce have launched the “I Stand with Bob” fundraising campaign.

Local artist David Adamusko has created a bronze bust of Simon, which has been traveling to events in Reston. Patrons can get their picture taken with it for a donation to Cornerstones. Simon turns 100 years old in April.

The Best of Reston Awards gala is April 10 at the Hyatt Regency Reston.

Photos courtesy of Cornerstones.

Cornerstones board member Jill Norcross has been named the non-profit’s chairman of the board, replacing Stuart Rakoff,  who died in January.

Rakoff had been named as Cornerstones’ (formerly Reston Interfaith) chairman in summer 2013, and served until his death on Jan. 6 from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Norcross, representing St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church of Herndon, joined the Board in 2006, and has served as the Secretary and most recently Vice Chair, as well as Treasurer of the Cornerstones Housing Corporation Board.

Cornerstones has helped some 250,000 area residents enduring tough economic times since its founding in 1970.

Norcross is the former Executive Director of HAND (Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers) and has had vast experience working in the affordable housing sector. 

“I am honored to follow Stu as chair of Cornerstones,” said Norcross. “He was a truly remarkable man, everything he did in his life was based on his love and compassion for others.”

Sara Leonard, representing Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, was elected Vice Chair, filling the position held by Norcross.  Leonard will continue as the board’s Governance Committee chair in addition to her duties as vice chair, Cornerstones said.

Rakoff was an early homeless advocate and volunteer at the Embry Rucker Community Shelter, and served on the Reston Interfaith (now Cornerstones) Board in the early years of the organization. He returned to the board as an at-large member in 2008, and quickly stepped into leadership roles, guiding a strategic plan focused on quality, affordable housing, strengthening wrap-around services and community building and engagement.

Rakoff understood the importance of measuring performance and worked with management to achieve an agency-wide evaluation program to assure the quality and impact of Cornerstones’ programs for working families, homeless, low-income and vulnerable neighbors, said Cornerstones CEO Kerrie Wilson.

Two new At-Large members will also be joining the Cornerstones Board of Directors — Katherine K. “Kate” Hanley and Tracey White.

Hanley, of Reston, served as the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia from 2006-2010 under Governor Tim Kaine, and was Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors from 1995-2003. She served previously as a county Supervisor for the Providence District from 1986-1995, and on the Fairfax County School Board from 1984-1986. She has also served a variety of non-profits.

White is the Vice President of Community and Government Relations at Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) in the Capital Division where she serves as primary liaison for HCA to community, corporate and civic entities in the Northern Virginia market. She was the president of the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and the Director of Corporate Relations at Children’s National Medical Center, among other positions. White was awarded Reston Citizen of the Year in 2000 and Virginia Chamber Executive of the Year in 2000.

“These extraordinary leaders bring deep knowledge of our region and keen insights on the role of housing and human services as an integral component of a thriving community,” says Norcross. “We are proud to have them join an already outstanding board of directors representing Cornerstones’ sponsoring religious organizations and community.”

Five individuals and three businesses/nonprofits who have had an impact on Reston through community service were announced as the honorees for the 2014 Best of Reston.

This year’s class will be honored at the 23rd annual gala on April 10 at the Hyatt Regency Reston. Reston founder Robert E. Simon — who will turn 100 in April — is a 2014 Best of Reston honorary chair. He set a goal last year of raising $1 million over 2013 and ’14.

The Best of Reston, sponsored by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and Cornerstones (formerly Reston Interfaith) brings together the business and nonprofit communities in a “true partnership,” says Karen Cleveland, co-chair of the event.

Last year’s event raised a record $467,000 to benefit Cornerstones, so the committee is well on the way to reaching its goal, said Best of Reston co-chair Casey Veatch.

The honorees were chosen by a volunteer committee. They were introduced at a reception at Google’s Reston offices Thursday. They are:

Individual Community Leaders

Carol Ann Bradley — The former educator has given back to the community through volunteer work with Global Camps Africa, Friends of the Reston Regional Library and the Embry Rucker Community Shelter, among others. She help found the mentoring organizations The Links, Inc., and Educators Then, Now and Forever. She has also served on the board of the Reston Community Center.

Jerry Ferguson — Ferguson is the director of Development and Outreach for Fairfax Public Access. He has donated many hours to produce and film videos to aid fundraising and public relations for organizations such as FACETS, Leadership Fairfax, Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) and Cornerstones.

Cate Fulkerson –The Reston Association CEO is also the chair of Reston’s Character Counts! Coalition, chairs GRCC’s annual Ethics Day and is an Emerging Leaders Institute Mentor.

Bonnie Haukness — A Reston Realtor, Haukness chairs the annual Reston Home Tour to benefit the Reston Historic Trust. She also co-chairs the annual Capital Steps benefit for Cornerstones and was instrumental in establishing scholarships for campers at Reston Association summer camps, among other projects.

Davida Luehrs — Luehrs uses her life experience to aid the low-vision community. She has been a leader with the Northern Virginia Chapter of the Foundation Fighting Blindness, the Sterling Lions, the American Council of the Blind and the Visually Impaired People of Reston. She established the local VisionWalk and has raised more than $1 million since 2007. She also volunteers with the Boy and Girl Scouts, Herndon Middle and High School Bands and Reston Swim Team Association.

Civic/Community Leader

HomeAid Northern Virginia — This group was founded in 2001 by members of the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association. HomeAid helps renovate shelters, transitional and affordable housing and has completed 70 projects and helped more than 10,000 people.

Small Business Leader

Brennan & Waite, PLC — This legal firm, founded by husband and wife Matthew Brennan and the late Carol Waite, has supported GRCC, Habitat for Humanity, Let’s Help Kids, and other local organizations. Brennan has worked in the community to help other schools adopt and Ethics Day program, recruited candidates for Leadership Fairfax and funded scholarships so nonprofit leaders could participate.

Corporate Business Leader

Cooley, LLC — Large law firm Cooley, with offices at Reston Town Center, encourages employees to give back. The firm matches employee fundraising and cumulatively contributed more than $1 million last year. More than 466 Cooley lawyers have contributed more than 33,000 hours on 687 pro bono matters annually.

For Best of Reston sponsorship and ticket info, visit Cornerstones’ website.

Stuart Rakoff, longtime Reston resident and the Chairman of the Board of Cornerstones (formerly Reston Interfaith) died Sunday after a battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Dr. Rakoff had bravely shared his 16-month battle with the disease in regular blog posts, the most recent one posting on Sunday.

“It feels like the end is getting closer. … Surrounded here by so much love and care I feel I am ready for the next step,” he wrote in his last blog entry. “I have no regrets at all — I have had a full life, touched and been touched by such wonderful family and friends. So if there is to be a final lesson for me it is that love is the ultimate gift — love and honesty.”

A native of New Hampshire, Dr. Rakoff, 69, was married for more than 47 years to his high school sweetheart, Roz. He held an undergraduate degree from Colby College and a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Minnesota. The Rakoffs moved to Reston in 1974.

Dr. Rakoff had a long career history in human capital strategy, policy analysis, organization effectiveness and service quality in public and private organizations.  He served as Director of Manpower Planning and Analysis in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and implemented programs and policies and advised client organizations on issues of human resource utilization and organization design and change.

During his career, he designed manpower programs for the U.S. Army and the Internal Revenue Service, among others.

He later founded his own consulting firm, Rakoff & Associates LLC, in Reston.

Dr. Rakoff took over the chair position at Cornerstones last year, despite his flagging health.

“I am a cornerstone because I believe deeply that it is only through service that we attain the humanity and decency we strive to achieve,” he wrote as part of his mission statement when Reston Interfaith changed names in 2013. “I am a cornerstone because I believe that when we act in unison we can create stronger community and families. I am a cornerstone because I accept my personal responsibility to the community.

“I am a cornerstone because I participate in the important work that helps our neighbors strengthen their lives and the whole community and that adds meaning to the aspirational words we all speak. I am a cornerstone because to be less would mean walking away from my heritage and values, as well as failing to be an exemplar for my grandchildren. I am a cornerstone because my deeds will always speak louder and more clearly than my words. “

Cornerstones CEO Kerrie Wilson called Dr. Rakoff “a great man and a great friend.”

Dr. Rakoff was diagnosed with ALS in the fall of 2012, but tackled the disease with a positive attitude. He worked out with a trainer at Reston Sport & Health, still traveled through the Southwestern U.S. last spring and to London and Paris over the summer. Until about three months ago, could be seen driving around Reston in his convertible Volkswagen.

A few months ago, when Dr. Rakoff began having trouble speaking, he enlisted the help of an iPad program in which a computerized voice would speak his typed words. He still had a sense of humor and was not above making puns and throwing in a few swear words on the tablet.

Lisa Covert, a friend of Dr. Rakoff’s for more than 20 years, called him one of the most interesting and intelligent people around.

“He had such an uplifting spirit,” she said. “And such grace the way he handled his disease. He really made a difference in the lives of other people the way he shared his story.”

Covert says Dr. Rakoff’s many interests– travel, theatre, opera, art and the Boston Red Sox — made him a wealth of knowledge.

“I used to say he was my Google before there was Google,” said Covert. “And he was a gourmet cook. His Thanksgiving dinners were legendary.”

In addition to his wife, Dr. Rakoff is survived by his mother and brother, of Massachusetts; son Simon and daughter-in-law Jodi, of Reston; and grandchildren Ellie and Spencer.

Service information is pending.