2007 Barbara Varon Volunteer Award Recipient Nancy Portee Honored

Fairfax County Office of Public Affairs
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 551
Fairfax, VA 22035-0065
Contact: Merni Fitzgerald, Director of Public Affairs
703-324-3187, TTY 711, Fax 703-324-2010
Media Pager: 703-324-NEWS (6397)
publicaffairs@fairfaxcounty.gov

Oct. 15, 2007

2007 Barbara Varon Volunteer Award Recipient Nancy Portee Honored

For her efforts with the Fairfax County Department of Family Services BeFriend-A-Child program, Nancy Portee was honored by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors with the 2007 Barbara Varon Volunteer Award at its Oct. 15 meeting. The award, named in honor of the memory of Barbara Varon, former chairman of the Fairfax County Electoral Board, was established to recognize a Fairfax County resident’s dedication to improving the community through volunteer service.

The BeFriend-A-Child program invites adults to provide companionship and guidance to children between the ages of five and 12 who have been, or are at risk of being, abused or neglected. For over 20 years, Portee has raised funds and contributed thousands of service hours to ensure the program fulfills its mission. She also has volunteered at homeless shelters and made various other contributions as a volunteer.

The award nominees must reside in Fairfax County, demonstrate an appreciation for the diversity of the community’s population, exhibit patriotism, show evidence of having a positive effect on the community and be known for encouraging others to do the same.

“Nancy Portee embodies these attributes,” said Office of Equity Programs Acting Director Martha Villanigro-Santiago. “She has been instrumental in finding solutions to difficulties encountered in managing the BeFriend-A-Child program and linking the private, non-profit and public sectors to benefit children at risk for neglect or abuse.”

For more information regarding this award, contact Villanigro-Santiago at 703-324-2207, TTY 703-222-5494, or visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ohrep/epd/varonaward.htm

###

For more news and information, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news.