In all that she does, from her part-time work as a Customer Service Ambassador at Dulles International Airport to her role as a Family Liaison (and everything in between), Fanny Laske-Salazar is helping others. And the impact of her actions is substantial. 

"Fanny works selflessly for the benefit of the community. She started as a community leader after seeing the need to voice the community's needs," said Carla Paredes Gomez, community health specialist, Fairfax County Health Department.

Fanny has served as a dedicated volunteer at organizations across Reston and Herndon for years. While the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic forced many people to scale back their community involvement, Fanny found a way to double hers. The pandemic put up new barriers, blocking access to food for many. Prior to the pandemic, many people who relied on food drives to sustain healthy meals, became too ill or needed to quarantine and were unable to travel to distribution sites. Fanny saw the need and became a food drive volunteer, delivering boxes and supplies to those in need across her community.  

For her birthday, instead gifts for herself, Fanny asked friends and family for diapers and other supplies that she could personally bring to single mothers, many of whom were left without employment or childcare as a result of the pandemic. 

Fanny widened her impact on others, again, when she became a Family Liaison at Herndon Middle School in September of 2020. As a Family Liaison, Fanny provides a connection between families and schools, and facilitates communications that help ensure everyone receives the information and support they need. The role of school Family Liaison became especially important during first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools were closed and classes were held virtually, and many children and their families were cut off from vital resources. Fanny, and other Family Liaisons, began not only acting as connectors between schools and families, but also between families and their communities. "When people were feeling disconnected and uncertain, Fanny took the initiative to create a WhatsApp group to keep the everyone informed," said Carla.

Having a positive impact is not only done through big actions, Fanny believes. She encourages everyone to do what they can. "People who want to help, but do not know how, can go to a community center, their children's schools, communicate with neighbors, or go to community events. Whether it is at a bus stop, or in the supermarket, any place you go you can make a difference. Even simply saying “have a nice day” to people can make an impact on others," Fanny said.

Fanny may not be a “formal” public health worker, but her projects in the community show that she is a public health champion. She makes sure people are fed, families are supported, and that everyone she meets with is listened to and cared for. 

"Helping every human being comes from my heart. Each human is unique, together we can make a better future for our children. It doesn't matter who you are or where you're from," said Fanny.