On Thursday, April 21, 2022, Food & Friends hosted our annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner & Awards Ceremony in person for the first time since before the pandemic. As the only community-based organization in the D.C. region delivering medically tailored meals, groceries, and friendship to our neighbors with serious illnesses, our volunteers are vital to our mission.
During the pandemic, thousands of volunteers packaged, prepared, and delivered meals. Thanks to them, our most vulnerable neighbors with pre-existing conditions did not have to face the increased risks of COVID-19 exposure. They took on more work because of the limitations of physical distancing. They added routes to their delivery shifts, responded to urgent requests, and helped us meet a surging demand for our services that only continues to grow today. So, to celebrate their devotion to others, our staff joyfully collaborated to put on a memorable and engaging event in honor of our volunteers, especially through the challenging months of the pandemic.
Volunteer Services Director, Katrina Mathis delivered a stirring speech in recognition of our volunteers. Carrie Stoltzfus, MPH, Executive Director poignantly emphasized what volunteers accomplished as a community in 2021, and Deirdre Page, Executive Assistant created magnificent archways of balloons.
Volunteers enjoyed catering from Mission Barbecue and Wegmans Food Markets donated desserts, including cookies, macaroons, and pastries from their bakery. DJ Two 7 spun Go-Go and R&B to get the crowd in a festive mood.
We honored individuals with 25, 20, 15, 10, and 5 years of service. We also bestowed the President's Volunteer Service Award (PVSA), the highest award a civilian can receive from the federal government for service to their community and country.
We had 100 Food & Friends volunteers qualify for the PVSA in 2021 and half of those volunteers were first-time honorees. The award consists of a certificate and a letter of achievement signed by the President of the United States. Scroll to the bottom for more photo highlights!
2021 Award Recipients
Years of Service
5-Year Volunteers
Andrew Block
Erica Jackson
Kurshanna Dean
Schallery Pope
10-Year Volunteers
Jerry Blasenstein
Nikita Alexander
Tanya Bethel
15-Year Volunteers
Beverly Billingsley
Dawn Ellis
20-Year Volunteers
Andy Zbikowski
Carol Bresler
25-Year Volunteers
Christian Faulkner
Marvene Horwitz
President’s Volunteer Service Award
PVSA Bronze Level
Alice Bishop*
Alvin Chen
Amy Heller*
Andrew Zbikowski
Ange Knutson*
Anna Barnes
Anthony Murray*
Aref Dajani
Arthur Sensenig*
Ashleigh Spunaugle*
Barbara Ryan*
Beth Foster*
Beth Kelley*
Bill Wooge
Brent Minor
Brie Sarakatsannis
Carolyn Dunlap
Christian Faulkner
Cindy Hausch-Booth*
Clare Palace*
Colleen Horton
David Bugg*
David Domenici
David Rapp
Deana Kensler*
Deborah (Debi) Patterson*
Deborah Simmons*
Debra Boylan
Dennis Cordell
Doris Epperson-Griffin
Earl Davy
Edgar Roman*
Eli Gadd*
Elizabeth Lee*
Ellen Fingerman
Gary Ender
Gayle Moseley*
Greg Holden
Greig Stewart
Hermene Rocamora
Hermine Dreyfuss
Hillary John*
Jean Sarah Lee
Jeffrey Hughes*
Jeffrey Naber
Jenni Lawhon*
Jennifer Himes
Jerry Blasenstein
Jill Peck
John Canderan
John Heaviside
Joslyn Ward*
Julia Biddle*
Katherine Bates*
Kyle Brown
LaCreda Drummond-Mondon
LaDedra Drummond
LaNae Twite
Laura Bartee*
Laura Peebles
Lawrence Bachorik*
Leonard Wolfenstein*
Linda Cash*
Linda Horton
Linda Schwartz*
Lisa Jensen
Margaret (Meg) Dallett
Mark Fisher*
Martin Ferrell*
Mary Anne Taylor*
Nancy Lazear
Nathea Lee
Percy Drummond*
Richard Scott
Ronald Boyd
Ronald Kipke
Sean Forschler*
Shira Reeves*
Stephen Estrada*
Thomas Gusdorff*
Trudi Davis*
Wil White
PVSA Silver Level
Charles Walton
Daniel (Danny) Gainsburg
Debra Whitford
Edith Livingstone*
Hugh Elmore Jr.
Joan Palmer-Sizemore
Leanne Tijero
Lillian Kuo
Linda Williams
Mary Ball*
Monesha Cary
Pamela Fountain
Ralph (Tom) Shierling
Robert (Bob) Jacobs*
William (Bill) Criger
PVSA Gold Level
Diana (Lea) Emerson
First Time PVSA Recipient*