Welcome to the Rotary Club of Tysons Corner!
District Awardee: Tysons Rotarian Ambreen Rizvi (left) accepts a District 7610 International Service Award from Past District Governor Sheila Brennan (right) at the Club's June 27 meeting. Ambreen is the founder of Brigade of Mercy (BOM), a nonprofit organization that provides humanitarian aid locally and around the globe. Tysons Rotary and BOM have forged a strong partnership, including our local "Blessing Box" project that provides food, hygiene kits, clothing, and other items. Ambreen is the Club's Director of International Service. Adding her congratulations is Club President Tyra Garlington (center). Photo by Rick Kaplar
Dana Redux: Tysons Rotarians welcomed their new President for 2024-25 as Dana Ruff (right) was installed by Suzanne McDougall on June 23, 2024. The ceremony took place during a festive Club luncheon at Seasons 52 Restaurant in Tysons Corner Center. Suzanne then installed Dana's Board members for the Rotary year that begins July 1. This is Dana's second time at the helm, following her first term in 2002-03 - when she became the youngest president in Club history. Congrats, President Dana! Photo by Rick Kaplar
Earth Day 2024: On April 22, Tysons Rotary joined with Herndon-Reston Rotary and Celebrate Fairfax for an ambitious cleanup effort at The Parc at Tysons in support of Earth Day. The hardworking group enjoyed ice cream from Catherine Ahearn's Tysons Creamery afterward. Photo by Jane Nash
Rotary on the Vine: Tysons Rotarian Tim Long (right) samples one of the many offerings at the Club's spring fundraiser, "Rotary on the Vine," held at the Washington Golf & Country Club on April 12, 2024. The event theme was "Creating Hope in Our Community," especially among youth, elderly, and the marginalized. Tysons Rotary co-sponsored the event with the Dunn Loring-Merrifield Rotary Club, and recognized two community groups Tysons Rotary supports: Second Story in Vienna and Insight Memory Care Center in Fairfax. Congrats to event chairman Burt Heacock and his team on another successful fundraiser! Photo by Bill Knopf
Straight Talk: Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), an Honorary Member of Tysons Rotary, joined us for breakfast on March 28 during his Recess Roundup and discussed the challenges of passing legislation in the current Congress. On a lighter note, he remarked: “Always a fun time with my friends from Tysons Rotary Club in Tysons Corner! As an Honorary Rotarian, I’m committed to following the Four Way Test Pledge in my work on Capitol Hill.” He gathered with Club President Tyra Garlington (center), members, and guests after his talk.
Bringing Good Cheer: Ann Cookery Hill, director of development for Second Story in Vienna, receives the "big check" from the Rotary Club of Tysons Corner Foundation at the Tysons Rotary Holiday Breakfast on Dec. 14, 2023. Presenting the check are Foundation Board member Burt Heacock (center) and Treasurer David Danner (right). Click on "Read more..." for additional photos and recipients. Photo by Bill Knopf
Vegas Vibe: Tysons Rotary President Tyra Garlington enjoys a moment with Las Vegas-style singer Tony Sands at a rip-roaring Rotary holiday bash on Dec. 8. The Mather Tysons became the Sands Hotel in Vegas for one magical evening as Tony belted out standards from the Rat Pack era of greats like Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. The party was a joint effort with the Dunn Loring-Merrifield Rotary Club and guests included District Governor Rene Laws. Ring-a-ding-ding! Photo by Bill Knopf
They're Off! Runners of all ages braved a chilly morning to take part in the 5th Annual Tysons Rotary 5K Turkey Trot on Nov. 12. The certified course started on Tysons Blvd. and wound around the Tysons Galleria area. Proceeds went to the Rotary Club of Tysons Corner Foundation to fund the many charities, community groups, and scholarships supported by Tysons Rotary. Photo by Bill Knopf
Clean Water: Tysons Rotarian Tim Long (above) traveled as a team member on the Zambia Due Diligence Trip for the District 7610 Strategic Water Alliance (SWA) June 8-16, 2023. The trip included visits to 21 schools, one orphanage, one correctional facility, and one hospital. Tysons Rotary is one of more than a dozen area Rotary clubs participating in the SWA, which provides funding for wells and sanitation facilities in African countries. Tim reported on his trip at our breakfast meeting on Sept. 28, 2023.
Helping Kids: Tysons Rotary has adopted Westgate Elementary School to lift up the lives of students who need a little extra love. With the support of Fairfax County Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik’s office, we provided supply-filled backpacks in September. Tysons President Tyra Garlington (left), Treasurer Burt Heacock (center right), and Community Service Chair Willie Bailey (behind the camera) did the honors, meeting with Westgate Elementary Principal Hallie Demetriades (center left) and school social worker Jessica Myers (right). The Club will also provide coats in November and toys in December. Supervisor Palchik is an honorary member of the Tysons Rotary Club.
Vision of Service: Tysons Rotary is proud to collaborate with Brigade of Mercy (BoM), a nonprofit organization founded by Tysons Rotary Past President Ambreen Rizvi, that provides humanitarian relief to the destitute, homeless, orphans, refugees, and victims of war. Locally, BoM has helped more than 200 Afghan refugee families; built a food pantry at a school in Arlington serving low-income students; assisted teens, young mothers, and homeless youth at Second Story in Vienna (pictured here); and provided food and supplies to residents of New Hope Housing. Tysons Rotarians helped BoM celebrate its five-year milestone at a reception at the McLean Community Center on Sept. 24, 2023. Congratulations to Ambreen and her Brigade of Mercy!
Building Bridges: President Tyra Garlington welcomed two Rotary Youth Exchange students to Tysons Rotary on Aug. 10. Ryosuke Takahashi (center), from the island of Honshu in Japan, was in the midst of a whirlwind three-week visit to the States as the guest of Maximillian (Max) Mojzis (right) and his family in Springfield. Max had stayed with Ryosuke’s family for three weeks in July. The boys gave a fascinating slide presentation of their impressions of each others’ countries. Max is a junior at West Springfield High School while Ryosuke is starting his first year of high school in Japan.
Ready To Lead: Incoming President Tyra Garlington holds her gavel after being installed as Club President on June 15 by District Governor Sheila Brennan. Tyra's installation dinner at The Mather Tysons was a festive event enjoyed by fellow Rotarians, friends, and Rotary leaders. Tyra will serve as Tysons Rotary President from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. She is no stranger to the job, having served as Club President in 2019-20. Tyra pledged her watchwords would be "servant leadership, fellowship, diversity, and integrity." Photo by Bill Knopf
Ready for Next Year! Governor-Elect Rene' Laws (left) brought her boundless enthusiasm to Tysons Rotarians when she shared her vision for Rotary Year 2023-24 over breakfast on May 11. Club President-Elect Tyra Garlington (center) said of her: "Rene' is all about clarifying goals, rolling her sleeves up, and doing whatever it takes to help Rotary win. She is passionate about serving other people." Enjoying the moment is Laurie Kent.
Everyone's Irish: The Tysons Corner and McLean Rotary clubs got together on March 17 for a St. Patrick's Day bash that exceeded all expectations at The Mather Tysons! Enjoying the festivities are Tysons Rotarians Art Chantker (center), Tim Long, and Laurie Kent. Robin Kent is at left.
It's a Party! Tysons Rotarians welcome two new members at the Club's breakfast meeting on March 9, 2023: Willie Bailey (third from left) of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Dept. and graphic artist Farida Nebulime (online). The ceremony was the Club's first hybrid induction.
Celebrating Women in Rotary: Ronnie Chantker joined the Tysons Corner Rotary Club on Jan. 30, 2003, where she served as Treasurer, Vice President/Fundraising Chair, President-Elect/Membership Chair, President, and Rotary Foundation Chair. She is currently District Rotary Foundation Chair and, starting July 1, will serve as District Paul Harris Society Chair. On the District level, Ronnie served as GSE Chair, Area Membership Coordinator, Assistant Governor for N.E. Fairfax County, and District Governor (2017-18). She is a Paul Harris Fellow, Paul Harris Society Member, Triple Crown Member, and Benefactor. Ronnie was awarded the Club Builder Award and The Rotary Foundation District Service Award by the District. She is also a graduate of the Rotary Leadership Institute. Ronnie and her husband, Art, are Major Donors.
Holiday Cheer: At the Tysons Rotary Holiday Party on Dec. 8, 2022, 10 community organizations received checks from the Rotary Club of Tysons Corner Foundation to support their work. Among the recipients was the Foundation Fighting Blindness (above). Presenting the "big check" were Burt Heacock (left), Foundation Treasurer David Danner, and Ingrid Parris-Hicklin (right). Photo by Bill Knopf
On Your Mark: The Fourth Annual Tysons 5K Turkey Trot hit the streets of Tysons Corner bright and early on Sunday, Nov. 13. This popular community race drew runners of all ages and featured a certified 5K course, cash prizes, and T-shirts. Proceeds will benefit local charitable organizations and fund college scholarships. Photo by Rick Kaplar
Welcome, Mr. Chairman! Tysons Rotarians welcome Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay (center) as the Club’s newest Honorary member. Chairman McKay was elected Lee District Supervisor in 2007 and Board Chairman in 2019. Since joining the Board, Jeff has been a champion for equity, education, affordable housing, transportation, revitalization, and the environment in Fairfax County.
Live in Reston: "Rotary on the Vine," one of Tysons Rotary's major fundraising events, took place May 14 at the Reston Lake House after a two-year absence. The event featured wine tastings, delicious food, and a lively jazz combo. Proceeds from the wine gala will help fund the Club's charitable donations and scholarships for the next year. Kudos to Burt Heacock and his volunteers for a stellar evening! Photo by Rick Kaplar
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Club 5840, District 7610
Suite 1700
Vienna, VA 22182
United States of America