Welcome to the Rotary Club of Tysons Corner!
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
Fighting Polio: Tysons Rotary President Elect Brian Mansir holds Polio Plus donation recognition awards for 2019-20 and 2020-21, finally presented in person (due to Covid) in March 2022. The occasion was the Chesapeake President Elect Training Seminar (C-PETS) held at the Westfield Marriott in Chantilly, Va., on March 4-5, 2022. Sitting next to Brian is District Governor Pat Borowski of Rotary District 7610. Tysons Rotary has been a long-time supporter of Rotary International's effort to eradicate polio worldwide. Photo by Jane Nash
They're Off: Runners from every age group braved a chilly morning to compete in the Tysons Rotary 5K Turkey Trot on Nov. 14, 2021. Approximately 200 persons registered for the race, which started on Tysons Blvd. and wound through the Galleria area of Tysons. Proceeds from the event benefited local charities supported by Tysons Rotary. Lerner Enterprises was the principal sponsor of the 5K race, a community event now in its third year. Photo by Rick Kaplar
Stars and Stripes: The “Flags for Heroes” program co-sponsored by the Tysons Corner and McLean Rotary clubs was a perfect fit for Veterans Day. Ronnie Chantker (left), a Rotary Past District Governor, Tysons Rotarian, and co-chair of Flags for Heroes, presents a Gold Level “Red-White-and-Blue Hero Sponsor” plaque to State Farm agent Lynn Heinrichs at a Veterans Day ceremony in McLean on Nov. 11, 2021. Flags for Heroes enables individuals, companies, and organizations to honor their heroes with American Flags displayed in multiple locations throughout the McLean and Tysons communities on patriotic holidays. Photo by Pamela Danner
Made for Walkin’: The annual Walk for Water to benefit Rotary water projects in Zambia and elsewhere took place in person and virtually on Oct. 30, 2021. Among the biggest supporters were members of the Danner family. David and Pamela (pictured) participated from McLean, while their far-flung family and friends participated virtually in Warrenton, Va., Bairradas, Portugal, Nurfingen, Germany (near Stuttgart), and Naples, Italy.
Start Trotting: The Tysons Rotary 5K Turkey Trot will return as a LIVE race on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 at 8 a.m.! Start line will be at Tysons Central Park, 1775 Tysons Blvd. in Tysons Corner. Registration fee is $35 until 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 12, and $40 on Nov. 13 and 14. Run, walk, or trot on this 5K certified course around Tysons Corner. (A virtual option on Nov. 13 and 14 is also available.) Packet pickup will be Saturday, Nov. 13 at Potomac River Running, 111 Maple Avenue W., Vienna, VA 22180 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. or at the race site starting at 7 a.m. on Nov. 14. Free race-day parking at 1775 Tysons Blvd. with garage access on Galleria Dr. For more information and to register go to www.TysonsTurkeyTrot.com.
Flags for Heroes: Tysons Rotarian and Past District Governor Ronnie Chantker speaks about "Flags for Heroes," a joint project with the McLean Rotary Club. Looking on is Ronnie's husband, Art Chantker, chair of the Rotary District 7610 Flags for Heroes Program. The occasion was the American Legion Memorial Day Program in McLean on May 31, 2021. Photo by Burt Heacock
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Club 5840, District 7610
Suite 1700
Vienna, VA 22182
United States of America