Fairfax County Park Foundation Board Director Stephen Thormahlen receives the Distinguished Volunteer Service Award. Photo contributed
Fairfax County Park Foundation Board Director Stephen Thormahlen was honored with the Distinguished Volunteer Service Award at the Virginia Recreation and Park Society’s 64th Annual Conference this month in Tysons Corner.
Former Board Chair and Director Emeritus Thormahlen has provided 16 years of volunteer service to the Park Foundation, which supports the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) by raising private funds, obtaining grants and creating partnerships that supplement tax dollars to meet community needs for park land, facilities and services. During his tenure at the Foundation, numerous projects were completed due to his positive vision and steadfast guidance. Generous personal contributions from he and his wife, Adriane, inspired others to give as well. These gifts supported Rec-PAC summer camps, the Combo Classic Golf Tournament, and trails construction, improvement and maintenance.
Thormahlen is a retired PNC Wealth Management Executive, and in addition to his personal giving for the Arts in the Parks performance series, the PNC Foundation has provided a decade of grants totaling $92,500 that serve as the Signature Sponsor of the Children’s Summer Entertainment Series. Going forward, the Burke Lake Park Improvement campaign will benefit from the largess of the Thormahlen Family Trust.
In addition to his monetary gifts, Thomahlen has been generous with his time. He volunteered for more than 500 hours at various board meetings, executive committee meetings, presentations before the Board of Supervisors and the FCPA, volunteering at special Park Authority and Park Foundation public events and at outside meetings.
The VRPS program honors individuals, departments and organizations throughout Virginia who have demonstrated excellence during the previous year in 14 different categories. Applications are judged by a jury of peers. The mission of VRPS is to unite all professionals, students, and interested lay persons engaged in the field of recreation, parks, and other leisure services in the Commonwealth of Virginia.