NVFS Celebrates Accomplished Community Leaders and Community Support

18th Annual Road to Independence Gala to spotlight Legend of Northern Virginia J. Hamilton Lambert and Community Champion Karen Schaufeld

(Oakton, Va. – April 29, 2016) Since 1924, Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) has been dedicated to helping families and individuals find new paths to self-reliance and brighter futures. Each year, NVFS helps more than 34,000 people find hope and meaning through a variety of program areas: early childhood services, child placement services, health services, legal services, housing services, intervention and prevention services, and workforce development services.

The 18th annual Road to Independence Gala will celebrate NVFS as the leading resource for families in need in Northern Virginia. It also will acknowledge the generous donors and supporters who are committed to the community and the work of NVFS, as well as the vision and dedication of top community leaders through its Legend of Northern Virginia and Community Champion awards.

This year, NVFS will recognize J. Hamilton Lambert and Karen Schaufeld for their extensive service and commitment to the Northern Virginia community.

Legend of Northern Virginia J. Hamilton Lambert has long been a prominent figure in Northern Virginia, including 10 years of service as the county executive for Fairfax County, as well as his current roles as executive director of the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation and founder of J. Hamilton Lambert and Associates. He has served more than 30 local organizations and received numerous honors for his work in the region, including Washingtonian of the Year by Washingtonian magazine and Citizen of the Year by the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce.

Community Champion Karen Schaufeld is the founder and president of 100WomenStrong, a granting organization that strategically invests in nonprofits and programs that enrich the lives of Loudoun County residents, and co-founder of All Ages Read Together (AART), a school-readiness program that brings volunteers of all ages and low-income preschool-aged children together. She is also an advocate for the growth of renewable energy in Virginia and founded PoweredByFacts.com to spread awareness about Virginia energy policy.

“We greatly admire the strategic vision, collaboration and dedication of both J. Hamilton Lambert and Karen Schaufeld in creating a stronger Northern Virginia community,” states NVFS CEO and President Stephanie Berkowitz. “They serve as fervent leadership examples for the rest of us as we strive to build a region in which all of our residents can thrive.”

The event will take place Friday, May 13, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner (7920 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA). Individual tickets are available for $250 at nvfs.org/gala.