Foundation Highlights

25th Annual Capitol Hill Community Achievement Awards Dinner on May 14th

Recipients of the 25th Annual Capitol Hill Community Achievement Awards--photo by Gayle Krughoff

On May 14, the Capitol Hill Community Foundation will host our 25th Annual Capitol Hill Community Achievement Awards Dinner honoring three exceptional individuals for their outstanding contributions to our neighborhood.

• Emily Guthrie has headed the Capitol Hill Group Ministry for the past nine years. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded service to at-risk and homeless individuals and families throughout our community.

• Gary Peterson headed this foundation’s effort to channel the community’s outpouring of support for Eastern Market merchants after last year’s devastating fire, helping them set up operations first outdoors and then in the newly constructed East Hall. He also chairs the Capitol Hill Restoration Society’s zoning committee and is a former CHRS president.

• Dan Tangherlini, the District’s new City Administrator, represents a rising generation of extraordinary Hill leaders. In his present position and previously as director of the DC Transportation Department, he has listened to this community and worked effectively for the common good. He led the city’s response to the Eastern Market fire that had a temporary structure in place and operating within ninety days.

The dinner will be held at the Folger Shakespeare Library and all proceeds of the dinner will support the foundation’s community grants. For more information on the awards and to see past honorees, please visit our website. If you’re interested in attending or supporting the dinner, please contact the Foundation.

Special Focus: 2008 Keller Award Goes to Capitol Hill Village
The foundation’s annual $10,000 Arnold Keller Jr. Award will be given this year to Capitol Hill Village for its “Membership Plus” program, which extends the organization’s activities and services to neighborhood residents who might not otherwise be able to afford them. Capitol Hill Village was founded a year ago by a group of residents hoping to make staying in their own homes in this community as they age a realistic option for themselves and for others. Modeled on Boston’s successful Beacon Hill Village, the organization has over 160 members who pay an annual fee to belong and, in return, get access to extensive referrals for everything from medical care to car service, as well as opportunities to volunteer and to be assisted by volunteers. The Village offers a variety of social gatherings, a newsletter and, in executive director Gail Kohn, a sounding board for all manner of cares and concerns relating to aging. The Keller Award comes as Capitol Hill Village moves into its second year with the hope of reaching and assisting a wide range of older Hill residents and those who care for them.

Roswell Taylor and Mary Procter are some of the first members of Capitol Hill Village--photo by Michael Skinner

Upcoming Event Highlights
Application deadline for foundation fall grants, March 28...Next Overbeck Lecture in early April...Community Achievements Awards Dinner, May 14th

Overbeck History Project
Neighborhood history buffs braved an ice storm on the evening of February 12 to hear noted folklife and architectural historian John M. Vlach share findings from his recent studies of 19th century African American housing in the District, with a special look at the alley dwellings of Capitol Hill. This was a return appearance for Vlach, who delivered an outstanding Overbeck lecture five years ago on the landowners and residents of Capitol Hill at the time of the federal city’s founding. An article based on that lecture appears on the Overbeck web site. The next Overbeck Lecture will be held on April 8, featuring long time Hill resident and historic restoration and renovation expert C. Dudley Brown who will speak about Historic Capitol Hill Row House Designs. Get on the email notification list for future Overbeck history lectures by contacting the Overbeck Project. All lectures are held at the historic Naval Lodge hall at 330 Pennsylvania Ave. S.E.

Message from the President
I personally want to invite you to join us at the 25th annual Capitol Hill Community Achievement Awards Dinner at the Folger Shakespeare Library on May 14 as we honor three of our neighborhood’s most civically engaged individuals: Emily Guthrie, Gary Peterson and Dan Tanghlerini. This black tie event is the foundation’s main fundraiser of the year and a great opportunity to meet your community-spirited neighbors. Please contact us if you’d like to receive an invitation. Also, please consider being a Dinner Sponsor this year. Proceeds of the event are used to help fund the foundation’s Community Grants, which support a wide range of important neighborhood projects and programs. Sponsorship opportunities range from being an Underwriter ($5000 contribution entitling you to 6 tickets) to an individual sponsor ($350). Sponsorship opportunities are detailed here. This dinner is a wonderful celebration of “neighbors helping neighbors.” Don’t miss it.

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