More than 300 philanthropists and community advocates gathered at The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region's Celebration of Civic Spirit Gala held on Thursday, December 8 at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, DC.

This year's Civic Spirit Award honors Vicki and Roger Sant who, through their philanthropic leadership and generosity, have created lasting improvements to our community through their Summit Foundation and Summit Fund.

Other honorees included the recipients of the distinguished Linowes Leadership Awards including Lidya Abune, Julia Irving, Catalina Sol, and Maceo Thomas. These "unsung heroes" received the award for their efforts to improve communities throughout the Washington Metropolitan region and for encouraging others to do the same.

Proceeds from this year's event benefit The Community Foundation's work to make the Washington region a community where equity, access, and opportunity are available to all.

Pictured from left to right: Terri Lee Freeman, President, The Community Foundation National Capital Region; Vicki and Roger Sant, Civic Spirit Award honorees and, David M. Bradt, Jr., Board Chair, The Community Foundation National Capital Region.

Pictured from left to right: Lydia Abune*, Student Advocate for Language Access, Coolidge Senior High School; Catalina Sol*, Chief Program Officer and HIV/AIDS Advocate and Champion, La Clinica del Pueblo; Ada Linowes; Terri Lee Freeman, President, The Community Foundation National Capital Region; Julia Irving*, Community Liaison and Outreach Coordinator, Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, Sixth District and, Maceo Thomas*, Ward 7 Community Activist and Resident. *Recipients of the Linowes Leadership Awards

Our Supporters of Civic Spirit

The Community Foundation is grateful to the following individuals, foundations and corporations who have helped make this evening possible.