2025
Join us on as we celebrate outstanding volunteers in Montgomery County!
The Annual Montgomery Serves Awards
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
6:30 PM
Rosborough Theater
301 Odendhal Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Click here for tickets and to reserve your seat!
Congratulations to the 2025 Montgomery Serves Awards honorees. Each has demonstrated remarkable commitment to service and volunteerism in our community, earning then Montgomery County's highest recognition for their contributions.
Neal Potter Path of Achievement Award
Honoring lifetime service by those age 60 and older
Hettie Fleming
Hettie Fleming's lifelong commitment to service began in childhood alongside her parents. With degrees from Norflok State and Johns Hopkins, she led a successful career in telecommunications later becoming an executive consultant. In Montgomery County, she has focused her service on efforts to end homelessness and support families through initiatives like "Homeless Resource Day" and "Welcome Home Baskets." During the COVID-19 pandemic, she dedicated over 1,000 hours to assist those in need. Hettie is also involved with the local National Council of Negro Women and supports various ministries at Mount Calvalry Baptist Church. Her advocacy for Sickle Cell Disease and involvement with organizations like Montgomery Hospice highlight her dedication to making a meaningful impact in her community.
Anita L. Segreti
Anita L. Segreti has been a dedicated leader in Montgomery County for over 50 years, starting the hot lunch program at Little Flower School in 1971 and leading outreach efforts for the So Others May Eat (SOME) program. While owning Maria Rosa Italian Restaurant, she expanded her impact by tutoring students and supporting the arts. After transitioning to the insurance industry, she became active in the Bethesda Chanber of Commerce and Catholic Business Network, helping award over $1.3 million in scholarships. In 2011, she cofounded Transformations of Montgomery County to provide furnished apartments for young adults aging out of foster care and continued her mission of support even after its closure in 2019. Her unwavering commitment has positively impacted countless lives and serves as an inspiration for all.
Volunteer of the Year Awards
Recognizing outstanding volunteer service performed in the previous calendar year
Stephanie Mitchell
Volunteer of the Year
Stephanie Mitchell embodies volunteerism in Montgomery County through her impactful work with Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Since joining in February 2024, she has delivered over 150 beds to children in need, using her administrative skills to streamline operations. As Chapter Vice President, she inspires new volunteers and coordinates fundraisers to support the mission. Stephanie creates an inclusive environment, connecting with others to motivate them to take action. Ultimately, she delivers not just beds, but hope and dignity to children in the community.
Aarna Gundeti
Youth Volunteer of the Year
Aarna Gundeti, a rising junior at Walt Whitman High School, is making a significant impact in Montgomery County through her nonprofit, Helping Hands for Humanity Inc. Founded to combat educational inequities and poverty, the organization provides peer tutoring, mentoring, and STEM enrichment programs. Aarna also developed the Nutrition Powers Education program to ensure students have access to nutritious meals. Additionally, her AI Robotic Learning initiative offers free interactive learning tools to early education centers. Aarna's dedication to community service is helping create a brighter future for local students.
Little Falls Watershed Alliance
Volunteer Group of the Year
The Little Falls Watershed Alliance (LFWA) is a nonprofit organization led by volunteers, dedicated to protecting the natural environment of lower Montgomery County and adjacent DC neighborhoods since 2008. In 2024, LFWA's volunteers contributed 2,518 hours, engaging 1,206 individuals in environmental stewardship. A total of 584 volunteers participated in habitat restoration, successfully removing invasive plants from eight county parks and maintaining restored greenspaces. LFWA also collaborated with WSSC to rehabilitate Westbrook meadow, planting over 250 native plants, and launched the Norwood Park Arboriculture Project. Additionally, 480 volunteers took part in trash abatement efforts, removing 3,676 pounds of trash and recycling materials from county parks. Citizen scientists contributed over 130 hours to water management and quality monitoring, including E.coli testing in local streams. Their findings led to the identification of contamination sources, showcasing the vital role of volunteers in ensuring a healthier watershed for future generations.
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DAVIS Construction
Volunteer Business of the Year
Founded in 1966, DAVIS Construction operates in the Mid-Atlantic region and has been recognized as a top workplace by the Washington Business Journal for 18 consecutive years, DAVIS is deeply committed to community outreach and has been actively involved with Rebuilding Together Montgomery County (RTMC) since 2014. Each year, during National Rebuilding Days in April, DAVIS contributes over 80 man-hours with 30 volunteers, along with in-kind donations. The company takes on challenging repairs needed by vulnerable homeowners, leveraging local expertise to complete projects on time and within budget. DAVIS Construction emphasizes building relationships with homeowners and ensuring high-quality work, which is crucial for the well-being of RTMC’s clients. Their efforts have helped transform homes and prevent residents from potentially losing their houses, showcasing their dedication to community welfare.
2025 Montgomery Serves Awards Nominees
Aarna Gundeti, Alpha Delta Alumnae Chapter of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc., Anita Segreti, Anjali Vanka, Anya Tahi, Atharv Dua, Barbara Thornton, Beverly Rollins, Bingjib Huang, Bryson Filbert, Capital Youth Outreach Club (CYOC), Carly Elliot, Charylyn Tanner, Davis Construction, Deepak Somasundar, Evan Schwartz, Friends of All Critters a Shelters (FOACAS), Gabriella Young, Grace Xiao, Harry Kuperberg, Hettie Fleming, John Tyner II, John Vilgos, Juliana Cisnero Diaz, Kendall Peterson, Kerala Association of Greater Washington, KindWorks Digital Empowerment Team, Little Falls Watershed Alliance, Noam Kovacs, RCF Robotigers, Rita Lewi, Simona Birhane, Stephanie Mitchell, Tammy Goldberg, Trevor Albuquerque, Valerie Finch, Will Fermaglich, Yesenia Ramos
Questions? Email [email protected] or call the Montgomery County Volunteer Center at 240-777-2600.
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