The Committee for Dulles Community Outreach (CFDCO), the charitable arm of the Committee for Dulles (CFD), is pleased to announce it has awarded 50 Dulles Airport Scholarship Program recipients totaling $60,000 to local graduating high school seniors who are employed or volunteer at Washington Dulles International Airport (Dulles) or who are dependents of employees or volunteers at the airport.
Click here to view the entire press release.
The Washington Airports Task Force (WATF) is soaring to new heights with our efforts to engage our network and community in submitting nominations for the 2025 Williams Trophy Awards recipients. The Williams Trophy was established in 1996 by the Board of Directors of the WATF. Carrington Williams, for whom the trophy is named and who was the founding chairman of the WATF from 1982 to 1996, was the first to receive the trophy on June 10, 1996. The trophy is awarded to recognize those whose “Leadership, Vision and Dedication in the Application of Aviation or Space Enriched the Quality of Life on Earth.” We are celebrating our 29th year of the Williams Trophy Award and are proud to have honored many remarkable recipients in the past. The recipient(s) are recognized at the WATF’s Annual General Membership meeting (AGM) to be held late in 2025. The AGM is one of the Task Force’s biggest and most anticipated events of the year and attendance is expected to be at capacity.
The criterion for selection involves choosing an individual, group, or company that closely aligns with and respects the essence of the award. We invite you to submit your nomination here by answering three simple questions. The deadline for submissions is May 15, 2025.
Recent years recipients are noted below, and a more extended list can be found here:
If you should have any questions, please contact [email protected].
Benefiting Special Olympics of Virginia, Committee for Dulles Community Outreach and the Washington Airports Task Force.
On Saturday, September 28, the 12th Annual Dulles Airport 5K/10K on the Runway brought together over 2,500 enthusiastic participants and spectators for a day of sunshine and celebration. For the first time in days, the weather smiled upon us, making it the perfect backdrop for this unique event.
Runners laced up their shoes and took off down the runway, a rare opportunity to race on one of the country’s busiest and flattest airstrips. Participants began their journey at the stunning Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. As they exited the museum, they were greeted with breathtaking views of the sunrise illuminating the runway, transforming it into a vibrant racecourse.
The event not only celebrated fitness and community but also highlighted the incredible partnership between Dulles Airport and the Smithsonian, offering a memorable experience for everyone involved. Runners of all ages and skill levels took part, enjoying the festive atmosphere filled with cheering crowds, music, and the spirit of camaraderie.
Whether crossing the finish line or cheering from the sidelines, everyone left with cherished memories of a fantastic day on the runway. You can view images from the event by clicking the link [here]. Be sure to check out the vibrant moments captured throughout the day, showcasing the excitement and joy of participants as they raced down the runway!
This incredible event could not have happened without the support of sponsors (add link with sponsors), Potomac River Running, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, and our volunteers. And a special shout out to our Premier sponsors Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, United Airlines, and the Marriott Washington Dulles Airport. Although the final numbers aren’t in yet, we anticipate raising approximately $143,000 from this year’s event. This incredible support will have a lasting impact on our benefactors and the community. Thank you to everyone who participated and donated! Your involvement makes a significant difference.
See you next year on the runway!
A topic that is on all our minds and in the news, Hurricane Helene and Milton. These storms have and will continue to be a threat and disastrous to residents in FL, TN and VA. For those who may not be familiar, Tanya Matthews, from TMG Construction Corporation serves as one of our board members. TMG recently launched a hurricane relief mission that mobilized numerous volunteers to help gather donations, manage logistics, and arrange flights to North Carolina for those affected by Hurricane Helene. Below is an account of what Tanya’s husband, Joe, communicated to the TMG team following their mission. Thank you, Tanya, Joe and the TMG team for their hard work and supporting those in need. All of you are heroes!
Rusty Cook and Joe Matthews made two relief flights to help people suffering in the area of North Carolina that were hit by Hurricane Helene.
In the first flight we moved 700# of relief supplies from Winchester, VA (KOKV) to Statesville, NC (KSVH) and thereafter a second flight in which we moved 750# of relief supplies from Statesville, NC to Ashe County, NC (KGEV). Rusty was the loadmaster, Tanya encouraged us and sent us on our way with great BLT sandwiches and I was the pilot. It was a memorable day to see hundreds of people volunteering to help others in need. Understanding that what we were participating in was a volunteer operation – it was amazing to see the complexity of the logistics that are allowing hundreds of aircraft and relief workers to effectively provide help to people in need. Statesville, NC served as a hub, with a 7,000’ runway that connected nine other smaller airports that have 3,000’ to 5,000’ runways. The day started out at our home base – Winchester, VA where Nick Sabo and his Staff had accumulated donations, which we delivered to Statesville, NC. Thereafter, we were asked to move a load to Ashe County, NC which was nestled in the mountains at 3,200 AGL at a location where the hurricane had done considerable damage. It was heartwarming to see all of good human energy. As a parallel, we got to observe shear craziness at these two airports in which dozens of airplanes and helicopters were coming and going. It felt like being of the flight line of an aircraft carrier. It sounds like things are stabilizing, however there is a need for a couple more weeks of relief work.
We are fortunate to have exceptionally talented individuals on our board of directors, bringing a rich array of diversity and professionalism. These connections and the opportunities they provide are invaluable. This encompasses the latest additions to our board of directors. A full list of our board members can be accessed here (add the link from the BOD page and members below to the BOD site – see below for BOD page updates):
