This year has been one of constant change and uncertainty, but we feel blessed to be part of such a wonderful community filled with supportive neighbors and friends. We are proud to call Columbia Pike home. As we prepare to ring in the new year, here’s a look back at our staff’s picks for this year’s top 9 moments for the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization.
And help us start 2021 off right by making a donation today!
1. This year, we were blessed to receive over $40,000 in donations from individuals like you to support local restaurants by purchasing meals for our frontline workers at VHC, Mary Marshall Assisted Living, and Arlington Pediatrics, delivered by Flare.
2. We worked diligently with our fellow BIDs and Partnerships, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, and County Board to ease signage restrictions during the pandemic. And, we worked with our partners at AlphaGraphics and More Vang to print over 50 FREE banners for local businesses, helping them better communicate with customers.
3. With a little help from our sponsors and friends at Arlington Arts, WERA 96.7FM, New District Brewing Company, and several local restaurants, we were able to convert our annual Blues Festival into the Backyard Blues Fest, a live radio broadcast.
4. Our summer Movie Nights couldn’t have happened without the support of nearly 20 amazing volunteers and Arlington Public Schools who graciously let us take over the Arlington Career Center parking lot all summer long to bring Columbia Pike a brand new drive-in movie experience.
5. Thanks to the Arlington Presbyterian Church, Darla C. Ellis Memorial Fund, Washington Forrest Foundation, and nearly 200 individual donors, we were able to feed local families in need. We purchased and distributed nearly 5,000 boxes of produce from our Columbia Pike Farmers Market vendors to low-income residents over five months.
6. Despite the hardships of this year, we welcomed over a dozen new businesses to Columbia Pike and more are set to open in the new year!
7. At this year’s virtual Columbia Pike Progress Luncheon, we were proud to present our new “Columbia Pike Spirit Awards” to one wonderful volunteer and four amazing companies that have gone above and beyond to support our community: Flare, Our Lady Queen of Peace, B.M. Smith & Associates, and Arlington Presbyterian Church.
8. With a grant from the Washington Forrest Foundation, we were able to hire a part-time, bilingual Business Engagement Specialist, Lucero Alvarez, to help us better serve all Columbia Pike businesses.
9. Our organization solidified its commitment to inclusiveness and celebrating diversity by becoming a Silver Lifetime Organizational Member of the Arlington branch of the NAACP.
What were your top 9 moments of life on Columbia Pike this year? Use #PikeTop9 or tag us on social media (@columbiapikeva) and let us know!