Local Hero: Herndon Woman Helps Feed Those Stuck At Home

HERNDON, VA —Front line workers and other essential employees have garnered a great deal of praise for their work during the coronavirus pandemic and rightfully so. They're the ones keeping us safe and putting their lives at risk every day.

With its Local Heroes initiative, Patch is trying to recognize individuals, both those performing essential functions and others, who are helping to make our communities better during these hard times.

Herndon resident Fanny Laske-Salazar's part-time job at the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority and full-time role as a mother certainly qualifies her to be an essential employee in many people's book. But, it's the extra work she does that inspired her spouse Darius Laske to nominate her to be a Patch Local Hero.

During the coronavirus, Fanny has not only continued to donate food to food banks in Herndon and Reston, she's also delivered food and supplies to those in the community too ill to go out on their own.

When her birthday rolled around, Fanny asked people to donate diapers and supplies instead of personal gifts. She then delivered those to single mothers in the Herndon and Reston area.

That's something worthy of recognition.

Name of the nominee:
Fanny Laske-Salazar

Name of the person who nominated the hero:
Darius Laske

Is the nominee considered an “essential worker”?:
Yes

What does the nominee do for work?:
Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority

Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized or honored?
For the last several years, between work and family, Fanny spent nearly all of her time volunteering at different organizations throughout Herndon and Reston.

It was recently though, during the quarantine, that the extent of her giving really showed. Not only did she remain committed to volunteering two to three times a week at food drives sponsored by local schools and churches and relief programs, but she went above and beyond by personally driving around Herndon and Reston to deliver food boxes and supplies to those too ill to make the journey themselves and to those unable to take off of work during the food drive hours.

As if that wasn't enough, on her birthday, May 20, instead of personal gifts, she asked for diapers and supplies so that she could deliver them to single mothers in Herndon and Reston that may have been left without employment or child care. All this while still remaining committed to working part-time at Dulles Airport and to working full-time at home with our family.

What’s one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?:

She would nurture every child in the world if she could.

Do YOU have a local hero you would like us to know about? Share their story here.

All photos included in this post are owned by identified third parties who have given Patch the right to use explicitly for the Patch Local Heroes series.

Also see ...

• Local Hero Delivers Health Care With A Smile
• Local Hero: Herndon Violinist Plays So Others May Eat
• Herndon's Heroes: Help Patch Recognize Those Making A Difference
• RCC Staff Goes Above And Beyond During Coronavirus: Reston Heroes
• Herndon Mother Cares For Coronavirus Patients: Local Hero