Gov. Youngkin honors ACCA volunteer Mary Lee Di Spirito

Longtime ACCA volunteer Mary Lee Di Spirito is one 10 individuals and entities honored by Virginia Gov. Glenn Younkin with a 2024 Governor’s Volunteerism & Community Service Award.

Mary Lee, of Annandale, has volunteered with Annandale Christian Committee for Action “for more than 30 years, generously giving time and talents to the Annandale community, impacting countless local families,” states a news release.  

Mary Lee manages ACCA’s furniture program, which collects donated beds, dressers, and other items, restores them, and distributes them to households in need.

Since Mary Lee and her late husband, Don started that program some 25 years ago, they provided essential furniture and household items to more than 24,000 individuals through more than 12,000 deliveries.

She also volunteered with ACCA’s Meals on Wheels program and with Bailey’s Shelter & Supportive Housing in Bailey’s Crossroads. When the shelter was proposed, it faced community opposition. Mary Lee testified in support of the project before the Planning Commission and served on the shelter’s advisory committee, helping it gain public support.

“Throughout her life, Mary Lee has done much more than provide thousands of hours of direct service to individuals in her community,” states the news release. “She has forged relationships, created opportunities for others to participate in community service, and engaged in critical advocacy work, writing letters, attending and testifying at public meetings, and serving on boards to support her community.”  

The annual awards program spotlights the outstanding volunteer efforts of individuals, organizations, and business on behalf of Virginians.

“Each honoree reminds us that we each have the opportunity to make our communities better through service,” Youngkin says. “Through their steadfast commitment to helping others, these honorees represent the very best of our commonwealth.”