Local Loudoun Business Makes Big Impact Through American Red Cross

By Erwin Stierle, Executive Director, Loudoun and Prince William Counties, VA

The Fall of 2017 was a big, destructive season for hurricanes. In fact, three of the five costliest hurricanes in U.S. history – Harvey, Irma, and Maria – hit the U.S. within weeks of each other. Bob Reiver, owner of Dulles Golf and Sports Park in Dulles, VA, was astonished at the level of destruction these hurricanes levied on so many, leaving thousands homeless across Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Unfortunately, many didn’t survive.

Bob knew, like most, that the Red Cross responds during times of major disaster, by reconnecting families, serving millions of meals and snacks, distributing millions of relief items, delivering mental health services, and providing shelter to thousands. However, in order for us to respond in these ways and times of need, we need resources like vehicles, supplies, food, water, people and transportation of people. This can only be achieved through the generosity of donors. Bob and his Managing Partner, Andy Stromberg, agreed to donate 20% of the gross sales during September and October of 2017 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief from their miniature golf course, driving range, batting cages, and gemstone panning to benefit the hurricane victims. This resulted in a donation of $21,814.

From Left: Bob Reiver, Erwin Stierle, 
and Andy Stromberg.

Dulles Golf Center & Sports Park then provided the American Red Cross with a fundraising opportunity in April 2018, during which they sold ticket packages to families to enjoy their complex’s facilities at a discounted rate and money raised going to the Red Cross. This resulted in another $2,000 being raised. This provided us the opportunity to educate the community about our local services.

Bob himself was unaware of the significant role the American Red Cross plays in local disaster response, like helping those displaced by home fires.

“So many people know that the Red Cross responds during the big disasters and is a big player in the blood business. What I have found is that most people do not know the impact the Red Cross has locally – responding to home fires, helping make homes safer, serving military members and their families and providing lifesaving training classes. They need funding to carry out all of those activities,” said Bob.

Later, in 2018, Dulles Golf Center made another $5,000 donation.

The American Red Cross needs that funding ahead of large disasters and to be prepared to deliver our mission across all those services at the local level. Knowing this now, Dulles Golf Center & Sports Park once again chose to donate a percentage of sales, this time taking 10% of their activity fees and pavilion rentals from their company picnics and team building events in May, June, and July of 2019. That effort resulted in a donation of $14,743!

From Left: Bob Reiver, Erwin Stierle, and Andy Stromberg.

Disasters, big and small, will continue to happen. Bob and Andy have committed to supporting those in need by sharing in the success of their business and funding the mission of the American Red Cross when they can. It’s local support like this, one business at a time and one individual at a time, that makes a tremendous difference in helping those in need.

Thank you to Dulles Golf Center & Sports Park for your generosity to support those in need!