"They are some of the City of Charlottesville's most generous volunteers and on September 21st four city residents were honored as being bridge builders of the community. The City of Charlottesville recognized them for their significant contributions to our community at a ceremony at First Baptist Church on West Main Street. Virginia Jones Carrington, Elizabeth "Betz" Behrendt Gleason, Charles H. Gleason, MD, and William W. Washington, Jr. were selected by the Bridge Builders Committee as this year's recipients and have their names engraved on plaques that were be placed on the Drewary J. Brown Bridge on West Main Street.

The late Virginia Carrington was recognized for her tireless work with the local NAACP and her volunteer efforts across the state. Longtime Charlottesville residents Betz and Charlie Gleason were noted for their civic work, particularly in helping the youth of all races in Charlottesville. Mr. Washington, a local pastor and founder of Bridge Ministries, thanked the gathered crowd for the award but made a point to recognize the community for its support in helping trouble youth have a second chance.

There have been 32 recipients of the Bridge Builders award since its beginning in 2001. The annual recognition is made in the spirit of Drewary J. Brown, a Charlottesville civil rights leader and community activist who died in 1998. Those honored through the years are noted for making a memorable contribution to our community life especially: those who have worked to reduce barriers, to bridge differences among groups and individuals, to enrich the lives of all our residents, to increase opportunity and understanding, and to encourage all of us to work together to build a better community." (City Notes, October, 2006)