Bruce Brennan · 2000 Honoree

Bruce Brennan epitomizes the community volunteer. He’s done every job in organizing the Capitol Hill Classic footrace benefiting the Cluster Schools from standing on the corner with a flag to being in charge of it; he’s served several stints on the Board of the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop and opened his house for the winter revelry house tour; he’s raised funds for Capitol Hill Day School and spent five years as leader of a Boy Scout troop. And like many a serious volunteer, he feels he has gotten much more from the community than he has given.

What makes Capitol Hill seem, at times, like a small town is, Bruce thinks, knowing the people around you and “knowing they are there for you.” He says his family has benefited tremendously from the kindness and attention of neighbors. "Each time one of our children was born,” he remembers, “we had meals brought in by friends. It was wonderful. And whenever we’ve had rough spots, friends were there for us too.” What gives one friends like this is, Bruce acknowledges, among other things, working with people on volunteer projects. Everyone goes off to different jobs during the day but in the evenings “We all share some of the same concerns.”

Bruce’s family includes his wife, Louise, a partner with Bruce in many of his volunteer efforts and an English teacher at Georgetown Day School; daughters Kathleen, who graduates this spring from Yale and will be teaching in the fall and Beth, a sophomore at Washington and Lee University; and son Thomas who in June completes eighth grade at Capitol Hill Day School. Bruce has for many years been an attorney with the D.C. Corporation Counsel.

Bruce has lived on Capitol Hill for over twenty years. He originally thought he would stay a few years to see the city, then move to a small town either in New England or in the Shenandoah Valley. It’s good news to the community that he changed his mind. He is here to stay.