In 1999, as a personal response to the Columbine tragedy, Strauss joined with Judy Bowns (a theater resource teacher in the Washington, D.C., area) to create the Cappies—a “critics and awards program” for high school theater and journalism students.  Since then, Strauss has contributed thousands of hours as a volunteer, and substantial personal resources, as the Cappies have grown to include 57 high schools in the National Capital Area—and 15 similar programs across the U.S.  Over the years, the Cappies has received substantial media coverage, including these local editorials and this New York Times article.

As part of their volunteer work with the Cappies, Strauss and Bowns co-produce the annual Cappies Gala for the National Capital Area, held each June in the sold-out 2400-seat Concert Hall of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.  They also co-produce the annual Cappies National Theater, which invites top “Cappie” winners from across the U.S. to come to Washington, D.C., to join a national teenage cast in performing three shows at the Kennedy Center. 

In September 2005, Strauss and Bowns initiated, co-produced, and hosted a “Katrina Aid!” show that raised $50,000 for Katrina evacuees who are resettling in Northern Virginia.  The program featured high school student performers and Cappie-winning alumni from 20 high schools in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.  Here is a video clip of a news feature about the show (in high resolution or low resolution).  Money raised through “Katrina Aid!” has been distributed to local aid organizations through “Fairfax Families Care,” a regional coalition of government, schools, PTAs, businesses, nonprofit and nongovernmental officials organized in the week following Hurricane Katrina by Strauss, his wife Janie (a member of the Fairfax County School Board), Judy Bowns, and top county and school officials.  Since then, Fairfax Families Care has raised and distributed funds, and has helped coordinated school, housing, employment, social services, and other assistance for Katrina evacuees who have come to Northern Virginia.

For their work with the Cappies, locally and nationally, Strauss and Bowns were honored with a special recognition from the Fairfax County (VA) School Board in 2001.  In 2005, Strauss was named “Citizen of the Year” in McLean, Virginia.  In 2005, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors honored Strauss and Bowns with a special resolution, commending them “for their outstanding service, dedication, and contribution to young thespians and theater critics throughout the nation.”