For the 29th year, P. Buckley Moss has donated a print for Boys Home of Virginia to raffle. This year’s print is titled Natural Bridge Visitors #169 and is valued at over $100.00 framed. The Natural Bridge is located in the southern end of the Shenandoah Valley in Natural Bridge, Virginia. It has been hailed as one of the nation’s most visited natural wonders and has been included in several “Seven Natural Wonders of the World” lists. The print was framed by Loving Frame & Art located in Covington. Raffle tickets are $5 each or 10 for $45. Boys Home will draw a winner on October 30, 2020.
For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the Boys Home Development Office at 540-965-7707 or email Melinda Nichols at mnichols@boyshomeofva.org. Raffle entries must be received by October 28th. All proceeds directly benefit the programs at Boys Home. Best of luck winning this beautiful print!
Boys Home of Virginia is grateful for a generous donation from Family Dollar in Covington. The donation included almost 200 packages of cookies and clothing accessories.
Pictured left to right: Finn, Jacob, Hayden Forbes, Seth, Terrance, Dau, Anthony, and houseparent Aaron Smith
Terri Slusser was named Teacher of the Year for Boys Home of Virginia at the 41st annual Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Tourism dinner meeting in March.
She was hired at Boys Home in August of 2014 as a long-term substitute. Terri is currently teaching language arts, math, science, and social studies to grades 2-4. Her favorite thing about teaching at Boys Home are the small classes because she can build a relationship with the students. Terri states, “it has been proven when the teacher has a positive relationship with the students, they are more successful.”
Boys Home students and staff are very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Terri and appreciate her positive, caring, and upbeat nature!
Terri Slusser and Principal Teresa Johnson at the Alleghany Highlands Chamber dinner meeting in March
The Summer 2020 Boys Appeal Newsletter can be viewed by clicking above.
The Boys Appeal is a newsletter to supporters, parents, alumni, and friends with updates about what’s going on at Boys Home. Boys Home publishes the Boys Appeal 3 times a year.
One of the most valuable resources at Boys Home is the staff. The Boys Home mission comes full circle when men who were residents in their youth return to “pay it forward” for the boys who live here now. Only they can uniquely relate to the challenges and struggles the students face.
Administratively, the most well-known of the group is Executive Director Donnie Wheatley. Mr. Wheatley has led the way through capital campaigns, the creation of Boys Home School and the applied trades program and has become the resident expert on Boys Home’s history. It’s a big responsibility, but he always has time to say hello or share a piece of advice with the boys. Chad Whitmer, associate director of program, builds relationships with each boy and helps them develop leadership skills. On many weekends, he can be found leading a group of students through mountain passes on camping trips and teaching them life skills. Bobby Trice serves as director of support services and joined the staff in 2017 when he retired from the Army as a Master Sergeant after 20 years of service. Although Bobby’s full-time job keeps him busy seeing that the campus infrastructure is running smoothly, he makes it a point to know the students and spends time with them. He is also willing to come to your area and share his story about how Boys Home has made a difference in his life.
Danny Cale is the facility maintenance manager. Danny is a skilled organizer with his team and applies that same efficiency when teaching his home wiring class to students. Check out the December 20 post to the News section of the boyshomeofva.org website to see how this hands-on class causes students to begin to think like business owners. Rick Turner came to Boys Home after selling a successful heating and air-conditioning business. He teaches those same skills to students, also keeping busy with maintenance projects on campus. It’s also possible to catch Rick in a snappy Santa Claus outfit at the Boys Home Christmas Tree Farm!
None of Boys Home’s programming would be possible without houseparents. After graduation from college, Donnie Costigan and Milliyon Fesseha found their way back to Boys Home to share their experience and wisdom. Their influence for good in the lives of the boys is inspiring. David Powers also returned to Boys Home and worked on the farm. He has recently accepted a position in law enforcement, and we wish him all the best in that new endeavor.
Lastly, Mike Nunnally became the Hilltopper’s basketball coach in 2018. A retired teacher and coach, he now impacts both players and spectators with his professionalism, work ethic, fairness, and general good humor. He excels at not only building basketball skills but at building character in team members.
The presence of these men on campus demonstrates the success of the mission of Boys Home. They bring depth and a breadth of experience that is invaluable as we offer today’s students a second chance at success.
Left to right first row: Donnie Wheatley, Bobby Trice, Milliyon Fesseha
Second row: David Powers, Rick Turner
Third row: Mike Nunnally, Chad Whitmer, Danny Cale, Donnie Costigan
