Author: Elaine Brelsford

  • By Elaine Brelsford
  • Posted:
  • Events, News, Uncategorized

Boys Home Howl-O-Ween Hustle 5K and Kids Fun Run!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wear your favorite Halloween costume and don’t be scared! 

Boys Home of Virginia is hosting the Howl-O-Ween Hustle 5K and Kids Fun Run! We invite you to join us for this family-friendly trail race in the beautiful Alleghany Highlands. Families, runners, kids, and pets can participate in a 5K walk/run, a 1K fun run, costume contests, face painting, games, and more. The event will start and finish at the Intervale Trailhead of the Jackson River Scenic Trail, in Covington, VA. 

Come enjoy the fall scenery on the Jackson River Scenic Trail! Then, don’t miss the Clifton Forge Fall Foliage Festival going on in neighboring Clifton Forge!

Race Day Schedule:

  • Packet pickup and race-day registration: 8:00 a.m.

  • Fun Run: 9:30 a.m.

  • 5K: 10:00 a.m.

  • Awards: 11:00 a.m.

This event will be chip timed, USA Track and Field sanctioned, and take place on a certified 5K course. Top 3 finishers in each category will receive a collectible pint glass! (Top 3 male and female overall, top 3 male and female by age groups [14 & under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74 and 75+]) All children (14 and under) participating in the Kids Fun Run will receive a participation medal, and all registrants will receive a race T-shirt.

Registration options:

Early-Bird discount (ends 8/31): Individual Registration = $25, Family Registration (1-2 adults plus children) = $40

Standard (9/1 – 10/20): Individual Registration = $30, Family Registration (1-2 adults plus children) = $50

Virtual Registration = $30

Can’t make the event? Not quite up for a run or walk? Join us from a distance with our Virtual 5K option! You can run, jog, walk, or even choose to complete the race “virtually” – from the comfort of your own living room! Once you submit your registration, your shirt will be ready for pick-up or shipping, and you can display it proudly on October 20th!

Register here, or call Colleen at (540) 965-7703.

 

*family-friendly*    *pets welcome*    *costume contests*    *certified 5K course*    *USA Track and Field sanctioned*    *trail race*

Image result for rail trail in fall

  • By Elaine Brelsford
  • Posted:
  • News

Justin Mosby Hired as Development Director

Justin Mosby, director of development, joined Boys Home of Virginia after a 14-year career at Virginia Tech. In 2003, immediately after graduate school, Justin joined Virginia Tech, working with Upward Bound as assistant director. During his time with the Upward Bound program, Justin worked tirelessly to assist young people to overcome obstacles in their pursuit of education. To this day, Justin continues to stay involved with youth in his community and schools by volunteering on boards and local nonprofits.

In 2007, Justin joined the “Invite the Future” campaign as a regional officer responsible for garnering support from alumni living and working throughout the central US. Searching out alumni and bringing new donors to the university became a strong suit of Justin’s work in fundraising. Most recently, Justin was the associate director of development within the Pamplin College of Business. During his five years in the College of Business, Justin managed a major gift portfolio with significant travel to the northern Virginia region.

The opportunity to join Boys Home of Virginia is exciting to Justin, building on his passion for helping young people and continuing a successful career in fundraising. Justin is looking forward to visiting with the many supporters of Boys Home and building a broader network of individual and corporate support.

Justin and his wife, Kirsten, live in Radford, Virginia, with their two girls, Audrey and Cora. Kirsten is the director of guidance at Floyd County High School. Both enjoy spending time outdoors and supporting their children’s activities.

  • By Elaine Brelsford
  • Posted:
  • Events, News

Boys Home Hosts a Dedication and Blessing for Ms. Signe Langschultz and Ingevity


On June 22, a very special dedication and blessing took place in the Ingevity Student Center on the Boys Home campus in honor of Ingevity and Ms. Signe Langschultz. Ingevity recently approached Boys Home about working together on a project to benefit the students for years to come. This spring, work was completed on the Ingevity Student Center, which now offers a pool table, ping-pong table, TV, area rug, and new leather chairs for students to enjoy.

Students are thrilled about their new place to relax, have fun, and not worry. Ingevity, too, is excited about the partnership. “Sharing our knowledge through encouraging words of wisdom with the youth of Boys Home is one way in which we are able to give back,” stated Tad Robertson, senior process engineer.

Signe Langschultz, affectionately known among students as Ms. Sig, initially came to Boys Home two years ago while doing research for a book. Realizing that her years of experience as a reading instructor would be immensely beneficial to the students at Boys Home, she decided to stay on as a volunteer, helping students with reading comprehension. Ms. Sig has found a home at Boys Home. In addition to working with students one-on-one, she has hosted game nights for all the students in the dining hall, and she’s always ready with a smile and an encouraging word.

Two classrooms were dedicated in loving memory of Ms. Sig’s husband and son, Frederick Paul and Frederick George Langschultz, respectively.

Laura Whitmer, case manager and art teacher at Boys Home, painted a beautiful portrait of Ms. Sig and her dogs that she revealed during the dedication and blessing.
Boys Home thanks Ms. Sig and Ingevity for being so kind and generous. Boys Home is open to individuals and businesses who would like to become involved and make a difference in the lives of these young men seeking a second chance at success.

  • By Elaine Brelsford
  • Posted:
  • Events, News

Riding Ring Dedication and Blessing


“All creatures of our God and king, lift up your voice and let us sing, O praise Him, Alleluia,” rang out from a crowd assembled for the dedication of the new riding ring at Boys Home on June 13. Visitors, staff, and students sat on new bleachers constructed by a mission group from Trinity Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, Virginia. Students leading and riding horses stood inside the riding ring, while Chaplain Anne Grizzle, wearing a cowboy hat and boots, led a service of thanks and blessing.

Executive Director Donnie Wheatley thanked the many contributors who have donated funds for the ring, and Bonnie Wheatley spoke of Sturdy Stirrups, the equine program that has worked with over 20 students this spring. Diego Jones and Audrey Mosby alternately read Psalm 32 from horseback. Audrey, who is an accomplished rider, is the daughter of the new Development Director Justin Mosby. Pastor Anne reflected on the role of the ring as a place of relationship building, leadership, learning, and joy. When Pastor Anne asked the students what they learned this past semester, many examples included, “to stay calm, respect all living things, and trust your horse.” Linda Angle, house parent and assistant riding instructor, led everyone in the Cowboy Prayer of “God bless our horse and keep us safe. I ask this in the name of He who was born in a stable. Amen.”

Bundles of grasses with wildflowers were distributed to individuals wishing to bless the ring. Dipping the bundles in buckets of blessed water, they sprinkled them throughout the ring.

The service was concluded with a rendition of “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” including verses relating to horses and riders.

A celebratory dinner followed and included a memorized rendition of a horse poem called “Sissy Britches,” given by guest Susan Richardson.

The riding ring was installed to ensure the safety of all who participate in the equine program, allowing the program to expand to any student who is interested. While some of the fund’s needs have been donated, additional contributions are needed to fully fund the project. Boys Home has created a thermometer in the dining hall as a fun way to track our goal in raising money for the riding ring. Consider joining in the learning and fun by donating!