The Jessie Ball duPont Fund has once again committed to providing Boys Home of Virginia with up to $25,000 in online match funding. The first $500 of each online donation made online will be matched 1:1 from November 1 – 30th.
They are also offering a special 2:1 match for every online donation received up to $500 on Giving Tuesday, November 29.
Chris Doyle and Laura Robertson from Boys Home of Virginia joined us on Here @ Home to talk about the mission of the organization and who they serve.
On Saturday, November 5, Boys Home of Virginia hosted its 6th annual fall fundraiser, the Harvest Hustle 5K, 10K and Half-Marathon at the Intervale Trailhead of the Jackson River Scenic Trail! One hundred and twenty-six participants gathered to compete on an exceptionally warm fall day. Even though there were a few moments of misting rain, racers from all over Virginia, West Virginia, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas were not deterred from competing. Bottled water, Gatorade and pre-packaged snacks were available for runners to enjoy before and after each event. Mountain Momma’s Kitchen LLC was on site to provide food and coffee to participants, volunteers and spectators.
All runners received a long sleeve t-shirt with the race logo, and everyone received a one-of-a-kind participation medal as they crossed the finish line. A collectable 16 oz. latte mug was given to the top three fastest male and female racers in each age group, as well as a certificate of their accomplishment. The overall top three male and female racers for each race won a collectable acrylic Boys Home house trophy. All first-place winners also received a gift certificate to Lex Running Shop in Lexington, Virginia.
Overall winners in the 5K race were 1st place male – Aiden Sensabaugh (15) of Hot Springs, VA finishing at 19:11, 2nd place male – Joshua Anglin (15) of Covington, VA finishing at 20:02, and 3rd place male – James Mazy Ross (15) of Covington, VA finishing at 20:49. First place female – Abby Dixon (16) of Lewisburg, WV with a time of 22:43, 2nd place female – Faith Barron (13) of Clifton Forge, VA finishing at 22:51, and 3rd place female – Maggie Hensley (13) from Covington, VA finishing at 23:32.
Overall winners in the WestRock 10K race were 1st place male – Sam Allen (45) of Lexington, VA with a time of 38:51, 2nd place male – Alex Bullock (22) of Lewisburg, WV finishing at 40:59, and 3rd place male – Adam Gild (21) of Covington, VA finishing at 46:47. First Place female – Anna Henry (34) of Durham, NC finishing at 45:32, 2nd place female – Ashley Bykowski (26) from Lewisburg, WV finishing at 47:04, and 3rd place female – Esabelle Gervasio (23) from Lewisburg, WV finishing at 1:04:33.
The overall winners for the WestRock Half Marathon were 1st place male – Mark Stauffer (52) of Otisco, IN with a time of 1:28:56, 2nd place male – Paul Titus (52) from Waynesboro, VA finishing at 1:32:25, and 3rd place male – Jeremy Weaver (45) from Copper Hill, VA finishing at 1:34:13. First place female – Adrien Monti (43) of Roanoke, VA finishing at 2:11:59, 2nd place female – Lyla Rumler (35) from Forest, VA finishing at 2:28:42, and 3rd place female – Jamison Strasser (31) from Hot Springs, VA finishing at 2:48:42.
The finish times for each race are listed on www.runforboyshome.org along with photos to commemorate the day.
Boys Home would like to thank Run Roanoke, the Falling Spring and Covington Rescue Squads, Mountain Momma’s Kitchen LLC, Alleghany Parks and Recreation, as well as all participants, volunteers and sponsors for making this event possible. For the second year, Ingevity was the presenting sponsor for the event. Ingevity has always been a faithful supporter of Boys Home and their participation is greatly appreciated. Boys Home is also very grateful for the generosity of the many businesses that sponsor the Harvest Hustle each year. A huge thank you to the following event sponsors: WestRock, Lexington Prescription Center, Highlands Community Bank, Campbell Insurance, Silvercrest Asset Management, Old Dominion Furniture Company, Alleghany Asphalt and Construction, Inc., Greenbrier Physicians, Persinger Memorial United Methodist Church, McDonough Toyota, Spencer Home Center, Jackson River Community Credit Union, The Rail Bar and Grille, The Cat & Owl, J & K Electric, West Winds Venue, The Recorder, Fincastle Baptist Church: Highlands Campus, Edward Jones Investments, The Law Firm of William T. Wilson, Jack Mason’s Tavern & Brewery, Slaughter and Slaughter Family Dentistry, Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative, K. McConnell Legal, Diesel & Heavy Equipment Services, LLC, Grand Home Furnishings, Valley Supermarket IGA, Barnwood Living and Lex Running Shop.
This wonderful event is not only a fundraiser, but it has also helped raise awareness of Boys Home and the services that are provided for the young men in residence there. The vision of Boys Home is to provide a community that inspires young men to positively impact those around them. This event shows the commitment and discipline needed to be a runner, the tenacity never to give up, and the importance of always striving to do your best. It also provides a great example of how a community can come together and support each other.
Next year’s Harvest Hustle will be scheduled for Saturday, November 4, 2023. All are invited to participate in this challenging, fun and exciting event which will only grow bigger and better with each passing year!
Boys Home was excited for seven members of Trinity Episcopal Church in Staunton, Virginia, to teach a fall fly-fishing clinic. The clinic was led by Paul Bugas, a true fly-fishing expert and co-author of Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. The afternoon began with an instructional class. Paul kept the students engaged by making the class interactive and informative. Afterward, the students practiced their fly-fishing casts in an open field. The teacher-to-student ratio was low, allowing for individual attention and instruction. Once this portion was complete, it was time to put the students’ new skills to the test. The sun was beginning to set, therefore, it was the perfect time to fish the Boys Home pond.
While at the pond, students were able to combine classroom instruction and their casting lessons together into action. The event was a wonderful experience for everyone involved. Boys Home had an exciting visitor participate. Former Executive Director Travis Tysinger (1974 – 1984) joined the fun as a teacher. The fly-fishing clinic covered many areas of Boys Home’s mission and helped the students develop mentally, physically and socially.
On Friday, November 25, Boys Home Christmas Tree Farm will open for its 29th season. The updated hours for the 2022 season are below. In her bequest, Joanne Tannehill, left her Augusta County Tree Farm to Boys Home as a teaching and learning experience for students. The Boys Home Christmas Tree Farm is maintained throughout the year by the Christmas tree farm manager and students. In the spring, students assist with planting young seedlings and relocating mature transplants to the tree field. In the summer and fall, they shear trees and groom the fields. Once the Christmas tree farm opens, students assist visitors with choosing a Christmas tree, cutting down the tree and loading the tree on their vehicle.
If you’re purchasing a live tree this season, please consider a visit to the Boys Home Christmas Tree Farm. The purchase will support an organization that serves as a home for the holidays and all year round for over forty young men.
Tree Farm Dates and Hours for 2022
Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday
November 25, 26, 27 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Open Saturday and Sunday
December 3-4, 10-11 and Saturday, December 17 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Santa will be here for photos on December 3 and 4 | 11:00 AM — 3:00 PM
Address: 1118 Bear Wallow Flat, West Augusta, VA, 24485
