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Fourth Annual Boys Home Harvest Hustle is a Huge Success!

On Saturday, November 7^th, Boys Home its 4^th annual fall fundraiser, the Harvest Hustle 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon, at the Intervale Trailhead of the Jackson River Scenic Trail! COVID-19 has presented many challenges, but amazingly this event turned out to be the most successful year ever! One hundred and thirty-eight participants gathered to compete on this exceptionally beautiful, fall day. Racers from all over Virginia and West Virginia, as well as Minnesota, Missouri, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Maryland were in attendance.

All pre-registered participants received a long sleeve t-shirt with race logo, and everyone received a one-of-a-kind participation medal as they crossed the finish line. A collectable pint glass was given to the top 3 fastest male and female racers in each age group. First place also received a gift certificate to Lex Running Shop. The overall top male and female racer for each race won a collectable acrylic Boys Home Harvest Hustle house trophy. Coffee, hot chocolate, water, Gatorade, pre-packaged snacks, and bananas were available for runners to enjoy before and after each event.

Overall winners in the 5K race were Erik Honaker (18) of Clifton Forge, VA finishing at 18:22 and Priscilla Keller (15) of Roanoke, VA with a time of 20:34. Overall winners in the WestRock 10K race were Randolph Shelton (45) of Mechanicsville, VA with a time of 41:32 and Monette Williams (44) of , Lewisburg, WV finishing at 53:30. The overall winners for the WestRock Half Marathon were Brian Phillips (44) of Broadway, VA with a time of 1:26:29 and Jennifer Curtin (52) of Raleigh, NC finishing at 1:41:46.

The finish times for each race are listed on www.runforboyshome.org along with photos to commemorate the day. A huge thank you to Run Roanoke and the Covington Rescue Squad, as well as all participants, volunteers and sponsors for making this event possible. Event sponsors included: WestRock, Lexington Prescription Center, Highlands Community Bank, Alleghany Asphalt and Construction, Inc., Campbell Insurance, Silvercrest Asset Management, Balchem Corporation, State Farm Insurance, Spencer Home Center, B.A. Rupert Real Estate Inc., Jackson River Community Credit Union, Edmund Davidson Knives, McDonough Toyota, Updike, Nicely, and Crawford, The Rail Bar and Grille, Slaughter and Slaughter Family Dentistry, Loving Funeral Home, Valley Supermarket IGA, Lex Running Shop, and Barnwood Living. Boys Home is grateful for their generosity and support!

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 November 6, 2021. All are invited to participate in this challenging, fun, and exciting event which will only grow bigger and better! More info will be posted soon at www.runforboyshome.org.

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P. Buckley Moss Raffle

Congratulations to Dr. Thomas Walker of Emporia, Virginia, the 2020 winner of the P. Buckley Moss print of Natural Bridge. He is pictured here with his wife, Barbara. This year’s raffle raised $6400.00, which will go toward helping our students grow into successful young men. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Boys Home of Virginia successfully celebrates Mr. Donnie Wheatley’s 35 years of service

On Thursday, October 15^th and Friday, October 16^th, Boys Home of Virginia hosted a successful event to honor their executive director, Mr. Donnie Wheatley’s 35 years of service.  Friends, family and supporters called Mr. Wheatley to congratulate him and made pledges toward the $35,000.00 fundraising goal.

To add to the fun, on Friday afternoon at 2:00 p.m., the staff and students “Stuck it to Mr. Wheatley!”.  They literally stuck him to a wall with duct tape! Amazingly enough, it really worked! Everyone enjoyed taking a turn at putting a stretch of tape on Mr. Wheatley! When all the tape had been strategically placed, the bench he was standing on was removed and he was suspended about 18 inches off the floor, stuck to the wall. Laughter filled the gym and everyone’s hearts.

The afternoon wrapped up with a presentation of a special quilt made by Mr. Wheatley’s sister, Phyllis Gibson, and signed by various staff, friends and family. He was also presented a stainless steel award created by Tony Williams at Williams Fabrication Inc. Cake and refreshments were enjoyed by all.

Boys Home is thankful to everyone who participated and made donations during this celebration. Without the generosity and dedication of the community, Boys Home would not have reached their fundraising goal! All donations will be used to support the mission of Boys Home, helping young men develop their potential and become productive members of society.