Wish List for Spring

Batteries, all sizes                                 Personal Care Items:
Photo Frames, 8 X 10                              Body Wash, Deodorant,
Shower shoes                                           Lotion, Chapstick, Razors
Playing and UNO cards                       Board games
Dress Socks                                        Envelopes
Work Gloves                                      Gardening Tools
Spring/Summer Planting Bulbs             Sporting Equipment
Gift Certificates                                   Gift Cards
Flower Seed Packets

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H’Olympics in June

In June, 20 boys and staff members are planning a trip to New Jersey to take part in the H’Olympics. Held June 14-18 at Ramapo College in Mahweh, New Jersey, the H’Olympics is an annual athletic competition for children's homes.

Although winning is important, the objective of the games is sportsmanship and teamwork is emphasized for all participants.

According to Mr.  Dennis Fitzgerald, Activity Director, “The core idea of the H’Olympics is to gather for an educational experience so the teams can socialize and learn about the lifestyles of other kids from other children's homes.”

The Boys’ Home team will be participating in basketball, volleyball, track and field, swimming and softball.  The cost for each team member is $300. 

If you would like to help sponsor a team member, please call Jerome at 540/965-7714 for more information.

The trip promises to be a great summer experience.

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Who’s Watching….

The Boys’ Home basketball team has many young players. Out of the 10 players on the roster, only 2 have played organized basketball before. The expectations for the season are to keep improving as the season progresses and to individually improve their basketball skills and their teamwork by the end of the season.

Coach Dennis Fitzgerald is again the man in charge of the Hilltoppers.  He has been involved in basketball for over 40 years and is well versed in sharpening the skills of inexperienced players. Jerome Johnson, Development Assistant for Communications, is the Assistant coach.

However, the real lesson for this season involves watching and it is emphasized at every practice. Coach Fitzgerald’s mantra is, “It’s easy to do the right thing when someone watches you, but you also need to do the right thing even when you think nobody is watching you.” Of course the legendary Coach John Wooden stated, “True character is what you do when no one is watching.” These young players are encouraged to develop the right frame of mind, on and off the court.

This season has been a memorable one. In a season opening tournament at Pathway Christian Academy in Christiansburg, the coach for the host team noticed that the Boys’ Home team wearing shoes not suitable for playing. (The Boys’ Home team’s shoes had been delayed in shipping and the players were wearing personal footwear.) The Pathway team decided to donate their extra, gently used basketball shoes to the Boys’ Home team. This grand gesture from an opposing team was greatly appreciated.  

The Hilltoppers responded with their own kind gesture. In response to the earthquakes in Haiti, the players donated their own money, which the coaches each matched, to a relief fund.

Now that the season is ending, the win-lose record is not on the plus side. But in each game they have played hard from the opening tip to the final whistle. This hard work on the court has been noticed by everyone from opposing coaches to referees. Nelson Fox, the coach from Parry McCluer High School stated, “This team has been the most polite team we’ve ever played. They taught my players a great lesson on sportsmanship.” All that comes back to what they learn on the “Hill” which is do the right thing, even when no one is watching.

(One of the team’s players, Johnnie, was the feature story in the Roanoke Times’ Christmas Day issue. The story focused on Johnnie’s journey from his home in Florida to Boys’ Home. This story may be read on link to the website.)

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Labels for Education and Boxtops for Education

            We continue to participate in the Campbell’s Labels for Education program. If you have any labels, send them to Boys’ Home.  Thanks!  We are also participating in the Boxtops for Education program.

          If you need information about the labels and boxtops that are eligible, please call us at 540/965-7714 and speak with Sandra or Jerome.

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