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This issue of the newsletter is
particularly meaningful as we bid "Godspeed"
to our graduating seniors, bask in the
national recognition of our long-time
supporter, Bob Copenhaver, and prepare for
the induction into the Hall of Fame and
retirement for Boys’ Home employee, Martha
Terry.
With these endings also come the
beginnings that the new school year promises
to bring.
Although Boys’ Home is sometimes called
one of Virginia's best kept secrets, our
program is not always incognito.
Once a young man is accepted into the
program and begins to focus on his mental,
physical, social and spiritual growth, the
secret is out. The gains the young men are
achieving at the Boys’ Home School have a
dramatic impact on each student’s
self-esteem. It isn’t long before they
discover that education and learning can
actually be fun and rewarding!
Boys’ Home helps open new doors for boys
who have promise but limited options. We
offer a life-changing residential program.
The natural, mountainous setting and caring
staff help set boys on a path for a better
future.
Learning to make good choices is a part
of growing up. We give our kids a chance to
explore - not just the hills, swimming holes
and woods - but also themselves.
The success of the Boys’ Home program is
news that is just too good to keep a secret,
so please share our story with your family
and friends.
Thank you and God Bless.
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The Rev. Dr. Robert T. Copenhaver (left)
and Donnie Wheatley received national
recognition from the Coalition on
Residential Education. The awards were
presented at the annual CORE conference held
in Philadelphia.
Bob Copenhaver received the Philanthropic
of the Year award for his 35 year
association with Boys’ Home. Bob and his
wife Mimi were the co-chairs of the recently
completed Second Century campaign for Boys’
Home.
Donnie Wheatley received the
Administrator of the Year award. Donnie
first came to Boys’ Home as a resident in
1959 and has been the Executive Director for
22 years.
Also attending the awards ceremony were
Bonnie Wheatley and Greg and Janet Lemmer,
representing the Boys’ Home staff .
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The term "big man on campus" has lots of
meanings but, at Boys’ Home, all high school
seniors end up with that classification from
the younger guys.
For Matt, the term "big man on campus"
literally means just that. For the three
years that Matt was at Boys’ Home he
literally grew up, physically and mentally.
As his physique suggests even to the casual
observer, he is interested in all sports:
playing football, basketball, baseball,
track and lifting weights.
But for Matt, his special memories of
Boys’ Home centered on his mental
development and the honor roll trips. "Those
trips made me want to do better in school."
He also enjoyed spending time with the
younger residents and teaching them how to
throw a baseball in the field or play
football.
Matt is originally from Virginia’s
Northern Neck and he had never even heard of
Boys’ Home before making the trip to
Covington. Now he has returned to his
hometown with a new appreciation of the
Virginia mountains. Matt is studying at a
community college. He hopes to complete a
technical program in two years and work in
the Tidewater area.
Ronnie is from Maryland. He’s a big man
on campus because he spent 5 years at Boys’
Home and knows the ins and outs of cottage
life.
Ronnie completed his high school years at
Alleghany High School, playing football and
soccer and competing as a member of the high
school track team.
His special memory is scoring 8 points
during the Boys’ Home basketball season. He
also enjoyed going to the H’Olympics and
snow tubing on special trips.
Ronnie plans to study health education at
the community college level with the hopes
of finding a satisfying medical career.
Robert was not a big man on campus
because of his physique or his extended
length of stay at Boys’ Home. Robert was a
big man on campus because of the courage it
took for him to come to Boys’ Home and
finish his senior year at a new school,
Alleghany High School.
From South Carolina, Robert’s best
memories are of playing basketball, a sport
he enjoys no matter where he is. His first
thoughts of Boys’ Home were "this is going
to take some getting used to."
Robert’s plans after graduation are still
a little sketchy although he is considering
a stint in the Navy. He’ll have plenty of
opportunities to get used to new places if
he does!
So, our wish is "Fair winds and following
seas" to our seniors and our hope for many
more Happy Endings!
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Mrs. Martha C. Terry, Executive Director
Assistant at Boys' Home, Inc. received an
award from the Virginia Association of
Children’s Homes, honoring her 15 years of
service as Secretary of the association.
The award is a sculpture of five children
looking over a fence with a wooden base
inscribed "in honor of Martha C. Terry for
distinguished service to children through
her dedicated service as Secretary of the
Virginia Association of Children’s Homes
1991 – 2006."
The award was presented by William D.
Rice, Jr., past president of VACH.
Mrs. Terry was appointed in 1991 by Mr.
Travis Tysinger, former Executive Director
of Boys' Home to serve as secretary, though
unofficially she has served since 1980.
Mrs. Terry said, "Through the years of
meetings and trainings, I have visited the
campuses of almost all the children’s homes
who are members of the VACH."
VACH is an organization of private,
non-profit agencies dedicated to serving
children and families in need. The services
offered cover a wide range of needs and are
delivered by a multitude of programs.
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Changes in the Commonwealth of
Virginia’s Neighborhood Assistance Program
began July 1, 2007. Individuals that donate
to charities may use both the charitable
donation on their federal tax return and the
NAP credit on their state taxes. The tax
credit will be 40% of the donation value.
To take part in this program, donations
from individuals, businesses and
professionals must be made directly to Boys’
Home and be unrestricted.
Donors are encouraged to seek advice from
their tax advisor. A NAP Contribution
Notification Form (CNF) must be jointly
prepared by the donor and Boys’ Home for
submission to the Virginia Department of
Social Service. The NAP office will forward
a tax credit certificate to the donor. The
process generally requires 4-6 weeks before
the donor receives the certificate.
The program operates on a fiscal year of
July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. If you
have any questions, please call Boys’ Home
at 540-965-7714 or check with your tax
advisor.
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No, we are not talking about hitchhiking.
We take our kids lots of places like sports
practices and games, school activities,
doctor and dentist appointments, off campus
work - the list goes on and on. With active
teens, we provide lots of rides!
We were very fortunate this spring to
purchase two used minivans. Donnie Wheatley
showed the minivans to Dennis Pinner, Alumni
representative on the Board of Trustees.
Boys’ Home received a 2006 grant from PMECF
to help with transportation needs and
purchased the two minivans.
But with other vehicles showing over
120,000 miles on the odometer, we know we
need a replacement sedan soon too.
So, if you are wondering just what Boys’
Home needs, think of our transportation
needs and give us a lift!
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New
Beginnings
The beginning of the 2007-08 Boys’ Home
School year is the 6th year the
school has been open on campus. Director Joe
Carpenter and Assistant Director Max Shawver
welcomed the students and teachers back to
school in August.
Here’s Surf
and Turf, Boys’ Home Style!
During the summer months, the term "Surf
and Turf" takes on a different meaning at
Boys’ Home. The "surf" like Joshua hooked,
means fishing in the creek and ponds on
campus. Joshua placed second for his catch
in the fishing contest organized by Danny
Cale and Lonnie Dillard.
But the "turf" means landscaping, either
mowing and tending the campus lawns and
fields. T.J. and Ivan know that "turf "also
extends to the fields of Christmas trees at
the Boys’ Home Christmas Tree farm in West
Augusta!
The David E. Rhea Outdoorsman Award
This award, given in memory Alleghany
County native David Rhea, is presented to
the resident who most shares David’s love of
the outdoors. Matt received the award
as recognition for his love of outdoor
activities.
Matt also was awarded the Michael Folland
Award, The George Floyd Rogers Award and the
Joseph and Hilda C. Dent Memorial Award.
Rebecca Rhea, David's mother, presented
the award. Mrs. Rhea also teaches at the
Boys’ Home School.
Remembrance Poster for Virginia Tech
Drakkar and Brad encouraged others to
sign a remembrance poster designed by Boys’
Home staff, Jeremy Cronin and Donnie
Costigan. The poster was signed by the boys,
staff and visiting board members. Chaplain
Jackson delivered the poster to Canterbury
House on the Virginia Tech campus to support
those affected by the tragedy.
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