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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Donnie E. Wheatley recently walked across Virginia to call attention to Boys' Home. Read on, and use the links above, for recounting of his great feat (or is that great feet?) that allowed us to reconnect with many of our supporting congregations and friends and tell our story as we prepare to celebrate our 100th anniversary. We also want to thank the many contributors who helped Donnie raise over $100,000 to benefit Boys' Home.
Such a complex answer to such a simple question.
Following my wife Mary’s death in February 2003, I kind of wandered around like a boat without an anchor.
With a depressed appetite and poor sleep pattern I started losing weight. When the skin got slack enough to hang,
I decided to hit the gym. Workouts were more to use up unwanted down time, time with nothing left except to sit
in an empty house, than to reach any other goal.
In the fall of 2003, a friend told me that she was going to walk in the Susan Komen Foundation’s 3-Day – 60
mile walk in Washington, D.C. and wanted to know if I would also. I said “sure” and added a long walk
to my routine each weekend.
One of my weekend walks was an overnight 50 miler on The Greenbrier River Trail. While it was tough, given the
first 12 miles were in a thunderstorm, it demonstrated that I could, in fact, do long distances with a quick recovery.
I continued my training regimen up to and through the 3-Day – 60 mile walk in August.
In 2005, Boys' Home began its 100th year of service to neglected, dependent and troubled boys. Something was needed
to bring such a significant milestone of an important ministry to the attention of the general public. After discussing
several different ideas with staff, trustees, supporters and public relations folks, a walk across Virginia was proposed
to the Trustees at their October meeting.
With their concurrence, the details were established and the walk planned.
Why do I walk? I do it to honor my late wife Mary Andrews Wheatley, recognize 100 years of meaningful ministry and
to celebrate God’s Love for all of us as evidenced by the sending of His Son Jesus Christ!
There is plenty of room on this Trane Across Virginia. Please check out the rest of the website and make a choice to
support Boys' Home’s Walk Across Virginia and to even join us along the way.
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