the boys appeal
NEWS FROM BOYS HOME OF VIRGINIA| WINTER 2024
WHAT'S LEARNED HERE IS FOR LIFE
CHRIS DOYLE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
414 Boys Home Road | Covington | VA | 24426
Website | boyshomeofva org
Email | info@boyshomeofva.org Phone | 540.965.7700
Dear Friends and Supporters of Boys Home,
Mr ChrisDoyle,MEd,MBA ExecutiveDirectorBOARDOFTRUSTEES:
President:Mr JohnWilliams
VicePresident:Mr.PerryWilliams
Treasurer:Mr KennethRobison
TheRt Rev MarkBourlakas Bishop DioceseofSouthwesternVirginia
TheRev CanonMarkFurlow BishopRepresentative DioceseofSouthwesternVirginia
TheRt Rev SusanHaynes Bishop DioceseofSouthernVirginia
TheRev CanonRoyHoffman Representative DioceseofSouthernVirginia
Dr DemetriaBates
Mr.MatthewCompher
Mr DavidCopenhaver
Mr DennisCross
TheHon PhilipDiStanislao,Jr
Mr EricGreenwood
Mr RobertMiller
Ms AnnPatterson
Mr DaleReed
TheRev ChrisRoussell
Mr.Bernard“Bud”Syme
Mr RamonWilliams
Mr RobertMills
Mr BobbyTrice AlumniRepresentative
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. As we begin a new year at Boys Home of Virginia, I am excited to share a compelling and inspiring new concept that embodies our mission and vision: "What's Learned Here is For Life."
For over one hundred years, Boys Home has been committed to providing a nurturing and structured environment where young men discover their full potential. Our dedicated staff, supportive community, and generous supporters have played a crucial role in shaping the lives of countless young men over the years. As we reflect on our past achievements and look toward the future, we are driven by a renewed sense of purpose.
"What's Learned Here is For Life" captures the core values and principles that guide our educational and residential programs. This concept is a reminder that the lessons learned at Boys Home extend far beyond academic knowledge; they are life lessons that provide the tools they need to navigate the challenges of adulthood with resilience, integrity, and purpose. We will be implementing new initiatives, expanding existing programs, and collaborating with community partners to ensure that our students are not only academically prepared but also possess the life skills and values that will serve them well
Your continued support is vital in helping us create an environment where every student at Boys Home can thrive and carry the lessons learned here into their futures as successful young men Together, we will make "What's Learned Here is For Life" not just a concept, but a guiding principle that transforms lives and builds a brighter future for every young man who enters our program.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment to Boys Home of Virginia. Your support directly impacts the lives of the young men we serve.
Onward
Chris Doyle Executive Director
Boys Home of Virginia
Christmas on “The Hill”
A truly magical season begins at Boys Home after the students return from Thanksgiving break. The Christmas traditions create the perfect backdrop for special holiday memories to be made by all In spiritual life, weekly chapel services focused on the advent wreath with a new candle being lit each week in preparation for remembering Christ’s birth on December 25.
Additionally, on December 1 and 2, several Boys Home students participated in the Clifton Forge and Covington Christmas Parades. The Grinch-inspired float, designed by Mr. Sarratt and students, won “Best Float” in the Clifton Forge Parade.
The traditions continued with the third annual “Seven Days of Christmas” challenge Each day a new activity would earn participants points. A twist to the challenge this year was locating a hidden ornament and elf each day. The student winner was a six way tie between David Blankson-Mills, Kelvin Blankson-Mills, Brian Blankson-Mills, Keith Eddy, Carson Bogan and Paul Voigts The staff winner was a tie between Jessica Rhine and Laura Robertson
The season continued with the oldest tradition, the Christmas cottage decorating competition The event dates back to the early 1960’s. On December 8, five individuals from a local supporting business, Ingevity, gathered for the judging. The judges commented several times on the strong competition this year, as they toured seven cottages. A student representative from each cottage took the judges through and highlighted the outside decorations, Christmas tree and inside decorations The overall winners include: 1st place - Brown Cottage, 2nd place was a tie between Sam’s Cottage and Watkin’s Cottage and 3rd place - Greene Cottage. Additional winners were 1st place for Christmas tree corations - Sam’s Cottage and 1st place outside decorations -
Student snowman
The grinch-themed parade float
Student Kenneth was all smiles with Santa. Gift time for Justus
Students played the Christmas emoji game
John Mark was excited for Christmas!
Best inside decorations - Sam’s Cottage
The Ingevity judges paused for a picture Carson was thrilled on the win! The judges outside of Watkin’s Cottage
MIKE NUNNALLY | ALUMNI CORNER
ForMikeNunnally,lifebeforeBoysHomeofVirginiawasoneofdailystruggleandabuse.OriginallyfromNorfolk,Virginia,a 12-year-oldMikearrivedatBoysHomein1956.Hewouldstaythrough1963,whenhegraduatedfromCovingtonHigh School.Mikestated,“IamfortunatethatReveredRose,thepriestatChurchOfTheAscensionwhereIattended, recognizedmydesperateneedforanewlivingenvironmentandsentatelegramtoBoysHome’sExecutiveDirectorBob Burrowes.IwasawreckwhenIfirstarrivedandevenranawayafewtimes.Ultimately,mytimetherebecamethe foundationformywholelife Thestructurethatoccurreddailymademedisciplined Ifyoumessedup,youhadtomakeup Ialsolearnedthevalueoffirstimpressionsandmanners,whichIstillusetothisday”
PriortoBoysHome,Mike’soldersistermadesureheattendedalocalEpiscopalchurchbeginningatagesix Heeven joinedthechoir.AfterarrivingatBoysHome,MikeandalltheyoungmenattendedEmmanuelEpiscopalChurchevery Sunday.Inthespringof1956hewasbaptizedinthechapelatBoysHome.Mikestated,“Inmymostdifficultmoments,I knewGodwasthere.Ihavehadangelswatchingovermeintheformofpeoplemywholelife.Theywouldtouchmylifein tremendousways.”
Inadditiontohisinterestingrowinghisfaith,MikehadatruepassionforsportswhileatBoysHome.Inparticular,he enjoyedbasketballandbaseball Mikerecalled,“WhenIwasatBoysHometherewereninetyboys,athleticswerehuge We weregreatandIamnotjustsayingthat!MysenioryearBoysHomefinishedtheseason17-1inbasketballand12-0in baseball.MycoachwasPaulSiplewhobecamemyrolemodel.”Mikeexcelledinhiscottageaswell.InGreeneCottage, heassumedtheroleofaproctor(studentleader).Mikestated,“Ilearnedhowtogetalongwith14otherboysandwhatit tooktobeagoodleader.”
Afterhighschool,MikeattendedBridgewaterCollegein1963,whereheplayedbasketballandbaseball Hejoinedthe Armyin1966andservedinVietnamin1967 AfterthreeyearsintheArmy,Mikereturnedandfinishedhisundergraduate degree.Afterward,heattendedMadisonCollege(JamesMadisonUniversity)wherehereceivedamaster’sdegreein physicaleducationin1971.MikeusedhiseducationinLoudounCountypublicschoolsforthirty-oneyearsasaphysical educationteacherandcoach.HebroughthiscoachingskillsbacktoBoysHomeforabasketballclinicin2018.Afterward, hebecamethebasketballcoachfrom2018-2020.
Outofallofhisachievements,Mikewasmostexcitedtodiscusshistwochildren Hestated,“Mychildrenareeverythingto me.Istillgetemotionalwhentalkingaboutthem.ItwasmygoaltogivethemabetterlifethantheoneIhadasachild.” MikeistheproudfathertohissonPeteandhisdaughterBrooke.PeteisnowanEpiscopalpriest.Together,MikeandPete servedonninemissiontripstohelprebuildafterHurricaneKatrinahitinNewOrleans,Louisiana.Brookeisanoffice managerinReston,Virginia,forTheCollegeBoard.Mikeistheproudgrandfathertoherchildren,EdithNunnallyand AugustMcKulsky.
Foryears,Mike’schildrenencouragedhimtoputhisstoryintoprint AfteravisitbacktoBoysHomeinDecember2022, Mikeaccessedhisoriginalfilefrom1956.Thatwasthepushheneededtofulfillhischildren’srequest.InOctober2023,he independentlypublishedhismemoir,Unchained:AJourney savailableonAmazon.He hopeshisbookwillinspireothersandofferamessageofh
h l h h dh lf omeofVirginia.M oyandittaughtm h wtotreatoth th
“Boys Home saved my life! My story began as one of pain but became one of resilience, triumph and transformation.”
Time for football Working on his foul shot Mike with his memoir Pete, Brooke and Mike (left/right)
August, Mike and Edith (left/right)
FARM FABLES
Since the summer of 2023, the Boys Home farm has continued to change and develop. It welcomed three guinea fowl, ten chickens, five goats and a pig named Jocie Sue. The students played a critical role in helping build new fencing for the goats and an enrichment course for play to help ease boredom and promote exercise In December, one of the goats, Maple, delivered a beautiful baby, Max
In addition, the fall semester of equine class was a success. The learning focused on horse behavior, nonverbal communication, body language and the basics of riding. As the students interacted with the horses, it was a teaching opportunity for how to interact with not only animals but humans as well. For example, the students dealt with the emotion of frustration when the horse did not immediately do what the student asked. The importance of body language and effective communication was stressed. An example was given with their frustration toward the horse not listening to perhaps the frustration of a teacher or houseparent when working with a student.
Every day on the farm is an adventure A typical week may include putting together a duck pen, learning about electrical wiring or delivering a goat. Students learn best through hands-on experience. Farm Manager Linda Angle stated, “I want the young men who help on the farm or participate in equine to develop a strong work ethic, learn the value of teamwork, develop problem solving skills and the responsibility of caring for others, not just themselves. Also, the principle of successes and failures. On the farm, like in life, not everything goes according to plan. These values and principles will help them in life beyond Boys Home in becoming positive contributors in their families and communities ”
Michael haltered the horse for equine.
Bryson participated in equine class with Mrs Angle
Goat enrichment course
The goats love snacks!
Bryson and Kemon (left/right)
Michael provided the animals clean water.
BOYS HOME KEY CLUB
The Boys Home Key Club has been serving local communities for over ten years. The twenty-member organization volunteers for numerous activities and events, while serving as goodwill ambassadors for Boys Home. At the Covington Street Scene event in August 2023, members assisted at a bake sale organized by Boys Home supporter and volunteer, Karen Robertson. All proceeds were donated to the Boys Home playground project
The fall season kept the club busy! In September, Key Club members served as waiters at the annual Bath County Plein Air Festival outdoor dinner. This was the second year the club assisted with the event.
In October, the club sponsored a Red Cross blood drive on campus and met its goal of nineteen units collected. Twelve staff members and seven Key Club members donated blood. Six members were brave firsttime donors. Club member and first-time blood donor, Micheal Donald, stated, “I saw it as an opportunity to not only help the community but someone in need It’s important to give back ” At the end of October, the club volunteered at the annual YMCA Halloween Spooktacular, coordinating the games for the over three hundred children in attendance.
The Boys Home Key Club Season of Service began in December with numerous community activities planned throughout the month The major event was assisting at the Christmas Mother Shop, a local program in Covington, Virginia, to support families in need during the holiday season. Several members helped for three days of distribution in mid-December. Josh Eng, Key Club president, was a superstar! Josh insisted on working all three days and accumulated twenty hours of volunteer service Key Club is an excellent program for the Boys Home students as it works to instill both responsibility and servant leadership.
Kenneth, Carveon and Sage (left/right) Plein Air Dinner
Alumnus Donnie, Justus and Josh (left/right) Covington Street Scene
Josh with the 2023 Christmas Mother.
Carveon (right) brought out his inner child at the Halloween event.
Michael offered Principal Johnson a snack at the blood drive
Ephy and Kenneth (left/right) at the Christmas Mother Shop.
HARVEST HUSTLE | OCTOBER 28, 2023
Save the Date | 8th Annual Harvest Hustle | 11.2.2024
The 7th annual Harvest Hustle was held on Saturday, October 28. One hundred and fifteen enthusiastic participants gathered at the Intervale Trailhead of the Jackson River Scenic Trail for the 5K, 10K and HalfMarathon races Josh, a seventh-year participant, was asked why he signed up for the race He stated, “I like to push myself with each race and see if I can reach a higher standard.”
The mild fall temperatures were the perfect backdrop for the friendly competition with racers from Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Utah Bottled water and Gatorade were provided by sponsors for participants, along with the tasty baked goods, coffee and specialty teas for sale by local Covington vendor, Kanawha Café. All runners received a long-sleeved t-shirt with the race logo and a one-of-akind participation medal as they crossed the finish line.
The Harvest Hustle is made possible through the generosity of our committed sponsors! A huge thank you to the following event sponsors: Lexington Prescription Center, Alleghany Highlands Community Services, WestRock, Highlands Community Bank, Silvercrest Asset Management, TTCE/E-ZPass VA, Campbell Insurance, Old Dominion Furniture Company, Persinger Memorial United Methodist Church, McDonough Toyota, K. McConnell Legal, Spencer Home Center, Jackson River Community Credit Union, The Rail Bar and Grille, The Cat & Owl, J & K Electric, West Winds Venue, The Recorder, Edward Jones Investments, The Law Firm of William T. Wilson, Jack Mason’s Tavern & Brewery, Slaughter and Slaughter Family Dentistry, Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative, Grand Home Furnishings, Valley Supermarket IGA, and Lex Running Shop.
Boys Home also appreciates the support of Run Roanoke, the Falling Spring and Covington Rescue Squads, Kanawha Café, Alleghany Parks lunteers for making this event a huge success. The Harvest Hust awareness to our vital mission of positively impacting the lives
Let the race begin!
Fun for all ages
Katherine and Chris Doyle volunteered and ran the race.
Mark Tayl the finish
The female winner of the 10K Alaina Lowman
The male winner of the 5K Cedric Drennen
Jackson River Scenic Trail
BOYS HOME BASKETBALL | 2023-2024 SEASON
y p levelgoingforward.”
VarsityHeadCoach|MarkMiller(pictured
teachingthestudentsnottoreflectonpast s.Iwantthemtolookforwardandplayasone. rningexperienceisn’taloss.Itmeanscome better.Theyareastrongteambothmentally physicallybyshowingupforeverypractice,not ngandhelpingeachother.”
rVarsityHeadCoach|AaronSmith(picturedleft)
“Iwouldliketoseebothteamscontinuetoimproveonthingstheydidwellinthefirsthalfoftheseason. Additionally,toworkharderonsupportingeachotherthroughteamwork.Losingispartofeverysport, howateamrespondsdefinestheircharacter.Everyonehastoriseaboveit.Ifyouneverlose,youare nevertrulytested.Theprocessallowsyoutogrowindividuallyandasateam.”
DirectorofAthleticsandRecreation|AlumnusDonnieCostigan
JUNIOR VARSITY VARSITY
ROW
ROW
FRONT ROW (left/right) | Sedekee Koroma,
Lee
BACK ROW (left/right) | Head Coach Mark Miller, Devyn Humphrey, Ephy Morris, Kenneth Bailey, Kenny Blackwell and Zavain Avant
FRONT (left/right) | Zion Wilkerson, Noe Tenke, John Mark Herring, Kemon Lewis and Josiah Culp BACK (left/right) | DeLeon Lee, Chris Silvas, Head Coach Aaron Smith, Sean Onyekwere and Sedekee Koroma Sage Custalow, DeLeon Lee, Josiah Culp and Carveon
The Navigators
Boys Home Legacy Giving Club
Do you aspire to leave a meaningful legacy? A legacy that will have a lasting impact far beyond a lifetime. The Navigators Society accomplishes that very idea and leads the way for the future of Boys Home. To join the Navigators Society, Boys Home will become part of a bequest, trust, will or another planned giving instrument. Unless you specify its use, your gift will go directly toward helping provide education, clothing, food, shelter and more for the young men we serve 365 days a year.
All gift amounts are welcome to help support Boys Home. Your gift means positive change in the lives of so many young men, proven by the many success stories of current students and alumni.
If you would like to enroll in The Navigators, or to learn more about planned gifts and how to make one, please contact Chris Doyle at 540.965.7704 or cdoyle@boyshomeofva.org.
“If you are going to live , leave a legacy.
Make a mark on the world that can not be erased.”
Maya Angelou
DONATE NOW
Scan the QR code below or visit givetoboyshome.org.
WINTER WISH LIST
AA and AAA batteries
Liquid body wash
Shampoo and conditioner
Body lotion
Tissues
MARCH 22
Trades Building Dedication & Hall of Fame Induction - Donnie E. Wheatley
APRIL 25
Spring Open House
Dedication of E. Bruce Heilman Leadership Center
MAY 4
Boys Home Golf Tournament
MAY 18
Boys Home Graduation Ceremony
MAY 23
Spring Give Local Event
NOVEMBER 2
8th Annual Harvest Hustle
WAYS TO HELP
Let’s keep in touch! Please share your current address, phone number and email with lrobertson@boyshomeofva.org.
Schedule a visit to learn more about the Boys Home experience.
Keep Boys Home in mind if you know a young man in need of our services.
Join the Carpenter's Crew, Boys Home's monthly giving society.
Participate and invite a friend to an upcoming event.
For more information, contact the Development office at 540.965.7703 or lrobertson@boyshomeofva.org.
“WHAT'S LEARNED HERE IS FOR LIFE”
Let’s see the concept in action with the students!
“In just a few months, I have learned that manners are important. I know I need to put my napkin in my lap before a meal and my elbows need to stay off of the table. I also know my room should stay clean and my bed needs to be made every morning. What I have learned, I will be able to use as an adult.”
Carson Bogan | 6th grade | Three months at Boys Home (pictured left)
“I have learned not to drink milk from my cereal bowl, that’s not something I should do at the table. Boys Home has taught me a lot about manners. I have also learned about compassion in my SEE (Social, Ethical and Emotional) Learning class If others didn’t have compassion, the world wouldn’t be the same. This class helps me be more sensitive and understanding toward other people ”
Dasmond Drayer | 7th grade | Six months at Boys Home (pictured right)
“The Boys Home program has helped me in so many ways. I can honestly say, I needed it. I am better from the program and what I have learned in my six years. For example, all males should stand for a female as she approaches the table during mealtimes, as a sign of respect. I have also learned the value in making my bed and keeping my room clean every day.”
Sage Custalow | 11th grade | Six years at Boys Home (pictured left)
“I have learned two main skills at Boys Home, time management and how to use my resources as opportunities. Now that I live in Jack Gordon Cottage (independent living cottage), I have to wake myself up each morning and make it to school on time. A great resource at Boys Home is the small class sizes. If you need help, the teachers are ready to assist. As point guard/shooting guard on the Boys Home varsity basketball team, I use open gym quite a bit. In addition to regular team practices, I spend about six additional hours in the gym working on developing my basketball skills.”
Ephy Morris | 11th grade | Six years at Boys Home (pictured right)
