For some kids, summertime means camp, vacations, ice cream on the boardwalk, and the pool. For others, summertime means the loss of breakfast, lunch, and a weekend backpack of food. It means being home alone all day, while parents are working.

We currently have 10 projects in the pipeline, three of which are focused on creating safe spaces and giving kids the tools they need to develop and succeed. At Communities of Trust, we’ll renovate a two-story building so that kids have a safe place to go, where they’ll learn the skills they need to make good choices that affect their future; increase graduation rates; and create an outlet to strengthen relationships with family, friends, and law enforcement. At the Kid’s Club of Northern Shenandoah, we’ll give kids the gift of play with the installation of a fully funded playground, complementing the Project Playhouse that Stanley Martin Homes built and donated this spring. At Mobile Hope, we are supporting an organization that exists solely to provide support and emergency shelter for youth up to age 24 who are at-risk, precariously housed, or homeless, empowering them to become self-sufficient.

Regardless of the reason why kids are at risk – whether they’re persons of color, LGBTQ+, have aged out of foster care, are living in poverty, are domestic violence survivors, or living through any other number of challenges – the nonprofit partners we work with are all taking the lead on providing preventative services to at-risk youth in Virginia, and HomeAid is happy to do our part to help support every stage of a child’s development. From carefree play to nutrition and medical care to relationship building, we want to ensure kids are learning and growing year-round. This type of work doesn’t happen without our generous donors and supporters, if you’re interested in learning more about our projects or how you can get involved please reach out out to me anytime.

Sun, rain, dark clouds, blue sky … we saw it all at our Builders & Friends BBQ, and it didn’t slow down nearly 350 partners, supporters, and guests from gathering at the beautiful National Botanic Garden in Chantilly for an evening of friendship and networking, raffle prizes, cold beverages, and a delicious dinner of all-you-can-eat BBQ. Together, we raised $56,000+ to continue our mission of building new lives for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

We also announced and recognized our 2022 Trade Partner of the Year: Velasquez Contractor, Inc. (VCI), a residential framing installation company founded in 1990. The award is presented annually to a Trade Partner that has gone above and beyond in their service to HomeAid and our nonprofit partners, and VCI is the epitome of service leadership: Since 2010, VCI has participated in 11 construction projects and donated over $60,000 in labor, time, materials, and expertise – for organizations that work with people battling everything from neurological disease to food insecurity to homelessness. Most recently, VCI worked with Stanley Martin Homes to build a custom playhouse for an after-school and summer kid’s club, and over the years, they’ve contributed more than $30,000 in financial support and sponsorships.

Enormous thanks to our many sponsors,

Check out our online photo album of this year’s BBQ!

As Raspberry Falls Golf & Hunt Club prepares once again to host our Annual Golf Tournament in September, we sat down with Gilbert Charite to find out a little more about the man who helps put the magic behind every golf tournament, keeps everything running smoothly, and welcomes everyone with a smile.

Q: Tell us a little bit about your career at Raspberry Falls. What does your typical day look like?

A: Raspberry Falls is a great place to work. I’ve been employed there since 1997, and, in 2006, I was nominated Employee of the Year for the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce awards, which was a huge honor. I usually get to work between 5:00 and 6:00 a.m., depending on the function of the day; if there’s a tournament – which there often is! – I will set up registration, set up the range, get sponsor signs on carts, make sure the swag bags are where they need to be, and stage the front to meet and greet arriving golfers and help with loading their bags. While I think of my role at the golf course to be behind the scenes, getting everything ready before golfers arrive, it’s true that for many, I’m the face of Raspberry Falls. I’m often the first person they see when they arrive.

Q: What makes for a successful golf tournament?

A: You need to have great advertising, an effective sponsor recruitment program, a strong foundation that people believe in and want to support, and great volunteers. But mostly, you need the tournament to benefit a great cause, like HomeAid.

Q: What do you love most about your career?

A: Meeting and greeting visitors, working some of the great benefit tournaments, and talking with our guests. I’ve met so many interesting people and have the most beautiful “office” of anyone. It’s a great career!

Thank You for Your Support

Thank you, Toll Brothers, for your generous donation of $124,000, resulting from your hugely successful benefit golf tournament on June 20 at Belmont Country Club. We would also like to thank Darvish Companies for all your work behind the scenes leading up to the event and all the volunteers who arrived before the sun came up to ensure everything ran smoothly. We are so grateful for your continued generosity and support of our mission!

Fore!

We’re looking forward to NVBIA’s Annual Golf Tournament on Monday, July 25 at the River Creek Club, where we’ll provide information about our mission and current projects for all who are there – please stop by and say hello!