Virginia Home residents jump in to give back

Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch, Va.儲存倉Dec. 26--Lap by lap, the swimmers did their part to make the world a better place.For three days early this month, more than 50 of them took turns in the pool, trading their feats of endurance for pledges to help support Lopez Lomong's 4 South Sudan Foundation.When it was all over, the 15th annual Aquathon at the Virginia Home raised more than $10,000 for the foundation set up by Lomong, a one-time boy solider from Sudan who made his way to America and became an Olympic runner."I admire Lopez for what he does," said Tom Conner, the president of the tenant council at the Virginia Home. "It's a good cause. We can help give back and help other people."That other people typically help the residents at the Virginia Home isn't lost on the residents or the staff.The facility in Byrd Park is home to 130 people with significant physical disabilities. Most residents are in wheelchairs, and nearly all require around-the-clock care of one type or another. Most receive some form of government assistance, and the home relies on its endowment, gifts and a big annual fundraiser to make up a deficit in operating costs.But everyone, top to bottom, staff and residents alike, has a dedication to giving back that's evident throughout the building."The spirit of giving here is just amazing," said Robert A. Crouse, the administrator at the Virginia Home."They give just as much as they get," said Belinda A. Falconer, the home's director of development.Residents volunteer throughout the community, and they're as likely to help as they are to be helped.But it was the Aquathon that gave them a regular way to jump in and give back.The facility added a therapy pool in 1994. Within four years, the residents had figured out a way to turn it into a moneymaker."It started out with them creating a miler club for anyone who could swim a mile," said Crouse.That evolved into the fundraiser. In the weeks leading up to it, residents find as many people as possible willing to make pledges. Then they take 30-minute shifts in the three-la迷你倉最平e pool and swim as many laps as they can.It started in 1998 as a one-day event on the first Friday in December. It has grown so big through the years, it now spreads over three days.Many residents swim, and nearly all of the others crowd around the pool to cheer on whoever is swimming."It gets crazy in here," said Falconer.The big surprise, Crouse said, is the money. Every year, the residents pick a cause they want to help. They swim, collect the money, then invite a representative to come by and pick up the check."I think people come in expecting to get a check for a couple hundred dollars," said Crouse.In 15 years, the residents have raised nearly $100,000. The smallest amount was the first year, when $2,118.39 was raised for the American Red Cross. The largest so far is about $12,000, which was raised in 2007 for the Families of the Wounded Fund.This year's take marks the second time in three years that the total has reached $10,000.The money has gone to a wide variety of causes, from the American Cancer Society to William Byrd Community House. Twice, it has gone to disaster relief efforts."I found it truly moving to be complimented on the great job that we're doing by individuals who struggle every day with so much that I take for granted," Hal Epstein, then a Red Cross executive, said in a letter to the Home after receiving a gift from residents. "My understanding of the humanistic ideals of the Red Cross was deepened that day."This year's recipient will continue a trend of tying the resident's fundraiser into the Virginia Home's annual fundraiser. In March, Lomong will be in town for the "Stories of Courage and Grace" night at The Jefferson Hotel.During the day, he'll be at the Virginia Home. At night, he'll help Crouse and Falconer try to persuade others to stop by for a visit."When we get people in the door, it's an easy sell," said Crouse.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 the Richmond Times-Dispatch (Richmond, Va.) Visit the Richmond Times-Dispatch (Richmond, Va.) at .timesdispatch.com Distributed by MCT Information Services迷你倉