EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Donnie E. Wheatley completed a Walk Across Virginia in 2005. He did so to call attention to Boys' Home, allow us to reconnect with many of our supporting congregations and friends and to tell our story as we prepared to celebrate our 100th anniversary in 2006. We thank the many contributors who helped Donnie raise over $100,000 to benefit Boys' Home with this great feat (or is that feet?)

WHY I Walk?

Such a complex answer to such a simple question.

Following my first wife’s death in February 2003, I kind of wandered around like a boat without an anchor. I decided to hit the gym. Workouts were more to use up unwanted down time 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 asked me to join her. 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,  I demonstrated that I could go long distances with a quick recovery.

In 2005, Boys' Home began its 100th year of service. After discussing several different ideas with staff, trustees, supporters,  a walk across Virginia was proposed as a way to bring this important ministry to the attention of the general public.

Why did I walk? I did 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!