(Posted 2024 March)
The BeFriend-A-Child Mentoring program is known for hosting amazing bimonthly enrichment activities in and around Fairfax County. These events help mentors and mentees to bond with one another over free, unencumbered, unadulterated fun! But we all know, nothing in life is free!
So, have you ever stopped to wonder how all these wonderful adventures come about for the kids and mentors? Here’s a little secret…most often, the Befriend-A-Child Mentoring activities are funded by some remarkable local individuals and businesses that support the program’s efforts to encourage youth to make healthy life decisions and to achieve their potential.
One of our most dedicated donors is Tim Barber of Barber Holdings. He has been instrumental in keeping the BAC fun bus rolling both literally and figuratively! In addition to other program support, Tim has been funding the bus transportation for the BAC annual trip to and from Kings Dominion for the past 14 years! The number of bonding moments that have occurred during these trips are too numerous to count, and it is donors like Tim that ensure that the program’s impact continues!
Tim shared, “I started my journey with BeFriend-A-Child in 2010 working with Ann Reiger. Over the course of the past years, I've mentored two young men, and have donated to various BAC events … to help bring enjoyment and awareness to children who might not otherwise have access to outings and events designed to help broaden their scope in life.”
So, on behalf of Volunteer and Partner Services and the Befriend-A-Child Mentoring Program we send our heartfelt thanks to Tim and his organization for the unwavering and often unseen support!
If you or anyone you know would like to follow in Tim’s footsteps and contribute to the success of the BeFriend-A-Child Mentoring Program by donating to an event, becoming a mentor, or sponsoring a child(ren) for summer camp, feel free to reach out to one of the BeFriend-A-Child Mentor Coordinators by email or phone at 703-324-7072.
This article posting is part of The Volunteer Post Newsletter for current and potential volunteers, sponsors and donors interested in supporting children and families in crisis. Learn more about Fairfax County Department of Family Services' Volunteer & Partner Services Program (VPS).