We Needed This! We have been so grateful for the opportunity to see one another and gather in person for vacations, family outings, neighborhood BBQs and pool time with friends. Families of children with medically complex illness have missed the unique environment Better2gether can provide for their children – safe, nurturing, supportive and familiar. These parents missed each other and the special relationships built around the common thread of their medically complex journey.
We have hosted two in person events of the three part Summer Bash Series. You will read about what children have experienced and see their smiles of pure joy that comes from being part of a family that is supported and prepared for the challenges they face.
As Better2gether prepares for tremendous growth this Fall, we are so fortunate to be supported by two local companies that have built community outreach into the fabric of their business. A huge thank you to Jimmy and Chris with RBI Services and Katie Zacherle with Integrity Home Mortgage for your tremendous Give Back programs! We appreciate you! We are grateful for our community of supporters, donors and volunteers that are helping us meet the needs of the growing medically complex community.
See you at my favorite event – Better2gether RVA Cares 5k presented by UPS on September 18th!!
Thank you,
Stephanie Becker
Upcoming Events
WAYS TO BE INVOLVED WITH BETTER2GETHER
Awesome August
Better2gether Summer Bash Series – August 14th – 10-12 noon
Contact Melinda Spivey to volunteer or donate supplies.
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Better2gether RVA Cares 5k presented by UPS
September 18, 2021 – 8am to 12pm (Race starts at 9am)
Gayton Elementary School – 12481 Church Road, Richmond, VA
BEAT THE PRICE INCREASE – SIGN UP TODAY!
The Better2gether RVA Cares 5k presented by UPS is back, in-person on September 18th at Gayton Elementary. This event has something for everyone – runners, walkers, strollers and wagons are all welcome.
There are prizes for top finishers as well those “Best Dressed” and “Most Spirited” folks as well! Stick around for games and activities including a bounce house, Chik-fil-a, Kona Ice and more at the post-event party.
Sign up today and beat the price increase on August 27th.
REGISTER TODAY
Sign up today: www.rvacares5k.com
SEEKING SPONSORS
The Better2gether RVA Cares 5k is a unique event that brings together our families with the community that supports them. We can’t provide this awesome day without our valuable sponsors. Your sponsorship will help Better2gether provide financial relief, outpatient therapies, legal resources, and mental and emotional support. Funding also supports our important programming such as Music Therapy, Gas and Grocery gift cards and Moments Support Group to name a few. Please consider becoming a sponsor and impacting the lives of kids with medical complexity in RVA.
Click here for sponsorship opportunities or contact Stephanie Becker for more information at stephanie@better2getherrva.org.
Thank you to our sponsors: UPS, Call Federal Credit Union, Anthem, Dominion Payroll, Express Oil Change, Short Pump Orthodontics, Guild Mortgage, Meadows Urquhart Acree & Cook and Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. We appreciate you!
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Synapse Signature Nonprofit Neighbor Golf Games
October 14, 2021 – Hunting Hawk Golf Course
Better2gether is excited to be chosen as one of the charity beneficiaries of the Synapse Nonprofit Neighbor Golf Tournament, being held on October 14th at Hunting Hawk Golf Course.
If you are interested in being a sponsor or playing, get more information on this premier golf event for charity here: fundraiser.bid/synapsegolf21.
Events
July Jam
Better2gether Summer Bash Series – July Event
Our Better2gether families gathered together again for our July Jam. Miriam Smith, MT-BC, our B2G Music Therapist, provided a variety of activities for our children. They created Hawaiian leis and pu’ili sticks, practiced traditional Hawaiian dances, and played various musical instruments such as ukulele, kalimba, djembe and bongos.
We are grateful to Art Love for providing art kits and Seasonal Roots for donating boxes of fresh produce. Family passes were also provided by Children’s Museum of Richmond and Flying Squirrls Baseball. Furthermore, thanks to our community donors who contributed snacks, beverages, and other fun musical instruments and toys for our B2G children to enjoy.
Our B2G Staff and Volunteers enjoyed a day with our children creating pu’ili sticks and Hawaiian leis and showed off their dance moves. We are grateful for their time and assistance in making our July Jam event such a success.
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Better2gether Corn Hole Social
On August 18th we held a Corn Hole social at Hardywood and had a great time meeting our community and sharing information about Better2gether. A special thanks to Sean Danowski for his support planning the event and Board Member John Comstock for manning the Better2gether table while enjoying a few brews! We appreciate Keith Reynolds with our favorite networking group, Synapse, for joining us!
It’s always great to see our families at events and appreciate their support of Better2gether. Thanks you Shirley, India and Dylan for being incredible Better2gether Ambassadors!
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Community Partners
RBI Services Home – Auto Quote Give Back
Our friends Jimmy Comer and Chris Smith of RBI Services have dedicated their support of Better2gether through their Home & Auto Quote Give Back Program.
RBI will donate:
– $10 for every home or auto quote
– They will increase that donation to $25, if they quote both your home AND auto.
Maybe it’s time to check that you have the appropriate home and auto coverage by giving them a call!
Visit https://rbisvcs.com
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Katie Zacherle – Integrity Home Mortgage
We appreciate Katie not only as a tremendous supporter of Better2gether for years, but now is utilizing her incredible success as a Mortgage lender with Integrity Home Mortgage to further promote and support our organization.
For every mortgage loan she closes in August and September, Katie will donate $200 to Better2gether.
Thank you Katie for your meaningful support of Better2gether! We hope the next two months are flooded with new client requests, and many happy closings!
Katie Zacherle
Office: 804.464.4741
Mobile: 540.522.9356
Email: KZacherle@IHMCloans.com
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Seasonal Roots
Seasonal Roots always comes through for our families! As you can see, our families were gifted boxes of fresh vegetables and fruits at our July Jam event.
One of our mothers shared a photo of the delicious salad she prepared that evening for her family. We are grateful for the ongoing support and generosity of our community partner.
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PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TODAY!
There are thousands of families in RVA caring for a child with a medically complex illness who have no non-medical support. Please consider donating today so Better2gether RVA can meet the needs of these deserving families and children.
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