As we transition out of Summer into Fall, Better2gether too is experiencing many exciting transitions within our organization. We have welcomed Sarah Westphal to our team to help deliver fun and engaging events this coming year. Stefanie Felitto joins our Board of Directors and is impacting our organization and community right off the bat, helping us prepare for a transformational year ahead. We are experiencing growth both internally and externally as we prepare to welcome new families to the organization, offering the support and resources that can only be found with Better2gether.
You will read about some of the big things coming and I hope you get as excited as we are! For those looking for meaningful ways to impact our community, now is the time to be involved! We have opportunities available for all aspects of giving – time, talent and treasure and we welcome you reaching out to find out how you can be part of the ways we are transforming the landscape in Central Virginia for families of children with rare and complex medical illnesses. We can’t wait for you to join our journey!
Thank you,
Stephanie Becker
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Programs
Better2gether supports a unique population of children and their needs require specialized resources and support. Children with a rare or complex medical illness and their families face many challenges, many of which extend beyond their healthcare needs. This population experiences increased barriers to services and often have unequal access to care. The mission of Better2gether is to help reduce these barriers creating a more cohesive support system outside of their medical team.
Soon you will be hearing about a partnership Better2gether is forming with a local organization to bring the first Medical Home model to children facing medical complexity. What does this mean? This model of care unites all aspects of the child’s health journey under one umbrella- medical and nonmedical. Coordination among specialists, communication with outpatient therapies, seamless transitions from medical to non-medical supports are all incorporated into one support system.
As the first clinic of its kind in Richmond, Better2gether is proud to be part of the change coming for families in our community seeking solutions to a fragmented healthcare system. We will be sharing more information in the month to come so be sure you Like our Facebook page (@Better2getherRVA) and check us out on Instagram (better2getherb2g) as well as read November’s newsletter! Big things are on the way!
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Upcoming Events
Synapse Signature Nonprofit Neighbor Golf Games
October 14, 2021 – Hunting Hawk Golf Course
Sponsor. Play Golf. Support a Great Charity.
Better2gether has been selected as a charity beneficiary of this exciting tournament and we want you there on October 14th at Hunting Hawk golf course.
There are a few sponsor opportunities remaining as well as spots for foursomes to play. This event is built around supporting 4 area nonprofits by enlisting our community to join us for a day of golf, a little networking and great raffle prizes. For sponsorship information, click here.
Register Today
Click here for more information and to register as a sponsor or golf team. Please contact Stephanie Becker at stephanie@better2getherrva.org for more information!
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Christmas Under the Clocktower
December 3, 2021 – Main Street Station
Mark your calendar for December 3rd as the 2nd Annual Christmas Under the Clocktower event kicks off at Main Street Station.
20 nonprofits will each decorate a Christmas tree to be on display inside the train station.
Beginning December 3rd through December 10th, the community can vote for their favorite tree and the tree with the most votes wins $1,500, 2nd place wins $1,000 and $500 for third place.
Last year Better2gether won first place! Join us to kick off the holiday season with cheer, and keep our winning streak alive by placing your vote for Better2gether’s Christmas Tree. More information to follow about online voting beginning December 11th.
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Events
Better2gether RVA Cares 5k presented by UPS
Saturday, September 18th was a perfect day to host the 3rd Annual Better2gether RVA Cares 5k at Gayton Elementary School. We welcomed families from our community, volunteers and sponsors for 3.1 miles of walking, running and strolling to benefit families that have children battling a rare or chronic illness.
A huge thank you to our sponsors for making the after party fun for all ages, and our many volunteers for helping coordinate and execute a fun, safe event. Over $22,000 was raised to support Better2gether families in their journey.
Thank you for all who supported this event! Stay tuned for the date of the 4th Annual Better2gether 5k, slated for late October!
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, C&F Bank, NorthBank Partners and Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
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Volunteer Spotlight
Meet Board Member Stefanie Felitto
New England native, Stefanie Felitto, came to Virginia as a college student at William & Mary. And she never left.
An Attorney at Williams Mullen, Felitto is proud to call Virginia her home. Living in Hanover, Stefanie and her husband, John, can frequently be found caring for their two dogs, and enjoying outdoor activities like hiking, gardening, biking, and canoeing.
Although her schedule is a busy one, Stefanie was eager to volunteer with a local organization that benefits children with health care needs, and their families. She heard about Better2gether from a colleague, and wanted to learn more. “I felt a particularly strong connection to B2G because my younger sister had a complex form of a childhood illness, and I saw what an impact that nonprofits can make during that time (she has now been in remission for 27+ years!),” she shares. “After speaking with Stephanie Becker, and seeing her passion for the B2G mission, I was eager to get more involved.”
Stefanie’s commitment to service runs deep. “Involvement in, and service of our community has long been instilled in me,” she says. “Growing up, I was influenced by my father who dedicated his career to helping others as a physician. I also continue to be inspired by my husband who dedicated years of service to our country. We are so fortunate to live in a country with so much opportunity, and I am grateful to do what I can to help give back.”
As Better2gether’s newest Board Member, Stefanie has hit the ground running. Not only did she quickly become an active and valued member of the Board of Directors, she and her husband, John, showed up bright and early to volunteer for the 3rd Annual Better2gether RVA Cares 5K event.
Stefanie is inspired by her B2G colleagues and is excited to be part of the team.
“From what I have seen in a short tenure with this organization, the B2G leadership, as well as the Board, is a force to be reckoned with,” she shares. “Better2gether has cultivated a leadership team with so much energy and passion for their work in the community. I hope to assist with some of the legal questions they have, and volunteer my time on committees and at events to help this organization continue to grow and prosper, and continue to make a huge impact in the lives of families with children with complex illnesses.”
“I really appreciate the introduction to B2G and the opportunity to participate on the Board,” she adds. “I am looking forward to getting more involved!”
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Better2gether in the News
Meet our Special Events & Marketing Coordinator, Sarah Westphal
As owner and operator of Blue Beacon Events, a local event planning and management business, Sarah Westphal’s professional life was already busy and full. She also has a jam-packed social life that includes being recently married to her husband Chad, caring for their shepherd/lab mix Ziggy, enjoying kickboxing, baking, singing karaoke with friends, antiquing, and being such a Wheel of Fortune superfan that she hopes to be a contestant some day!
Yet Sarah was looking for something more. Specifically, she hoped to align herself with a local nonprofit organization that makes a meaningful difference in the community. That’s what led her to Better2gether.
Although Sarah has worked in both the public and private sectors, she spent most of her career working in the nonprofit world, after earning a B.S. in Marketing Management from Virginia Tech and a B.A. in Spanish from Mary Washington University. “For me, meaningful work is most important,” Sarah explains. “Better2gether is fulfilling a huge need in the community for families and children that wasn’t otherwise available. Knowing that I’m making a tangible difference in so many lives was a big factor in my decision to join the organization.”
Being able to combine her expertise in both marketing and event planning was an added bonus. “I really like that I get to combine both marketing and event planning elements in this role,” she shares. “I love the event planning process and look forward to applying my skills and experience to already-existing events and developing new ones, as well.”
Helping Better2gether grow and serve additional families is a priority for Sarah. “Ultimately, I hope that I’m able to improve upon and expand events so that we can continue to raise funds to help more and more families,” she says. “Because B2G is still a fairly young organization, I’d also love to increase awareness about the incredible work they’re doing through marketing initiatives – getting the word out to build resources and gaining community support.”
Sarah views her new role as an ideal fit with her commitment to community and professional skills. “It’s exciting that B2G is in such a large growth period right now because it opens up more possibilities to be creative and take part in opportunities to contribute to the organization in meaningful ways,” she explains. “I’m excited for what’s to come and what this year will bring!”
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Community Partners
Birdies for Charity
We are excited to participate in the Dominion Energy Charity Classic’s 2021 Birdies for Charity program presented by TowneBank where every donation to Better2gether is bonused by 10%.
Through Birdies for Charity you can donate the following ways:
- Donate Online
- Donate by Check
- Donate Stock
- Donate Donor Advised Funds
- Donate via Electronic Funds Transfer
- Donate Required Minimum Distribution from IRA
For more information about the different ways to donate, visit the Donation Guide.
Make your impact go 10% further with Birdies for Charity. The final day to donate is October 24, 2021.
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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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