LETTER FROM KELLY WATERS, VHF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
As we wrap up our fiscal year (July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021), there is no way I can sum up this unprecedented year in just one word or phrase. The words that come to me are challenging, creative, scary, inspiring, uncertain, flexible, together, hopeful, grateful, and thankful. I am so proud of the programs and services that VHF has continued to provide throughout the year, even if they have looked a bit different. This month, you will not want to miss our virtual Annual Meeting on Saturday, June 26th, or our virtual Community Event and Unite Walk Kick-off on Sunday, June 27th. These promise to be some of the best virtual meetings we have had all year!

Moving into the second half of 2021, we will still have some virtual events, but we are looking forward to transitioning into in-person programs. These in-person events include Pop-Up Day Programs facilitated by Camp Holiday Trails in partnership with Hemophilia Association of the Capital Area (HACA) and our Unite for Bleeding Disorders Walk on October 17th at Robious Landing Park in Midlothian, VA. We will continue to monitor and follow local, state, and federal guidelines for gatherings to ensure the safety of our community members.

This year has also shown us that VHF can continue to be a strong and vibrant organization without a physical office space. The VHF Board of Directors has voted to not renew our lease July 1st and to have staff continue working remotely. Our phone number is the same (804) 740-8643, as well as our email addresses. Our new mailing address is 9702 Gayton Road, Suite 277, Richmond, VA 23238. 

We look forward to continuing to serve the Virginia inherited bleeding disorders community and are excited about all the possibilities as we manage these transitions. Please reach out to me at kelly@vahemophilia.org or our VHF staff and Board of Directors if we can be of service to you!
VHF MEETS BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU (BBB) STANDARDS FOR CHARITY ACCOUNTABILTY
VHF is honored to meet the BBB 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. A BBB Wise Giving Alliance evaluation of our organization found that we meet all 20 of the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability which address charity governance, finances, effectiveness reporting, appeal accuracy, website disclosures and donor privacy. Charities that meet all of these standards are called Accredited Charities. These standards also go beyond the requirements of local, state and federal laws and regulations.

We are also thrilled to share the above video which is a part of the BBB Building Trust Video Series which features an interview with Kelly Waters, Executive Director for VHF. Kelly shares information about our mission, who we serve, how we have shifted during COVID, and what it means to be a Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity.
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LET'S CELEBRATE THE 2021 GRADUATES IN OUR COMMUNITY!
We are so proud of the 2021 graduates in the bleeding disorders community and we ask you to join us in celebrating their accomplishments! Thank you to everyone that submitted. If you know someone doing great things in the community that you would like to see highlighted in our next newsletter contact heather@vahemophilia.org.
Austin Gibson "Oh, the places you will go! Austin has completed 4 years of the BTECH Engineering/ VA Western Mechatronics Program and is OSHSA certified, and CPR certified. Austin served for two years on a teen track committee where he got to travel to Texas and New York to help develop education sessions for siblings with an inherited bleeding disorder. He aspires to go into the Coast Guard to work as an engineer. He currently is in training as a Lifeguard and swim trainer for the Botetourt YMCA. We are so proud of his accomplishments and can’t wait to see where he goes."
Nicholas Krecek "Nicholas graduated on May 16, 2021 from the National Conservatory of the Dramatic Arts in Georgetown, DC. He has been invited by the Conservatory to continue refining his skills through their advanced acting program, which he should complete in December 2021."
Eden Laubscher "Eden is a 2021 graduate from Warhill High School, Williamsburg, VA. She is a member of the National Honors Society, a High School Volleyball player and participated in the pep club. Eden has served our community as a Girl Scout for the past 12 years. She will be attending James Madison University in the Fall to study Elementary Education and Counseling."
Josiah Walker "Josiah is graduating from Maryfield Academy Homeschool with his high school diploma. His passions during high school include robotics, engineering design, and 3D printing. Josiah served as team captain for his FIRST Robotics Team 122, the NASA Knights, where each year they carefully designed and built a 120-pound robot for competition. Josiah enjoys teaching others what he has learned about engineering and robotics through STEM outreach. He plans to pursue a degree in engineering at James Madison University beginning Fall 2021."
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2021 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR NOMINEE: ANN KENDALL
VHF is honored to announce our second nominee for Volunteer of the Year: Ann Kendall. Ann has worked closely with VHF as the Advocacy Committee Chair – successfully helping to prepare numerous advocacy grants, planning virtual advocacy chats, serving as a speaker and facilitator during advocacy presentations, and ensuring grant and advocacy strategic goals are met. She consistently attends VHF events to lend support and reviews advocacy requests for local and federal organizations to ensure they match VHF’s mission.
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VHF ANNUAL MEETING
Date/Time: Saturday, June 26th at 5:00 pm

Location: Zoom

We are excited to announce that we have two dynamic speakers lined up for our Annual Meeting this year - Laurie Kelley and Chris Bombardier! They will be joining us to present all of the exciting work that they are a part of at Save One Life!

*VHF constituents that register and attend will receive dinner on us (details TBD)*

» Please go here to view our Virtual Annual Meeting Program This program is one way our generous sponsors can virtually connect with the community by providing links to their electronic resources, brochures, websites, social media sites and more!
COMMUNITY EVENT AND UNITE WALK KICK-OFF
Date/Time: Sunday, June 27th at 4:00 pm

Location: Zoom

If you have been to one of our Unite Walks then you may be familiar with the amazing Jonathan Austin - Juggler, Magician and Entertainer! Come one, come all and be dazzled by Jonathan's spirit-lifting performance and then be prepared to learn one or two magic tricks that you too can show-off to friends and family! We will also spend some time learning more about this years Unite for Bleeding Disorders Walk - don't miss out on this opportunity to give back to your bleeding disorders community!

All registrants that attend will be entered into a drawing to win one of our numerous gift cards. We plan on having several winners (one per household)! Also anyone that is registered for the walk before the kickoff will be entered to win an additional prize!
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VHF & HACA POP-UP DAY PROGRAM WITH CAMP HOLIDAY TRAILS
This Summer we are working with Camp Holiday Trails (CHT) to bring an in-person family camp to a park near you and your family!

Date/Time: Saturday, July 31st at 10:00 am

Date/Time: Saturday, August 7th at 10:00 am

Date/Time: Saturday, August 14th at 10:00 am

*Only one day program/location per family

What you can expect:

  • A safe in-person event that will include protocols such as mask-wearing, social distancing, and using a family “pod” model
  • Creative activity programming for the whole family
  • At least one parent and/or caregiver per family needs to be in attendance
  • Programming is geared toward ages 5-17. Ages 5 and under are welcome to attend, but there will not be any childcare/supervision provided
  • Boxed lunch and snacks during event
  • CHT t-shirt and other swag!

*All in-person safety protocols will be based upon the recommendations of the Camp Holiday Trails Medical Advisory Committee, and they will continue to monitor local, state, and federal guidelines. 
VIRTUAL EDUCATION SESSION: GRATITUDE NATION
Date/Time: Thursday, August 5th at 7:00 pm

Location: Zoom

Topic: Gratitude Nation

Find out why practicing gratitude may be good for people living with a chronic condition and learn how to leverage gratitude in your own life.

Speaker: Xaviette Pointer-Kincy, M.Ed, Community Relations & Education Manager, Sanofi Genzyme
UNITE FOR BLEEDING DISORDERS WALK
Date/Time: Sunday, October 17th at 1:00 pm

Location: Robious Landing Park - Midlothian, VA

We are excited to announce registration is open for the 2021 VHF Unite for Bleeding Disorders Walk! Our goal is to host an in-person event, following local and state safety guidelines, to ensure a safe, welcoming and fun experience for all! We hope you will join us in person or celebrate virtually by walking with your friends and family in your own neighborhood.

Register and self-donate any amount this month to be entered to win a gas card, perfect for your early summer adventures! Every dollar raised for the Unite Walk stays 100% local to VHF and goes toward supporting our educational programs, advocacy efforts, and community programs.

For more information contact Megan Schowengerdt at 804-740-8643 or megan@vahemophilia.org.