By Taylor Boyd
The Reynolds Homestead is marking 50 years of providing service to the community with a Giving Campaign that will last for 50 days.
Lisa Martin, senior program manager at the Homestead, said the campaign is to help generate funds.
“Due to COVID-19, we’re not able to do things to raise funds like we normally do, like hold classes or events. Instead we have to ask for donations,” Martin said, adding the Homestead held a golf tournament to raise money last year.
Instead, “we’re asking people to donate $1 a year for 50 (each of the 50) years of service to honor the Homestead,” Martin said.
Those who donated have a chance to win donated prizes, like original artwork and jewelry.
“We have a pair of Tourmaline diamond earrings, valued at $1,800 to give away. Anyone who donates $50 or more between now and November 15 will be entered in a raffle to win them,” Martin said.
The campaign will culminate on December 1, or Giving Tuesday.
“Giving Tuesday is an annual day that non-profits use as a fundraising day. We counted back from December 1, and started the event in mid-October,” Martin said. “Each week of the campaign we have a different theme where we focus on the different programs the Homestead offers to appeal to a variety of people. So, one week we focused on the art programs, and encouraged those who take classes or participate in shows to donate during that week.”
The Homestead also is continuing a timeline project started earlier this year.
“The actual 50th anniversary would have occurred on June 21,” Martin said. “To celebrate, we started a photo timeline to show the history of the Homestead, and the events that have been held over the years. We have tons of photos, and a lot of us that work at the Homestead haven’t been here long enough to know what the photos were taken for or who is in them.”
Visitors were allowed in the facility earlier this year to help with the identification process, she said, and added photos are now being posted on the Reynolds Homestead Facebook page.
“It’s a popular thing. People have enjoyed going in and identifying themselves or their friends or family, and we decided continue it through the campaign,” Martin said.
She noted the Homestead most likely would not open to celebrate the culmination of the campaign.
“The Homestead follows the same regulations that Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University does. So, we only open for particular events and even then, by appointment,” she said.
Donations can be made at reynoldshomestead.vt.edu/support-us.html. Checks made payable can be mailed to Treasurer of VT, attention of Terri Leviner, Reynolds Homestead, 463 Homestead Lane, Critz, VA 24082.
