We are happy to announce the first contributions from the Joel Byrne Let Goodness Shine Fund. We believe these two organizations align well with Joel’s life and spirit:
Young Life of Central Fairfax
Main Street Child Development Center
Each of these organizations will be receiving $1000 from LGS. In addition, LGS will match dollar for dollar up to $1000 any additional contributions from the links below.
Young Life of Central Fairfax
Young Life had a profound impact on Joel. As a middle schooler, he attended a number of WyldLife Events throughout the year along with a sleep away camp the summers of 7th and 8th grade. He loved all of them (WyldLife is the Young Life organization that serves the middle school).
His freshman year, Joel switched from the Western Fairfax Chapter to the Central Fairfax Chapter, which serves Robinson. He didn’t know anyone. The first event he attended, he came back home covered in paint. As usual, he loved it and the picture says it all. I remember dropping him off. Naturally, he was nervous as he didn’t know anyone. The nerves didn’t stop him from going or introducing himself to others. Turns out he was one of only a few freshman (there may have been one other freshman).
Joel’s faith didn’t stop in the walls of the church or Young Life. It was part of who he was. He wasn’t ashamed or embarrassed to show his faith, yet he didn’t impose it on others.
To me, he proved that you can be athletic, smart, funny, goofy, a leader and still be a Christian. This fall there was a picture of a Robinson football player praying before a game. What courage. I know Joel would have been right next to him. I hope we get to a point where we celebrate, or at least accept, those that have the courage to let their faith shine, whatever it may be.
As a result of the impact Young Life had on Joel, LGS will contribute $1000 to Young Life of Central Fairfax and will match dollar for dollar up to another $1000.
Main Street Child Development Center
Joel had a wonderful preschool experience at Living Savior. Every time we drive past it (which is often), I feel a sense of gratitude for it, the staff and the opportunity to send Joel and Jane there. I believe wholeheartedly this experience helped form the Joel we all know.
Helping ensure less fortunate children have access to such experiences would speak to Joel’s sense of compassion. This is why we are are contributing to The Main Street Child Development Center.
The Main Street Child Development Center’s provides comprehensive early childhood education programs and support services for predominately low-income, working families in the City of Fairfax and Fairfax County. Each year they serve about 150 children and more than 200 parents/care givers, regardless of their financial circumstance. Since 1973, Main Street has prepared over 5,000 children with school readiness skills for success in kindergarten and beyond, and provided an essential work support so that low-income parents can secure and maintain full-time employment.
Because of Joel’s compassion for those less fortunate and the impact his preschool had on his life, LGS will contribute $1000 to Main Street and will match dollar for dollar up to another $1000.
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