Residents see the road signs throughout the county inviting them to Joe Gibb’s annual Country Fair & Auction to support Youth For Tomorrow, which has become a Northern Virginia tradition.
On Sat. Oct 6, at 10 a.m., the Youth For Tomorrow Country Fair and Auction will open for its 27th year on the campus of Youth For Tomorrow campus on 11835 Hazel Circle, Dr. Bristow, off Linton Hall Road.
“It is probably the most affordable event for family in the whole area. You don’t pay for anything except food when you get in- $5 for children, $10 for adults, three and under no charge,” said Media Representative and Youth for Tomorrow Board Member, Becky Whitelock.
Moreover, the free rides, games and activities are geared towards both children and adults. They include a junior frontier town, realistic NASCAR simulator, Pev’s Laser Tag, rock wall, extreme air jumper, boot camp challenge, cork shooter gallery and a pirate ship. For animal lovers, there is also a junior rodeo and petting zoo.
The silent auction is also changed this year, as people are able to place a bid online and then communicate with auctioneers via telephone.
Despite rain, last year 8,000 people from all over Northern Virginia and beyond attended the Country Fair.
“We expect more than 10,000 this year. We’re praying the rain ends,” said Whitelock.
With a lower turnout last year due to bad weather, the fair still raised over $500,000 for YFT.
“That’s pretty great when you consider the admission is so low,” Whitelock said. “Our overriding reason (for holding the fair) is to open the campus and to let the community come in. This is the only one of the YFT charity events that is held on the campus. It really does help for people to see, this is what my support dollars are going to.”
What the campus is doing is educating, housing and providing much-needed dedicated social services for at risk teenagers, mainly those who come from the D.C. area. They help children, who have suffered through abusive family situations, are in trouble with the law, are emotionally at-risk or those who are homeless, to learn the skills and gain the perspective to lead productive lives.
While YFT began as a small boarding school for at-risk boys, in recent years it has provided much needed services to young women. Recently, YFT has begun educating and caring for young teenage mothers and children, through a "mommy and me program" that includes an on campus day care. YFT also helps young girls who have been trapped in the sex trafficking industry.
According to Whitelock, judges will order boys and girls to be sent to YFT from places as far away as North Carolina. They have faith in the progress made at YFT because it is a unique program that provides 24-7 support.
Legendary football coach and NASCAR owner, Joe Gibbs, recognized the need to give back to the community and started Youth for Tomorrow back in 1987 with help from local business people. In the 1990s YFT established itself on the Bristow campus.
Today over 1,000 students have successfully completed the program. Currently there are about 50 students on campus, but the campus has housed as many as 70 students who live and learn on the premises.
While people in the D.C. Metro area love that he brought home three Super Bowl trophies with the Washington Redskins, Whitelock is more impressed by his compassion.
“I think more people revere him for the kind of man he is. That he would use his time and his money to help kids to turn their lives around.”
Whitelock said Gibbs also listed YFT as his proudest achievement.
“Winning Super Bowl and NASCAR championships is really great, but what he really rejoices in is what Youth For Tomorrow has done,” said Whitelock
Joe Gibbs will be in attendance on Saturday at the Country Fair, and is planning on speaking about the importance of the work done on the YFT campus
Whitelock invites people to attend Joe Gibb’s Youth For Tomorrow Country Fair on Sat, Oct 6, between 10 am and 5 pm because she promises it will be a good time for all and contributions towards YFT make a huge difference in the life of the young men and women who attend the school.
Readers who would like more information can visit the Youth For Tomorrow website or call 703-368-7995.
Support Bristow Beat - Donate Today!