The Funding Fathers
Great Dads Coming Together for a Great Cause
Who are the Funding Fathers?
These 8 dads were chosen for their commitment to their famililes and the community. They will have until the middle of September to fundraise. They will be holding restaurant nights, fun events, securing sponsors and asking friends to support their campaigns. The dad who raises the most will be crowned The Father Figure.
What and Where is The Father Figure?
The Father Figure is the Relationship Foundation of Virginia’s signature event honoring the Funding Fathers. On September 29, 2018 at Richmond International Raceway, we will come together to celebrate our great dads, amazing volunteers and great corporate partners. We will also announce the winner of the title, The Father Figure!
Marty Coleman
Dad. Of all the titles with which I’ve been tagged—Lifecoach, Corporate Chaplain, Regional Director, Branch Manager, CEO, Pastor, “Rev”—this one has been the most rewarding (and the most challenging!), by far. I am Marty Coleman, happy husband of Vickie for 32 years, proud dad of Hannah & Maggie, grateful father-in-law to Tommy, and doting pappy to Ellis . Though I grew up in Georgia and am a proud alumnus of the University of Georgia, RVA is now home. Our family moved here over two decades ago with a strong sense of God’s calling, and a passion for being a part of helping RVA to be one of the best communities by having a positive impact one life at a time. As a corporate chaplain/ life coach with CoCare, I have the opportunity to work directly with families through outstanding partner organizations, Estes Express Lines and Salveo Laboratories. I have also been blessed to support Vickie, a residential realtor with eXp Realty/ Front Porch Fridays, in her mission to help families find their dream home and to bring attention to worthy people and causes in RVA (organizations like RFVA!).
Donate to Marty!
David Eakes
A native Richmonder, I am the proud parent of four children I raise with my wife Jennifer. We can be seen cheering on our kids at a game or meet….or driving from event to event! Athletics play a major role in the Eakes household, for the health benefits and the life lessons.
Savannah (13), Jackson (11), Anne Reagan (9) and Cotton (7) move seamlessly from the competition pool to the baseball field to the balance beam to the football field. I stay involved with the kids,
whether it's hitting ground balls at Tuckahoe Little League or as the voice of the Kanawha Redskins for my son's football games. I am less successful racing my girls in the pool or in handstand contests. Athletics provides so many life lessons and teaching moments for children, as well as an opportunity to set a positive example on behavior. A strong work ethic and effort are focal points, lessons I learned from my own father. There is nothing more rewarding than being an involved father and sharing in my child’s life experiences….and hearing them say “thank you dad”.
Donate to David!
Gerald Escobar
Hello! My name is Gerald Escobar and I am excited to be a part of RFVA. Our family moved to Richmond 3 years ago. After 4 fun years at VMI, I spent the majority of my adult life in Atlanta, GA and a brief stop in Roanoke, Va. Being a Dad has been a wonderful gift that consistently amazes me as we see our two kids, Andrew (13) and Amelia (7), quickly grow up. As a Father, the gift to teach, encourage and guide our kids reminds me of the important things in Life and I strive to do the best I can every day. My wife, Cheryl, has been a big supporter in all that I do and we find being parents to be rewarding (at times the reward doesn’t show itself right away:) I believe it is important to try new things in Life, learn from your mistakes and have the right standards which I hope my kids can carry on throughout their lives. I am now a consultant at Marsh and McLennan Agency. I try to be the best Father and Husband I can be and aim to be a positive role model in their lives.
Donate to Gerald!
Tony Jones
Tony Jones is a husband, father, son, brother, grandfather of 7, a Minister of The Gospel and an Entrepreneur He is recognized as one of the most heartfelt and transparent motivational and inspirational speakers in the area. Over the last two decades he has transformed numerous lives with his connections in almost every aspect of life in which he has reached many people.
He grabbed attention as a member of many teams and organizations and later went on to grow family and future. He is married to Cheryse Jones and has 3 beautiful daughters LaChelle, D’Ashe and Tonisha... he also has 7 grand children and a host of nephews and nieces that he loves dearly. Tony is a protector and provider and loves to share and assist even in and outside of the home as he always gives to charities and good causes . He is a financial manager dealing with retirements and investments helping families to build strong futures for generations to come. He truly believes that a good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children.
Donate to Tony!
Jonathan Kennedy
Hey! Jonathan Kennedy Jr, here. I am honored to be this years Board representative vying for the title of Father Figure. Of course, I already feel like the father of the year every day I come home from work because I walk in to a home with 4 women ready to shower me with love and affection is a dream come true. As a native Richmonder, this organization is near and dear to my heart because of its emphasis on growing relationships amongst couples, families, and communities. The work that RFVA does is bar none some of the most important in the city. Outside of modeling to my kids how to love their mother, being their dad is the greatest joy I have. I am truly amazed at what our young people bring to the table and humbled to be a part of that and see what they create and do and become is the highlight of my life. So why support me? Because quite honestly I'm going to win, its that simple. I appreciate you taking the time to read this and support our organization.
Donate to Jonathan!
Rodney Perry
I was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. I am a United States Air Force veteran with a combined total of four years active duty and eight years of reserve duty. After completing my military career, I graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems. I am an Information Technology (IT) professional with over 25 years of experience currently employed with Northrop Grumman. I am a Christian who is devoted to helping others find their path to righteousness. I serve as a member of the male chorus at Saint Paul’s Baptist Church and am a committed husband, father, son, brother, uncle, nephew, and grandfather that loves and cherishes his family. In my spare time, I like to spend time with God, family, travel, and coach little league baseball and basketball. I believe that an active child fosters a healthy mind, body, and energetic soul.
I am married to Crystal Wiley-Perry, a minister and a retired United States Air Force veteran with a blended family of four wonderful children (Dominic, Shaun, Nikita, and Kai), four grandchildren (Mia, Tristian, Angelique, and Kingdom), and a wonderful daughter-in-love (Amie) which he actively supports and cherishes.
Donate to Rodney!
Sam Poole
Hey, my name is Sam Poole. My family lived up north where I tricked my wife Tracy into marrying me 20 years ago. Our family currently lives in Mechanicsville. I’m a Vice President and Retail Regional Manager for Chesapeake Bank here in Richmond.
We are the proud parents of 2 adopted sons through Foster Care. Jay (13), a rising 8th grader and Reese (11), a rising 6th Grader attend Oak Knoll Middle. We call ourselves “One Crazy Family" with activities centered on sports and lots of it!
I am honored to serve RFVA. Many “father figures” in my life have and continue to shape me into who I am today teaching me that fatherhood is a journey, not a destination.
My candidacy will center on a new project that is near and dear to my heart. We are teaming with other adoptive Dads to develop the nation’s first “Boot Camp for Adoptive Dads”! As with any new program, it needs funding and support. I think I’m just the guy to help get that done!
Donate to Sam!
JJ White
I'm a husband, dad of two, radio show host and franchise owner for Dale Carnegie here in Richmond. My family, Sam (wife), Ike (9) and Millie (6), is my significance in this world. For 20 years I've used my gifts of coaching, speaking and challenging people as Franchise Owner for Dale Carnegie in Virginia and host of the Great People Show live on 97.7 FM every Thursday right here in Richmond. I truly believe the only way to achieve greatness is when the people around you have achieved greatness! Join me on that journey!
Donate to JJ!
37th PARALLEL PROPERTIES
Chad Doty (father of one) and Dan Chamberlain (father of two) are proud dads excited to once again be supporting Richmond's only event honoring great fathers in our community. We are very lucky to have 37th Parallel Properties as our title sponsor for The Father Figure.
CBS 6, Zach Daniel
Zach Daniel is the Emmy Award winning Chief Meteorologist for WTVR. His weathercasts can be seen weeknights on CBS 6 at 5, 5:30, 6, and 11. Zach grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and has had a keen interest in weather since his early childhood. He loves the challenge of forecasting the weather in Virginia and creating a weathercast that’s accurate, compelling, and useful for his viewers each and every day.
Zach and his wife, daughter, two sons, yellow lab Walter, and black lab Stanley live in Richmond’s West End. When he’s not working he loves running, playing golf, skiing, traveling, and spending time with his family. We are excited to have CBS 6 as this year's media sponsor.
Chesapeake Bank- 2018 Corporate Partner of the Year
One of the greatest moves RFVA has ever done was changing our home to Chesapeake Bank. Not only do all of the employees know us by name, they give back to the community. In just over a year, this bank has hosted two parking lot parties to benefit RFVA, has sponsored Father Christmas (and are signed up to do so this year) and have provided us with a Funding Father for 2018. We are excited to honor them for their work with RFVA
James Martin- 2018 Volunteer of the Year
James Martin attended Boot Camp for New Dads in 2015 before his first child was born. He's been volunteering since then! As the husband to Marnie since November of 2011 and father to his son who will be 3 this September, he brings a lot of current experience to our Boot Camp class. He was chose as our volunteer of the year for his willingness to help out in times of need. "There are times dads have emergencies and cannot teach the class. Most of the time all it takes is an email and James steps up. We could not do ti without him" states RFVA staff member. That is why we are happy to recognize 'Ja' as our 2018 Volunteer of the Year!
Thanks to the 2018 Sponsors of The Father Figure
