The Funding Fathers
Great Dads Coming Together for a Great Cause
Who are the Funding Fathers?
These 12 dads were chosen for their commitment to their families and the community. They will have until the middle of August to fundraise. They will be doing virtual spots, 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 August 27th, 2022 from 7-11pm at The Diamond, 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!
DALE BAAKE
I am so excited and honored to be a Funding Father for this year's campaign for FFVA. The value of being able to give back to our community is invaluable, and I'm thankful for the opportunity to do so. I was born and raised in the Richmond area. I'm a financial advisor and growth & development director at Northwestern Mutual Wealth Mgmt where I was introduced through a client to my wife and better half Kelly in 2010. We soon got engaged, married, and started a family. We have two daughters, 3 year old Layna, and 6 year old Ava. My favorite part of each day is when I get home and get huge hugs from my daughters, and enjoying family time together. I learned from my father and mentors how to be a great father. Being a part of FFVA gives me the opportunity to continue to learn from other great dads and to help other dads become even better.
Donate to Dale!
COREY BURTON
Hi Everyone, I'm Corey Burton. I was born and raised in RVA. I am a proud JMU Duke where I met my beautiful wife. We have three boys under four and another boy in Heaven who blessed us with our youngest two through adoptions. It's been a wild ride in our first few years of marriage to say the least! I help folks navigate the homebuying process to grow and develop in their communities. I am fired up to be a part of this great foundation and look forward to connecting with many dads and families.
Donate to Corey!
ZACH BUTLER
Hi. I'm Zach Butler and I grew up in Richmond. I love it here. I'm the husband of a beautiful wife Mandy (10 years) and have two beautiful daughters (Hazel 6 and Poppy 4). I love being a father to both of my kids, just like my dad was for me. I grew up playing basketball and going to Richmond Spiders games. Now, I love to take my girls to the games with me. We are members at our local pool, Ridgetop, and enjoy taking the kids up there to spend summer nights swimming and hanging out with the local community. I’m glad FFVA reached out to me and am thrilled to be a Funding Father this year. I believe in what the organization is doing and am excited to support the Fatherhood Foundation of VA.
Donate to Zach!
JEFF DONHAM
As a self-proclaimed Super Dad to 2 wild kids, Derek (4) and Avery (2) and lucky husband to my wife Leah, I have learned that it really does “take a village." Growing up in the Richmond area, I have loved being a part of the community. I played baseball at Tuckahoe Little League growing up and now have the opportunity of corralling 4- and 5-year-olds around the tee ball fields as their coach. I have also found a community at S3E CrossFit, where I also was introduced to FFVA by some other awesome dads. You can also find me playing out at Hermitage Country Club or in various tournaments. As a Senior Wealth Advisor for The Colony Group, I have been lucky to find a profession and company that helps cultivate and inspire families to reach their own personal goals.
Donate to Jeff D.!
JUAN JIMENEZ
I love my family. My favorite part of being a father is giving a love to my children that I never experienced , and knowing they will pass that on to their children. I never could have imagined in a million years that I’d have four kids but I love every bit of it.
Being a small business owner gives me the freedom to be present in their lives in ways I didn’t think were possible. I’m excited to be part of this organization that recognizes the importance of great father figures, and is on a journey to create more of them.
Being a small business owner gives me the freedom to be present in their lives in ways I didn’t think were possible. I’m excited to be part of this organization that recognizes the importance of great father figures, and is on a journey to create more of them.
Donate to Juan!
ERIC LAYNE
Hi, I'm Eric Layne. My wife (of 8 yrs) Taryn and I live in the Wellesley Community in Short Pump. We have 3 kids (Kahne 14, Kensi 6 Jameson 3). I'm the owner of Another Level Renos, a contracting company located in the west end. I have volunteered at Kanawha youth football for 10 yrs, where my oldest played football and my daughter cheers and can't wait to watch my youngest there as well. We enjoy taking walks to the neighborhood parks and the community pool is where you will find us most days during the summer. Please help me on this new adventure, Its not the amount that matters, but the meaning behind your donation.
Donate to Eric!
BJ REVIS
Born and raised right here in Richmond VA, where my wife, Michelle, and I are now raising our beautiful family! Two daughters (Amiaya 13, Aaliyah 12) and one wild boy (Elijah 4). My wife and I both joined the real estate industry about 4 years ago, Currently we hang our license under Boyd Realty. You can also visit us at Revisrealty.com. In-between work life and our children's sports running us rampant, I enjoy teaching children on and off the field. Where I coach football at Tuckahoe Middle school, and indoor/ outdoor track at Freeman High School. Being able to goof off with the kids while also providing structure, is the perfect opportunity for me to express the importance of integrity and dedication, to carry on throughout their future!!
Donate to BJ!
JODY ROGISH
My wife, Ali, and I live in Henrico County with our three children, Jackson, Tyler and Sadie. I am a consultant with !mpact Makers (a B-corp) through which I serves the Virginia Department of Corrections as an IT project manager. As a former college athlete, I am a huge believer in the power of local sports to bring communities together. I spend a lot of time with Tuckahoe Little League coaching baseball and softball and serving on the Board of Directors. To all the dads out there, keep doing great things!
Donate to Jody!
OWEN THATCHER
Born and raised in VA Beach, I made my way to JMU (Go Dukes!) where I met my wonderful wife, Morgan. We moved back to VA Beach after college to start our careers, but RVA was called to us. In 2018 I decided to join Providence Hill Real Estate. Our daughter, Birdie, was born in October 2021. We reside in Tuckahoe with our dog (June) and our cat (Willow).who isn't sure why we keep bringing new people home.
Growing up I never wanted to be firefighter, police officer, or astronaut, the goal was to be a dad. Throughout my life I had the opportunity to learn from my Dad, mentors, and friends of what it looks like to be a great father. Since Birdie was born, I have never experienced this type of love, joy, and growth. Being apart of FFVA gives me an opportunity to continue to learn from other great dads and to help others become even better.
Donate to Owen!
WAYNE VAUGHAN
As an RVA region native, faith, family, fellowship, and function have always driven me. After marrying
my wife Debbie (married 33 years this August), being a father and grandfather have been the biggest
blessing and challenge in my life. I was fortunate to be raised in a loving home by parents who just
celebrated 55 years of marriage on April 1st (no joke). My sons
are 31 and 27 and my granddaughters are 3 and 5. As a parent, I experienced garage bands, Marvel
movies, video games, and sports through the eyes of a child. Now I am experiencing the world of
princesses, dancing and tea parties
In my current role as VP of Sales and Marketing at TK Promotions, I enjoy helping clients execute brand
strategies using promotional products and creating heroes. We have supported FFVA in several ways historically,
and I am honored to serve as a Funding “Grand”Father this year.
Donate to Wayne!
JEFF ZALINSKI
Hello everyone, I am honored and proud to be a part of this year’s Funding Fathers campaign for FFVA.
As a small business owner, father and veteran, I have learned the value of relationships with my family, my employees and those around me. The value of being able to give back to our communities is invaluable. To be able to take my Family to the Chesterfield Food Bank or have my daughter come help with a tech drive for Tech for Troops, are just some of the life lessons they will never forget.
I have two beautiful daughters at Midlothian High School. Thank you in advance for any support for this fantastic cause.
As a small business owner, father and veteran, I have learned the value of relationships with my family, my employees and those around me. The value of being able to give back to our communities is invaluable. To be able to take my Family to the Chesterfield Food Bank or have my daughter come help with a tech drive for Tech for Troops, are just some of the life lessons they will never forget.
I have two beautiful daughters at Midlothian High School. Thank you in advance for any support for this fantastic cause.
Donate to Jeff Z.!
KRS Holdings
Kyle Stephenson is a proud dad excited to once again be supporting Richmond's only event honoring great fathers in our community. We are very lucky to have KRS Holdings as a signature sponsor for The Father Figure for the past 6 years. Cheers to KRS for their commitment to families.
Garden Grove Brewing andUrban Winery – 2022 Corporate Partner of the Year
RFVA is proud to recognize Garden Grove as their 2022 Corporate Partner of the Year. Thanks to this company, we have our own labeled beer and wine which has generated over $2,500 in donations. Not to mention hosting Date Nights and Happy Hours in which we have had to turn people away. Cheers to Garden Grove for their commitment to DADS and relationships in our community.
Christine Probst- 2022 Volunteer of the Year
For over 5 years, we have asked Christine to do things such as create Christmas Tree for a competition or secure items for an event. She always says YES. She has been instrumental in our growth over the years not only as a volunteer but as an advocate for the mission. In addition to volunteering, she sits on FFVA's Board of Directors. Christine epitomizes FFVA by promoting strong family values in everything she does. We are pleased to recognize her as the 2022 Volunteer of the Year.
Thanks to the 2022 Sponsors of The Father Figure
