Sheltering Arms Foundation

09/04/2026

Congratulations, Bill! Sheltering Arms Foundation is proud to celebrate your hard work and perseverance during Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month, and we are grateful for the generosity you continue to show by volunteering your time on our Development Committee. We will be cheering you on when you run the Turkey Trot this fall!

07/30/2026

On July 23, Tricia Ambler and Lisa Resch had a wonderful time connecting with fundraisers and other nonprofit professionals from across Virginia at the The Virginia Fund Raising Institute. Their session, From Plan to Impact: How Communications Can Drive Fundraising, sparked great conversation about the power of thoughtful communications to share stories, build relationships, and inspire support.

We loved hearing attendees share successes from their own organizations and celebrating the many ways communications can help move missions forward. At Sheltering Arms, this work - and the success it makes possible - is thanks to our generous community of donors, whose support helps bring meaningful programs and opportunities to life for the people we serve.

07/20/2026

Breaking News

A meaningful new chapter is ahead for Sheltering Arms Foundation.

After many years of dedicated service, Mac McElroy will retire from his role as President effective October 1, 2026. Mac’s vision, leadership, and deep commitment to Sheltering Arms have helped strengthen our Foundation and advance support for the patients, families, and communities we serve.

We are grateful that Mac will continue supporting the Foundation in a part-time role, helping nurture the relationships and momentum he has built over the years.

We are also excited to celebrate Kelly del Campo Merricks, CFRE, MBA, who has been named the next President of Sheltering Arms Foundation. Having worked alongside Mac for the past 12 years, Kelly brings trusted leadership, deep experience, and a heartfelt commitment to our mission.

Together with the generosity of our community, the Foundation has raised more than $40 million over the past 12 years to support Sheltering Arms projects and programs.

Please join us in thanking Mac for his remarkable service and congratulating Kelly as she leads the Foundation into its next chapter.

07/09/2026

07/01/2026

🌟 Thank You to Our Community! 🌟

Thanks to generous community support, Sheltering Arms provides meaningful caregiver programs, services, and resources—including our first-ever Caregiver Retreat on Saturday, March 7th.

The day offered connection, inspiration, and restoration. Karen Grazionale, Sheltering Arms Institute Caregiver Peer Mentor, shared her caregiving journey after her spouse’s traumatic brain injury, encouraging others to recognize their own resilience.

Rachel Gibson, Sheltering Arms Institute Caregiver Social Worker led a discussion on caregivers’ emotional challenges. Participants also used Wreck It Journals for a creative therapeutic activity.

Caregivers shared how needed the retreat was—a chance to decompress, reflect, practice self-care, and build community.

💛 We are deeply grateful for the philanthropic support that makes programs like this possible and helps caregivers access the connection and resources they deserve.

We’d love to hear from you: What has helped you in your caregiving journey? Share in the comments to lift up others. 💬✨

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06/26/2026

🌟 What a day at the 2026 Walk, Run, Roll! 🌟

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, this year's event raised more than $14,000 to support individuals and families on their journey of recovery, rehabilitation, and independence.

The impact of your support extends far beyond race day. Because of your generosity, we will be sending two individuals—a caregiver and a person living with limb loss—to the Annual Amputee Coalition National Conference, where they will gain valuable education, resources, support, and connections to help them thrive.

From participants and volunteers to donors and sponsors, every person who joined us helped make a difference. Together, we celebrated resilience, determination, and the power of an inclusive community.

Thank you to the more than 270 people who walked, ran, rolled, volunteered, donated, and cheered from the sidelines. You are making an impact that lasts long after the finish line.

📣 Did you attend the 2026 Walk, Run, Roll Race? We'd love to hear from you! Share your favorite memory, funny moment, inspiring story, or photo from the event in the comments below. ⬇️

💙 A special thank you to our generous sponsors for helping make Walk, Run, Roll possible. Your partnership creates opportunities, strengthens lives, and helps people achieve their fullest potential.

🏆 Host Sponsors: PRK Aviation, Reynolds Development, Colliers, Malcolm & Emily Randolph, Hanger Clinic, Patient First, IMS, and ForMotion Clinic

💙 Kindness Sponsors: Tommy's Express Car Wash, Chick-fil-A, Wegmans, and Wawa

06/21/2026

This Father's Day feels extra special to Matthew McDonald.

In 2018, he was a new (and very proud) girl dad to five month-old twins when he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome and became paralyzed from the neck down. He spent 49 days inpatient at Sheltering Arms, unable to hold his daughters or be the dad he wanted to be.

According to Matthew, there were hard days - but my family, especially my girls gave me something to hope for. Thanks to my Sheltering Arms care team and months of physical rehabilitation, I got that chance back!

Today, I can run, play, laugh, and be present with my daughters, which I will never take for granted.

This Father's Day, I'm incredibly grateful!

Grateful to be their dad. 💙

If you’re celebrating today, I’d love to hear your story—what makes being a dad (or celebrating one) special to you? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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05/10/2026

This Mother’s Day, meet Chris 💐

After a new diagnosis affecting her mobility added unexpected challenges to her life with cerebral palsy, Christine moved to Richmond to rebuild her independence at Sheltering Arms—so her family wouldn’t have to become caregivers too soon.

Her goals? Picking up her grandchildren, visiting the zoo, and even having the stamina to enjoy movie night!❤️

Watch her inspiring Mother’s Day message.

💬 Then share your favorite Mother’s Day message with us in the comments—we’d love to hear what this day means to you.

04/16/2026

👔✨ Need a wardrobe refresh? ✨👗

Shop for a cause at LEDBURY’s Annual Warehouse Sale and support Sheltering Arms! For the third year in a row, LEDBURY has selected Sheltering Arms as the charitable beneficiary of their Day of Giving.

💙 7% of all sales made on Thursday, April 16th will be donated to Sheltering Arms—so you can look good while doing good!

📅 When: Thursday, April 16 | 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
📍 Where: 7007½ Three Chopt Road, Richmond, VA 23226

Don’t miss this chance to score great finds and give back to our community. We’re grateful to LEDBURY for their continued support!

04/13/2026

Calling all artists. We would love to have your artwork on the Pulley Family Art Wall at Sheltering Arms Institute Hospital.

Calling all artists! 🎨🖌️ Sheltering Arms Institute is accepting submissions for the spring installation of the Pulley Family Art Wall, located between our main therapy gym and interfaith chapel. This season’s theme is “Awakening” ✨ Team members, volunteers, patients, and community artists are all invited to submit their art!

📅Deadline: Friday, May 1 @ 5 p.m.
🖼️Exhibit Duration: 4-6 months
📏Max Artwork Height: 36”
✔️Work must be original, 2D or 3D (no video)
✔️Standard frame sizes only
✔️Include digital files + artist statement

📥To submit your art, email a photo of your work and your artist statement to Sarah-May Brooks at [email protected].