Gerald Buhl, a student at Warren County Middle School, and Abigail Rodman, a local homeschool student, both won first-place prizes in the Warren Coalition’s annual Health Video Contest. The contest was open to all middle school students, ages 11-14, in Warren County. Students could elect to submit a video about getting regular exercise, getting enough sleep, drinking water, or maintaining healthy eating habits.
There were a lot of parallels between this year’s two winners. Both Gerald and Abigail focused on the importance of exercise for their videos, and both had help from a younger sibling. They each won a $125 Amazon gift card, and both of them indicated they planned to share their winnings with their younger siblings. Although in the same category, the entries were quite different; Gerald focused on weightlifting (view his video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFLUj5OP4z0), while Abigail provided tips on exercising without equipment (check it out at https://www. youtube.com/shorts/uQ-tox8uWaA).
The contest was held as part of the Warren Coalition’s WAHOO (Working to Achieve Healthy Outcomes and Opportunities) program, which is funded by the VirginiaFoundation for Healthy Youth. Their videos will be used as healthy living ads throughout Warren County later this spring.
We brought lessons of resilience to many of the schools this year, starting with Skyline High School at their open house in August, and ending with E. Wilson Morrison Elementary School in May. We had beautiful weather at EWM, but it was a bit chilly for our Pitch Burst “volunteers,” so for once we encouraged ponchos and hats.
The Pitch Burst is an important part of the resilience lessons we teach. We use it to explain to children that if we don’t talk about our feelings with others, they build up until one thing makes them explode, just like the pin that pops the water balloon. And just like the water gets all over anyone nearby, when our feelings burst out of us, sometimes they “get all over” other people, even those who had nothing to do with the reason we were upset.
Our other lessons this day included Affirmations Jenga, overcoming obstacles, and speaking affirmations to others.
Thank you to all of the teachers and staff members who helped us bring the Pitch Burst and other resilience lessons to the children of Warren County this year!
My name is Matt Buracker, and I am a Prevention and Testing Specialist at ARE in Winchester. ARE stands for AIDS Response Effort and was started in the early 1990’s by a group of concerned citizens to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Since then, it has blossomed into the many programs we have today.
We provide medical and non-medical case management services to folks living with HIV including HIV medical care, medication access, insurance enrollment, food, transportation, referrals to support services, mental health and wellness and housing services. We also have several housing assistance programs for the community at large such as rapid rehousing, homelessness prevention, rental and utility assistance and more. The prevention team offers free HIV/HCV/STI testing, free condoms, classes on methods of protection and STIs, gender diversity trainings, PrEP and nPEP assistance, and risk reduction counseling. We are also working towards expanding services and starting an LGBTQ+ program.
We serve the entire Lord Fairfax Health District (Winchester City, Frederick, Warren, Clarke, Page and Shenandoah Counties). ARE joined the Warren Coalition several years ago because we admire the amazing work being done by the coalition to support the community. I personally live and grew up in Warren County and being that it is a county that we serve, we love to partner and work with the Coalition anyway we can.
I want to highlight our work in substance use. We work with the local treatment centers, jails and clinics to provide HIV and Hepatitis C screening to the community. We partner with UVA to ensure the clients that test positive for Hepatitis C receive treatment. We provide wound care kits, Naloxone and (thanks to the Warren Coalition!) now offer Fentanyl test strips to those who inject drugs. We are currently waiting for approval from the State Health Commissioner to start our syringe services program. When this final approval comes through, we will be providing sterile syringes, safe injection kits, safe snorting kits and safe smoking kits in addition to our wound care kits, Naloxone and fentanyl testing strips.
Matt Buracker, Prevention and Testing Specialist Laura Arellano, Outreach and Education Coordinator, pictured above with Matt To access any services listed on this page, or for more information, please contact Matt: Cell: (540) 539-6142 (call or text) Office: (540) 536-5147 Email: mburacke@valleyhealthlink.com
FRONT ROYAL, VA— Nominations are now open for the Larry M. Funk Memorial Award for Outstanding Service to Children. This award, newly established by the Warren Coalition, recognizes an individual whose dedication and services to children of Warren County have made a positive impact on them.
The award is open to anyone who serves children in any way, though if it is their profession, the nominator will need to explain the way in which they go above and beyond their normal job requirements. Nominators are asked to explain the contributions made to the children and youth of Warren County, some specific examples, and five outstanding qualities of the nominee.
Nominations can be made online at https://bit.ly/LarryFunkAward. (Note that the link is case-sensitive.) A panel will review the nomination packages, and the selected recipient will be presented with a plaque and $500 cash at the Warren Coalition’s Annual Membership Luncheon on July 28th at 11:30 am at the Community Center at 538 Villa Ave. in Front Royal.
Larry M. Funk was a member of Warren Coalition for more than 20 years, serving in a number of positions to include Vice President and President during that time. The Warren County Sheriff Department employed Larry for over 28 years, and 27 of those were as the D.A.R.E. instructor and Community Policing representative. He received many awards and recognitions from community organizations such as Kiwanis, Elks Lodge, Moose Lodge, Warren County Sheriff Department, Warren County Board of Supervisors, and American Legion Post 53, just to name a few. His many activities included presentations at events and distribution of educational materials for the youth of Warren County. This included many bike rodeos; Warren County Fair booths; Warren Memorial Hospital annual health fair; drug awareness displays; car shows; and car seat safety checks. He coordinated and organized the annual D.A.R.E. day, which was the culmination of a year of planning for the fifth graders of Warren County Public Schools as part of the D.A.R.E education during the school year.
Larry was an elder at his church, serviced as assistant Sunday school superintendent and as a youth Sunday school teacher. He would practice his presentations for hours until he got it just the way he wanted to present it. He took great pride working with children of the community. Students and former adult students would frequently greet him with hugs whenever they would see him. Larry’s impact was great and long lasting.
Larry was married for 38 years; the proud father of two sons; and grandfather of five grandchildren. He loved spending time with them and especially teaching them.
“Larry would have been very humbled to know about the incredible recognition that the Warren Coalition is bestowing in his memory,” his wife Linda said.
The Warren County Parks and Recreation Department acquires, develops, operates, and maintains a park and recreation system that improves the quality of life for all residents of Warren County through educational, park, recreational, cultural and leisure opportunities. Our department aims to provide the highest quality of service experience possible with individual, personalized attention to each participant.
The Warren County Parks and Recreation Department was created in the fall of 1986 to foster a Town of Front Royal and countywide approach to the delivery of recreation and leisure services. Mr. Brackenridge H. Bentley, then Town Manager, hired me as the first Director of the Front Royal Parks and Recreation Department, the position I hold to this day.
The department was launched through an innovative delivery of services with the help of the Town and the County of Warren. The partnership’s goal was to provide a comprehensive array of recreation and leisure services for the entire community. In 2000, the department became a County of Warren Parks and Recreation operation. This new endeavor was designed to complement and enhance existing programs and traditions.
Our department is divided into three divisions: Administration, Programs, and Maintenance. The Administrative Division manages the operations of the department through the Raymond E. Santmyers Youth Center. Our staff works diligently to foster good relationships with citizens, businesses, and organizations. We also manage our popular shelter rentals and Youth Center reservations through this office. We strive to greet every citizen with a smile, and we are eager to hear thoughts, concerns, and new ideas.
At the Warren County Community Center, the Programs Division works to provide the many activities and sports programs available to residents of all ages. From youth basketball programs to mahjongg, there is always something fun going on at the Warren County Community Center. The Claude A. Stokes Community Swimming Pool is also part of our Programs Division, offering swimming lessons, lap swim and summer fun. The Maintenance Division assures the parks, facilities and buildings are well-kept, beautiful, and safe. Our maintenance employees stay current in the many certifications required to provide a safe environment for our patrons. Currently, our Maintenance Division is constructing a new, large shelter adjacent to the Warren County Splash Pad, highlighting the talents of our maintenance staff.
These three divisions work together to offer citizens and visitors wonderful local natural, athletic, and cultural experiences and activities.
The Department has made significant strides in recent years sharing services between the Warren County Public Schools Athletic Departments and other recreational organizations, thus improving maintenance at park and athletic facilities, and building positive working relationships with all the youth sports organizations.
Warren County Parks and Recreation has a lot to be proud of and we have been very busy! The Warren County Splash Pad was opened in 2019, thanks to the donations of local civic organizations including the Warren Coalition. Despite a COVID-19 pandemic closure, the Splash Pad has proven to be a local favorite, filled with happy families throughout the summer. We are proud to be able to offer such a dynamic and “cool” family activity.
Beautiful Rockland Park has also been developing. In 2018, fitness stations were added to the amenities and soon sunshades will be added to keep local exercisers out of the hot sun. The disc golf course is another popular attraction at Rockland Park. A yearly tournament is hosted there attracting many enthusiasts to our area. Finally, we are very excited for the new basketball courts coming in 2022. In 2008, I became a member of the Warren Coalition representing the Warren County Parks and Recreation Department to:
Assist the Warren Coalition to make the Warren County community a better place to live, work and play
Assist the Warren Coalition to anticipate the needs of the changing community and structure programs and facilities accordingly
Assist the Warren Coalition to enrich the lives of residents and build a healthier community
Assist the Warren Coalition to strengthen community image and sense of place
Assist the Warren Coalition to continue to expand the level of public information and involvement in parks and recreation
The Warren County Parks and Recreation Department will continue creating positive park and recreational experiences for our community. We will continue encouraging and fostering partnerships with community and youth agencies that will strengthen collaboration efforts in order to provide safe environments for the youth. We are thankful for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Warren County and we aim to be careful stewards of that trust.
Please visit our website at https://www.warrencountyva.net/government/county-departments/parks-and-recreation for more information on our parks, programs, facilities, and staff. You will also find a video tour there, highlighting our beautiful parks. Should you have any additional questions, please contact our office and we will be happy to provide you with any information you need.
Daniel P. Lenz, Warren County Parks and Recreation Department Director
