SCAN's Snapshots of Hope
Judy Beavers
SCAN Volunteer
Part of the SCAN family since 2002
Judy Beavers came to SCAN looking to make a difference as a volunteer. Judy and her husband, Bill, had raised two daughters in the City of Alexandria. Judy’s commitment to children, desire to make a difference, and willingness to help have led her to volunteer on behalf of children through various organizations in this region. A paralegal for a local law firm in Alexandria, Judy wanted to offer her administrative and organizational skills to help strengthen SCAN as an organization.
Today, Judy is one of SCAN’s most reliable volunteers. A true “can-do” volunteer, Judy doesn’t ask for the “exciting jobs” or for the spotlight of attention. She is willing to undertake those critical behind-the-scenes tasks that help SCAN maximize staff time and impact. She stuffs envelopes for mailings, prepares goodie bags for the golfers at SCAN golf tournaments, makes follow-up calls to auction donors and sponsor prospects, organizes tee signs and sponsor ads, and any other administrative tasks asked of her.
In 2002, Judy approached the Alexandria Volunteer Bureau about places she could volunteer. She was looking for an organization that served children, and the AVB suggested she contact SCAN of Northern Virginia.
When Judy first came to SCAN six years ago, she jumped in to help with preparations for National Child Abuse Prevention month (April). She helped pin blue ribbons on materials being distributed to libraries and other public locations. As the spring continued, Judy also agreed to help with SCAN’s annual golf tournament, which was largely a volunteer-run event.
Judy willingly took on administrative responsibilities to track sponsors, collect program ads, lay out the golf programs for printing, contact auction donors, stuff goodie bags for participating golfers, and a variety of other organizational tasks to help the tournament run smoothly. Judy has also recruited her daughter Jenny, a local Girl Scout troop, and her coworkers to help with big projects at SCAN! The staff at SCAN knows that if Judy offers to take on a responsibility, she will follow through. Her reliability helps SCAN staff focus on other tasks and ensures that SCAN’s image in the community is one of smooth-running fundraising events that are fun and relaxing to participate in.
Since 2002, SCAN’s Golf Tournaments have grown to annual events that involve more than 150 individuals and raise approximately $50,000 each year for SCAN’s child abuse prevention programs. Judy has also provided her organizational skills and time to help organize SCAN’s annual Toast to Hope wine and cheese fundraisers each fall and other smaller SCAN events and mailings throughout the year.
In 2007, Judy and her family moved to Woodstock after 34 years living in the City of Alexandria. But Judy wasn’t about to let SCAN down! Although nearly 100 miles outside Northern Virginia now, Judy makes the most of occasional visits to Alexandria and correspondence via email to continue carrying out volunteer projects that help SCAN administratively!
Today, as SCAN celebrates its 20th anniversary, the organization is stronger and healthier because of devoted volunteers like Judy Beavers. Her willingness to take on those key “behind the scenes” tasks have made SCAN’s fundraisers run smoothly and serve as effective sources of financial support for SCAN’s child abuse prevention programs. Her reliability and consistency relieve SCAN staff of administrative responsibilities so that staff members can better serve the community at large.
Judy Beavers stands as an example of how every member of this community can make a difference by offering individual strengths and talents to improve the lives of children and families throughout the region.
