From left, Jason Kroeger, Juliette Myers, Bill Figaro

Business Networking International, a local franchise whose goal is to help businesses through networking, donated $5,000 to the Glenvar Middle School PTA. Jason Kroeger, proprietor of the Roanoke Carabbas, helped to raise some of the money when he organized a dinner for parent orientation to GMS on January 25.

“We are extremely grateful for what they have been able to do for us,” said Principal Juliet Myers.

Bill Figaro, a Glenvar parent who is also a partner at Anderson, Foltz & Figaro CPA firm, suggested the idea to Kroeger through BNI. Neil and Paula Frazier, the executive directors of the Southwest Virginia chapter of BNI were on board soon after.

“Basically, Bill let me know there was a need and I wanted to be there,” said Kroeger. While the money was originally raised for a particular project, a new computer lab, the school’s PTA will use it for the general fund and to keep up the Ryan Hutchison scholarship. The fund is used to help students who wouldn’t otherwise afford to go on school trips or for school supplies.

“If people get anything out of the story, it’s that the parents and business community need to step up and help the kids and the community,” said Figaro. He has two graduates of Glenvar High – Joey is a self employed graphic designer and his daughter Kristi is in her second year at Longwood; he has two daughters at GMS, Connie and Maria, and one at GHS, Jenna.