At SOAR365, our mission of creating life-fulfilling opportunities for individuals with disabilities is greatly supported by the generosity of our donors. We recently had the opportunity to speak with Christie Fargis, owner of Christie Fargis Landscape Design and a long-time supporter of SOAR365 alongside her husband, Steve. Read the Q&A below to learn more about their journey together as donors and advocates for our mission.
Q: What is your name and where in the Greater Richmond area are you located?
A: We are Christie and Steve Fargis and we live in the greater Richmond area.
Q: How long have you been a donor to SOAR365?
A: I have been a SOAR365 donor for about 15 years.
Q: How did you first learn about SOAR365?
A: We first learned about SOAR365 (at the time it was called The ARC of Greater Richmond) through a social worker who was helping us with the needs of a family member.
Q: What inspired you to support SOAR365 as a donor, and how does our mission align with your values?
A: What inspired us to support SOAR365 was seeing the positive impact your services have on individuals and families. Having firsthand knowledge of the challenges families face, your mission to provide life-enriching services for people with disabilities perfectly aligns with our values.
Q: How can donors support the nonprofits they care about beyond financial contributions?
A: Beyond financial contributions, donors can support non-profits by volunteering time and skills, advocating for the organization’s mission, participating in fundraising events, and offering in-kind donations. Spreading awareness and encouraging others to get involved also helps expand a non-profit’s reach and impact.
Q: What advice would you give to other prospective donors who have not taken the leap to give just yet?
A: My advice to prospective donors is to start small if needed, but most importantly, engage directly with the organization.
Christie Fargis has a longtime interest in horticulture and design with more than 20 years in the landscaping business. She began her career in Washington D.C. where she worked as a designer for McHale and McHale Landscape Design. Christie completed the landscape design graduate certification program through George Washington University and University of Richmond.
She is a certified Landscape Designer with the Virginia Society of Landscape Designers and a certified horticulturist with the Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association. Specializing in hardscape and landscape designs, she also enjoys providing seasonal container gardening for her clients. Learn more about her work at www.fargislandscapes.com.
At SOAR365, we are incredibly grateful for donors like Christie and Steve Fargis, who make our mission possible. Their generosity and commitment help us continue providing essential services to individuals with disabilities.
To learn more about how you can donate to SOAR365, visit https://soar365.org/how-to-help/ways-to-give/donate.