Joshua Guthrie used his hands to help members of Loudoun County. He also used his hands to cast and swing on top of the high bar.
"He never used grips on the high bar," said his mother, Joyce Guthrie. "He liked to feel the bar."
On Oct. 27, 1998, Joshua Guthrie died two days after a car accident, which occurred minutes away from his house in Waterford.
"I heard a loud crack," said Joyce Guthrie, a trauma nurse. "I did not know where the kids were."
Joshua Guthrie and his younger sister, Abby Guthrie, were driving home from church Oct. 25, 1998. Abby Guthrie survived the accident. Joshua Guthrie was brought to Fairfax Hospital, where he died.
JOSHUA GUTHRIE was a dedicated gymnast and hard worker.
"He was training for the Olympics," Joyce Guthrie said. He trained at the Northern Virginia Gymnastics Academy in Sterling. He also taught gymnastics.
His mother said he enjoyed helping people.
"He would help change people’s tires, he worked hard on the fall festival," she said.
At Joshua Guthrie’s funeral, a family friend proposed the idea of creating a service organization in memory of the young gymnast.
"That was the seed coming out of Joshua’s Hands," his mother said.
Joshua’s Hands is a nonprofit organization, which was created to continue Joshua Guthrie’s efforts in the community.
Joshua’s Hands established a $1,000 Servant’s Heart Scholarship for a Loudoun County high-school senior. The scholarship is awarded to one senior each spring, based on community service.
"Joshua was always helping people," Joyce Guthrie said. "He lives on through this organization."
The organization raises money for the scholarship and other service projects through a fall festival.
THE GUTHRIE FAMILY’S fall festival takes place on their farm in Waterford, annually.
"Joshua loved the fall festival. He worked so hard on it and now it has flourished," Joyce Guthrie said. "This year, 1,000 people came dispute the rain."
Now, proceeds from the fall festival go toward Joshua’s Hands projects.
In addition to the festival and scholarship, Joshua’s Hands also offers Precept Boot Camp scholarships, a Young Driver’s Education program and bread distribution.
"I did not loose my son. I know exactly where he is, Joyce Guthrie said. "What was Joshua lives eternally."