Our communities are living united
The campaigns for our local United Way organizations are well under way, and representatives will be going through our communities asking for contributions, planning fundraising events and raising awareness of the good done by the United Way and the various member agencies.
The Weirton United Way is considered Weirton’s primary charitable organization.
This year’s campaign has set a goal of $240,000 for its 12 member agencies, which include the American Red Cross of Northwest West Virginia; Catholic Charities of West Virginia; Community Bread Basket; Dunbar Recreation Center; Healthways, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program; Hancock County Sheltered Workshop; Hancock County 4-H Foundation; Weirton Medical Center; Mary H. Weir Public Library; Salvation Army-Weirton Corps and the Weirton Christian Center.
These are all agencies which serve the Weirton area and its residents.
The Red Cross provides disaster relief, Community Bread Basket and Salvation Army offer food and other needs, 4-H, Dunbar Center and the Weirton Christian Center focus on our youth and Healthways and Weirton Medical make health services available.
All are local agencies serving our local residents.
I’ve been provided with the opportunity to cover the Weirton United Way campaigns for many years now, and have played a small role in a few campaigns — mostly sending out a few donation request letters — but after all these years, it still amazes me the work done by the member agencies for our communities.
It takes truly dedicated people to work and volunteer for these groups.
The majority of them fully rely on support from the community in order to operate.
This year’s Weirton United Way campaign is led by Luke Myers and Chris Hatala.
There are the traditional fundraising events, such as the annual Golf Classic held in the summer, and the Fall Golf Tournament, which will take place this Saturday.
Last week, in conjunction with the official campaign kick-off, we saw the annual walk-a-thons from the city’s three public schools, and the week prior St. Joseph the Worker and St. Paul schools got involved.
We also saw a new event with the chance for homes and businesses to “get flocked” with flamingos.
I’ve been told there are plans for other activities throughout the campaign, as well, which should put a fun twist and bring attention to the agencies.
The slogan for the United Way is “Live United.”
That’s something we truly can say about the Weirton United Way.
Those involved in the campaign work hard each year to make sure their goal is met so member agencies are able to get the funds they need to serve our residents.
Our businesses, organizations and citizens come together to show their support, through either donations or giving their time to make sure each campaign is successful.
Over the next few months, there will be a great deal of new coverage of the campaigns in our valley.
I would encourage anyone who is able to do their part, live united with our communities and lend a hand to the United Way of your choice.
(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times, and can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter @CHowellWDT)
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