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Brooke groups team to help families

By WARREN SCOTT 2 min read
LENDING A HAND — The Brooke County Rotary, Brooke High School Interact and Future Business Leaders of America and Wellsburg United Methodist Church have provided a boost to the Brooke County Salvation Army with a donation of $3,650 and many pillows for local families in need. On hand for the presentation were, from left, front: Rotarians Jim Dowdy, Mike DiDomenico, Jerry Simpson and Salvation Army Capt. Gene Hunt; and back: Rotarians George Kondik, Charles Bell, Jim Rosso and Dr. John Basil; and Brooke High School Interact leaders Johnna Lahita and Alyssa Jezierski, and behind them, Adam Haught, co-adviser with Chad Haught of Interact and FBLA. -- Warren Scott

WELLSBURG -- In what's become a Christmas tradition, the Brooke County Rotary Club has teamed with students at Brooke High School and a local church to provide a boost to the local Salvation Army. The club, along with representatives of the Interact and Future Business Leaders of America chapters at the school, and members of Wellsburg United Methodist Church, presented $3,650 for local families served by the charity. They donated fresh pillows after learning families in need often lack them for their bedding and they aren't something regularly solicited by the Salvation Army because they must be new for health-related reasons.

The monetary donation comes at a time when the Wellsburg- and Weirton-based Salvation Army unit is conducting its Christmas kettle campaign to raise funds for local residents throughout the year.

Salvation Army Commander, Capt. Gene Hunt, noted in addition to providing Christmas gifts for less fortunate children, the organization assists residents with utility payments, clothing and food throughout the year. He said there's been great response to the Salvation Army Wellsburg Service Center's community lunch program. Each Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., the center at 401 Commerce St. provides lunches to go.

Brooke County Rotarian Jerry Simpson said the club and Brooke High School students have worked together in recent years. Their joint efforts have included collecting four truckloads of pet food, toys and other supplies for the Brooke County Animal Shelter; and with Wellsburg officials, conducting a cleanup at the city's town square and other areas. Simpson said about 20 students arrived to sweep, pull weeds and gather leaves using leaf blowers.

"It looked like an army walking down," he said. Brooke High School teacher Adam Haught said he and his brother and colleague, Chad, serve as advisers for Interact and the FBLA chapters which work together on various projects. With 162 members, the FBLA chapter is the largest in the state, he said. Prior to the presentation, Rotarians met Johnna Lahita, the club's president; and Alyssa Jezierski, its vice president. They stated their participation in the clubs and business courses at the school have prepared them well for the future.

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