DAY OF ACTION — The United Way of Jefferson County is preparing for its upcoming Day of Action, which will entail volunteers throughout the area taking part in various ways to help local nonprofit agencies. The nonprofit agency will begin its 2024 kickoff campaign, along with its Day of Action on Aug. 31. Those working on putting the final touches together include Tami Cashioli, left, finance director of the local United Way, and Laura Rauch, executive director. -- Julie Stenger

Local nonprofit groups do it every single day. And they seek nothing in return. Their only desire is to have made a positive difference in someone else’s world.

But have we ever stopped to think that maybe it is the nonprofits who are in need of assistance? What if they were the ones who required a helping hand? Would we help them?

Would we stop and ask these community resources, “What can I do for you?”

That opportunity will come on Aug. 31.

REVIEWING APPLICATIONS — Laura Rauch, executive director of the United Way of Jefferson County, and Tami Cashioli, finance director, reviewed the applications for its Dolly Parton Imagination Library and United Sole programs. Applicants can retrieve an application either online at www.unitedway-jc.org or by visiting the county office, located at 511 N. Fourth St. -- Julie Stenger

Individuals and organizations will have the chance to assist nonprofit agencies when the United Way of Jefferson County begins its annual Day of Action and celebrates its campaign kickoff for 2024.

This will be that moment when those who live within Jefferson County can come together and “Live United.”

The event will begin with registration at 8 a.m., followed by a complimentary breakfast at 8:30 a.m. inside the Jefferson County Workshop Event Center, located at 256 John Scott Highway.

“Day of Action makes an immeasurable impact in our community,” explained Laura Rauch, United Way of Jefferson County’s executive director.

“Day of Action addresses a variety of challenges in the community. It is a day that we ask you to help us put our mission into action by volunteering to aid local nonprofits.”

Volunteers will have several projects from which to choose, including the work they are interested in doing, the degrees of physical labor involved and time commitment.

Rauch explained there are several options which volunteers can choose from, including helping within local parks, painting either a building’s inside or outside, organizational positions such as filing materials and landscaping.

“We are always looking for volunteers for Day of Action,” Rauch continued. “We are looking for nonprofits who would like to submit their projects to be completed, as well.”

“We are dedicating this year’s Day of Action in memory of Sheriff Fred Abdalla,” Rauch stated.

Rauch said of Abdalla, “He was an intricate part of our community. He volunteered his time and served the residents of Jefferson County for 37 years.

“He was a strong advocate for children and genuinely cared about this community with a special focus on children.”

By dedicating this day to Abdalla, who died Feb. 21, 2022, Jefferson County will be continuing the strong beliefs he had in helping one another and giving back whenever possible.

“This is also a good way for civic groups, companies and community volunteers to come together to serve non-profits who may need extra helping hands to complete jobs they may not have the manpower to complete on their own,” Rauch added.

“Without our volunteers and an extraordinary board of directors, our events and campaigns would not be possible,” she stated.

“Our volunteers who go out into the community really do make an impact in the lives of area residents,” Rauch commented.

She added there are many people who are in need of the services provided by these non-profit groups. “We want to thank our volunteers who come out annually to give of their time to help those nonprofits and to serve their community,” she said.

Rauch said approximately 80 to 100 people volunteer each year.

Every volunteer truly makes a difference and the non-profit agencies are grateful to receive that help, which otherwise would go unfinished.

Those interested in joining the Day of Action and campaign kickoff through volunteering Aug. 31 can register online at www.runsignup.com/ticketevent/dayofactionUWJeffersonCounty.

There will be a project application for a nonprofit agency on the site, where volunteers can register for the Day of Action and campaign kickoff.

Rauch stated she needs to thank the following United Way of Jefferson County board of directors, as they are an intricate part in making events and annual campaigns successful: Ted Gorman, president; Tom Timmons, vice president; Gary Stubbs, treasurer; Ginny Zoric, secretary; Anthony Mougianis, past president; Nora Boyles, Carlo Capaldi, Michael Emmerling, Jenn Ferris, Ed Florak, Tiffany Luckino, Laurel McDowell, James Morgan, Brian Moss, Mary Beth Panepucci, Lorie Sullivan, Gene Zrinyi and Tami Cashioli, finance director.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

The United Way of Jefferson County is focused on helping everyone when the opportunity presents itself.

A special book-gifting program known as Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, allows children between the ages of newborn through 5 years of age receive a brand new book every month.

The books will be mailed to the registered children’s home, according to Rauch, who said there is no eligibility requirement to receive the books.

The program affords households having a child between these age ranges the opportunity to learn to love reading.

Rauch thanked the program’s sponsors, including Ascent Resources and Gulfport Energy Corp., and thanked the local businesses and organizations which help sign children up for this program, including Trinity Health System’s birthing center, Dr. Paul MacDonald and local libraries.

“This is such an important need,” she said of the library program. “And the work they are doing is truly appreciated.”

Applications for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library can be downloaded and printed online.

Once completed, they can be mailed to: The United Way of Jefferson County, P.O. Box 1463, 511 N. Fourth St., Steubenville, OH 43952.

United Sole

United Sole is another program being offered through the United Way of Jefferson County.

Rauch explained this is a wonderful initiative, as it helps many of the children living locally acquire shoes they may not otherwise have the opportunity to receive.

The program distributes brand new tennis shoes to any child under the age of 18 that qualifies for free or reduced lunch.

United Sole applications are available at the United Way office or online at www.unitedway-jc.org. Completed applications can be mailed to the United Way or dropped off at its office on North Fourth Street.

The United Sole initiative is made possible through sponsors which include Cardinal Operating Co. and the Esther Simmons Charitable Trust.

Within Jefferson County, there is currently 25 percent of the population which lives in poverty. Another 25 percent of its residents are categorized as the “working poor.”

This means 50 percent of area residents here in the Ohio Valley are struggling just to get by every single day.

And local nonprofits, including the United Way, are consistently striving to help these individuals with the assistance they need.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the United Way of Jefferson County may do so either by mail at United Way of Jefferson County, P.O. Box 12463, 511 N. Fourth St., Steubenville, OH 43952. Online contributions can be made by visiting the website www.unitedway-jc.org.

For information about any of these programs or to inquire about volunteering for the upcoming Day of Action, call the United Way at (740) 284-9000.