APRRECIATION EXPRESSED — At a dinner Sunday, Brooke County Salvation Army Capt. Gene Hunt expressed thanks to the many volunteers who have aided the charity, including Jo Filler, who was presented the Kenneth Hart Volunteer Award for her efforts for the Wellsburg Service Center’s weekly feeding program. -- Warren Scott

WELLSBURG — “We wouldn’t be the Salvation Army, we wouldn’t do what we do, if it weren’t for all of you,” Salvation Army Capt. Gene Hunt told those attending a dinner Sunday recognizing the many who have assisted and supported the charity in various ways.

Hunt noted most people think of the Salvation Army at Christmas, when many bell ringers can be found accepting donations at its famous red kettles and volunteers pack numerous bags with food and children’s gifts for families in need.

But the organization’s work extends throughout the year, with local residents in need receiving financial aid with their rent and utilities, clothing through its thrift store and emergency shelter following fires and other disasters.

Hunt noted the Wellsburg Service Center’s weekly feeding program has been a huge success, with an average of 230 meals being distributed, on a takeout basis, each Thursday.

He said during the recent flood, while water was filling the center’s rear parking area and he and others were reaching out to city officials to see how they could help, the kitchen’s volunteer staff served up more than 260 meals.

Hunt presented the Brooke County Salvation Army’s Kenneth Hart Volunteer Award to Jonnie Filler, who has headed up the kitchen crew.

In accepting the honor, Filler acknowledged the feeding program requires a lot of work and there are times when she and the other volunteers become tired, but she feels fortunate to have met those who work at the center, including Hannah Donahoo, who oversees the thrift store; and Judy Fowler, who chairs the Brooke County Salvation Army’s advisory board.

As she spoke, Filler admitted she was a bit teary because the award was being presented for the first time in honor of Hart, a retired Brooke County educator who also served on the advisory board and lent his time to various projects at the center.

Hunt noted the Brooke County Salvation Army lost both Hart and Audrae Bryant, the board’s former chair, within weeks of each other in December.

He said their absence had a major impact, and there are plans to honor Bryant in some way also.

Hunt also recognized other members of the advisory board and individuals, groups and businesses that lent time, services and materials to the Brooke County Salvation Army over the last year.

They included members of the Brooke High School chapters of Health Occupation Students of America and Future Business Leaders of America and the Brooke High School boys soccer team, who served as bell ringers, donated gifts at Christmas or both.

Hunt added students at the Bruin Bridge, Brooke County’s alternative school, also were great supporters, packing many bags of food for those aided during the holidays.

He said he was proud to see members of the younger generation involved in the Christmas campaign.

“Every time you do that, you’re making a child’s Christmas better,” he told them.

Recognition also went to John Bucy, Geri Tustin, Lois Jones, the Ross family, members of Follansbee United Presbyterian Church, the Foundery Church of Wellsburg, Wellsburg Church of the Nazarene, Wellsburg Kiwanis Club and Brooke County Rotary; D&P Lawncare, the Bluewave Center and Almost Heaven Dentistry.

Hunt added officials with the City of Wellsburg and the Brooke County Public Library also have been very supportive.

Following the dinner, he acknowledged it will be his last volunteer appreciation dinner in Brooke County, while his last in Hancock County is pending.

After leading the Salvation Army’s operations in the two counties for more than five years, Hunt will be leaving in June for a new assignment in his home state of North Carolina.

Of his tenure in the Ohio Valley, he said, “It’s been awesome to serve the people of Brooke and Hancock counties. This is a wonderful place to serve. It feels like home. I’ve been very blessed to be here.”

During the dinner, Hunt said support from the community is needed for the Salvation Army to extend assistance to others, which is motivated by a desire to share the love of God.

“We’re never going to be better than the community we serve,” he said.

Pointing to the uniform he wears as a Salvation Army officer, Hunt said, “You may not have this suit, but you’re just as much the Salvation Army as me.”