WMC Foundation presents first Healthier Community grants
Craig Howell FIRST AWARD – Chip Davies, center, received the first of 12 Building a Healthier Community grants presented Friday by the WMC Foundation, awarded $20,000 for upgrades to the Aaron Davies Memorial Playground in Weirton. Davies is pictured with Ryan Weld, left, president of the WMC Foundation, and David Artman, president and CEO of WVU Medicine Weirton Medical Center.
Craig Howell GRANTS PRESENTED – Twelve area organizations were presented with a portion of $280,000 provided by the WMC Foundation, during a luncheon held Friday at A.V. Lauttamus Communications in Weirton.
Craig Howell FIRST AWARD – Chip Davies, center, received the first of 12 Building a Healthier Community grants presented Friday by the WMC Foundation, awarded $20,000 for upgrades to the Aaron Davies Memorial Playground in Weirton. Davies is pictured with Ryan Weld, left, president of the WMC Foundation, and David Artman, president and CEO of WVU Medicine Weirton Medical Center.
Craig Howell GRANTS PRESENTED – Twelve area organizations were presented with a portion of $280,000 provided by the WMC Foundation, during a luncheon held Friday at A.V. Lauttamus Communications in Weirton.
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WEIRTON - In an effort to continue investing in the region, WVU Medicine Weirton Medical Center established a philanthropic organization earlier this year to support the communities served by the hospital.
Friday afternoon, the WMC Foundation recognized the first recipients of its Building a Healthier Community grant program with a luncheon held at A.V. Lauttamus Communications.
"This is an unprecedented investment for us," said David Artman, president and CEO of WVU Medicine Weirton Medical Center, noting while it is important to see WVU Medicine investing in Weirton’s facilities, it is just as important to see contributions for the surrounding area. "This is about you and the difference you make in our community."
The Building a Healthier Community grant program was announced in August, as a way to provide funding opportunities for non-profit organizations working to improve the health and well-being of area residents.
Eligible organizations may serve Hancock, Brooke, and Jefferson counties, as well as neighboring communities where WVU Medicine Weirton Medical Center patients reside.
Twelve local organizations were the first to receive funding amounting to $280,000.
"I don’t see these as just grants," said Ryan Weld, president of the WMC Foundation, adding the organizations receiving funding do work which may go unnoticed by many in the community. "These are investments."
Those receiving grants Friday included:
Aaron Davies Memorial Playground, $20,000, for continued improvements to the playground named in honor of a Weirton youth who died in 2005 following a battle with cancer;
The Community Bread Basket, $30,000, for the purchase of fresh fruit and dairy products as part of their food distribution programs;
Greater Weirton Senior Center, $4,000, in support of its exercise programs and other activities;
Montani Outreach Movement Co., $25,000, for the Jack Owen Community Pickleball Courts in Chester;
Ohio Valley Health Center, $20,000, to expand diagnostic and medication access for uninsured and underinsured residents;
Ronald McDonald House, $6,000, to support families traveling for pediatric medical needs;
Salvation Army Weirton, $20,000, to support its food security and other programs;
Weir High Wrestling, $30,000, for new wrestling mats and other season expenses;
Weirton Baseball Association, $50,000, for the replacement of eight dugouts and upgrades to four fields;
Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation, $25,000, for improvements to the Bennett Drive playground;
Weirton Christian Center, $30,000, for its Growing Healthy Kids initiative, including counseling services and new play and exercise equipment;
West Virginia Northern Community College, $20,000, to fund scholarships for the school’s Respiratory Therapy program
"West Virginia is a special place," noted Jessica Moore, associate vice president of foundation and community relations for WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital, offering support to all of the recipients. "We have a lot of great communities. We have a lot of great collaboration."
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)