Trending
United Ways that cover the Tri-State Area raise money for agencies and organizations that provide a wide variety of services designed to better the lives of our friends and neighbors.
They offer food and shelter to those who are in need. They offer a safe place to go when people are confronted with domestic violence. They provide emergency disaster services.
Campaigns by each of the United Ways that serve our region are under way. The Jefferson County United Way's efforts officially began Aug. 31 with the annual Day of Action. More than 130 volunteers spread out among numerous sites that day to work on projects that member agencies might not have been able to accomplish on their own.
It was a day held in the memory of the late Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla, who died Feb. 21, 2022. The powerful keynote address was delivered by his son, Sheriff Fred Abdalla Jr.
The goal of this year's campaign is to raise $350,000. Working to ensure that goal is met is a team including Laura Rauch, executive director; Ted Gorman, board president; Tami Cashioli, finance director; and countless volunteers from all parts of the county. In addition to individual and workplace campaigns, fundraising events already have been held, including the third-annual Suzanne Kresser Memorial 5K Run and Walk on Sept. 23 at Jim Wood Park and the 27th Taste of Jefferson County held Oct. 11 at the St. Florian Event Center.
Operations of the Weirton United Way have been winding down, with that organization's 90-year run coming to an end by the end of the year. Fundraising for organizations in Hancock County will then be conducted by the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley. Once that change goes into effect, the Wheeling-based United Way will be the primary agency covering Brooke, Hancock, Ohio, Marshall, Tyler and Wetzel counties in West Virginia and Belmont and Monroe counties in Ohio.
Staci Stephen serves as executive director of the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley, and Tony Martinelli is the board president
Local United Ways are committed to making our region stronger, and they offer an important reminder -- money raised here stays here. It's a pledge that guarantees your donations to area United Ways will go toward helping a friend or a neighbor.
We hope you will support the United Way, either by a financial donation or through the gift of your time.
However you choose to be involved, you will be helping to make our region a better place to live.