The United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley kicked off its campaign this week with a couple of big events.

Thursday evening saw the organization’s Jackpot Jubilee, with food, games, and more, at Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack.

Then, during Saturday’s football game on the campus of West Liberty University, when the Hilltoppers take on the Seton Hill University (Pa.) Griffins, the United Way was set to be well represented, with the WL team running through a United Way sign, representatives taking part in the coin toss, with a 50/50 drawing and field goal contest planned as well with proceeds benefiting the United Way and its member agencies.

Many of us remember the campaigns of the Weirton United Way when it was in operation, with the thermometer standups displayed on Three Springs Drive and Main Street to help show residents where fundraising efforts stood each year.

We recall the annual golf tournaments, the “Big Game” tailgate parties, the Turkey Trots, the poker runs, the fashion shows.

There were update lunches and efforts to showcase the needs and activities of each member agency to show the impact they have on the community.

When the Weirton United Way announced it would be dissolving and the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley stepped in, it was clear there would be a transition period. In many ways, that transition continues, but we can’t let ourselves forget that, while the United Way we knew is gone, we still have a United Way to support many of our local groups.

The United Way of the Upper Oho Valley covers most of the Northern Panhandle, stretching from Hancock County down to Tyler County, as well as going over the Belmont County in Ohio.

In our immediate area of Hancock and Brooke counties, it supports the American Red Cross, the Brooke County Committee on Aging, Brooke County Public Library, Catholic Charities of West Virginia, the Community Bread Basket, Hancock County 4H, Hancock County Sheltered Workshop, the Mary H. Weir Public Library, the Salvation Army, and the Weirton Christian Center.

Other member agencies might not necessarily have active locations here, but their services still touch local residents.

There also are local residents serving on the United Way’s board of directors to represent Hancock and Brooke counties, and they continue to have a satellite office in Weirton.

Proceeds from this year’s Wellsburg Duck Derby went to the United Way.

While it is good to see our area still represented, both through support for our local organizations and with board membership, it would be nice to see more visibility in our communities.

Whether it be a full-on event of some sort or instances with United Way officials helping out with fundraising efforts set up by the local member agencies, or taking part in programs in our communities.

My hope is there already is something in the works, and they will be announced as the campaign progresses.

We at this newspaper are willing to help promote these programs and efforts, just as we always did with the Weirton United Way. After all, it is all about coming together to support our communities and the residents.

I know things are different, but ideally, that’s the core issue to keep in mind – supporting the organizations and agencies which have supported so many of us over the years. We’ve all benefited from these agencies at some point in our lives, and now, probably more than ever, we need to be united as a community – whether that’s Weirton, Hancock or Brooke counties, or the Upper Ohio Valley.

(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times, and can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter/X @CHowellWDT)