Local oil and gas companies making holiday brighter
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STEUBENVILLE -- The Founders Hall area of Eastern Gateway Community College looked much like Santa's workshop Thursday afternoon, with tables and floor space filled with hundreds of toys donated by Ascent Resources and other members of the Ohio Oil and Gas Association for Jefferson County families in need.
Mike Chadsey, spokesman for the association, noted the distribution was one of seven held in Eastern Ohio by the group in cooperation with several business members and Toys for Tots.
Chadsey said for each distribution, families in need are identified through local schools and government assistance agencies.
He said thanks to the generosity of Ascent Resources and suppliers, vendors and contractors serving the business, Toys for Tots was able to provide three toys for each child and a board game for each of the hundreds of families.
Chadsey noted the thought of providing a board game was added in recent years to encourage the families to spend time together.
It's the eighth year Ascent Resources has hosted the local distribution. Other distributions held in this region this year were hosted by Equinor, Southwestern Energy, EOG Resources and Pin Oak Energy.
Amanda Finn, director of external affairs for Ascent Resources, said staff play an active role in the endeavor, going shopping for the toys themselves.
Joe Steele, health and safety manager for Ascent Resources, said, "The whole safety team went out and did it. If you ask any of them, it's their favorite day of the year. It makes our hearts happy."
Steele said he and other Ascent Resources employees brought along their own children to impress upon them the value of helping others.
Chadsey said about $80,000 in toys and cash donations, used to purchase more gifts, was raised by the company and its support businesses.
Deb Oberlin, Toys for Tots coordinator for the distribution, said of the companies' assistance, "We could not do it without them."
Toys for Tots is a nationwide campaign established by the Marine Corps in 1947 to provide gifts to children in need.
As he watched parents and grandparents select gifts from tables designated for various age groups, Chadsey remarked, "There's a lot of positivity, a lot of energy, in the room."
"We feel blessed to be a blessing to others. What a fun and emotional way to end the year," he said.