United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley extends its reach to Hancock County

WEIRTON -- When the Weirton United Way announced its dissolution plans in September, one of the goals was to make certain local member agencies, and the community, wouldn't go long without a United Way.

That goal was met Friday, when the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley officially transitioned to oversee fundraising for Hancock County. A grand opening was held for the charitable organization, which now will have an office located within the Top of West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau at 3539 Main St. in Weirton.

"We're so excited to be in the Weirton area," said Staci Stephen, executive director of the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley.

Headquartered in Wheeling, the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley funds more than 30 programs in the area, with services already in Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel and Tyler counties in West Virginia, and Belmont County in Ohio.

In extending its reach to Hancock County, Stephen said each of the former Weirton United Way's agencies will continue to receive funds in support of their services in the community.

The Weirton United Way's most recent roster of member agencies included the American Red Cross; Catholic Charities West Virginia; the Community Bread Basket; Dunbar Recreation Center; Healthways Inc.; Hancock County Sheltered Workshop; Hancock/Brooke/Ohio/Marshall RSVP; Hancock County 4-H Foundation; Mary H. Weir Public Library; Salvation Army of Hancock and Brooke Counties; Weirton Medical Center and the Weirton Christian Center.

Prior to its dissolution, the Weirton United Way arranged for those agencies to continue receiving funding at least through 2024, providing time for the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley to begin planning for fundraising efforts locally.

Stephen said the UWOV is hoping to continue at least a couple of the larger fundraisers which have been familiar to the Weirton area, while also looking to new programs and opportunities, with a goal of kicking those off either sometime in 2024 or in 2025.

With the opening of an office space, Stephen noted there also will be someone from the United Way available in Weirton.

"It'll be a couple of days a week," Stephen said, noting she and Associate Director Madison Taylor would be rotating time between Wheeling and Weirton for the time being.

The hope, she said, would be to eventually bring someone on full-time to staff the Weirton location.

In the meantime, Stephen explained she and others from the United Way will be reaching out to the community to learn more about the needs of the area, receive ideas for fundraisers and connect with possible supporters.

"We look forward to meeting everyone," she said.

To reach Stephen, call (740) 310-8333 or email sstephen@unitedwayuov.org. Taylor can be reached by email at mseavy@unitedwayuov.org.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)