ANOTHER CHAPTER IN HER BOOK OF LIFE — The United Way of Jefferson County has a new executive director, Marci Crawford, who took over the position previously held by Laura Rauch in July. Crawford has spent the past two weeks meeting with many of the United Way member agencies, including the Sycamore Youth Center, the Ohio Valley Health Center and the Smithfield Food Pantry. This new chapter is a position she says she was meant for, as she wants to help as many people in Jefferson County as possible. -- Julie Stenger

STEUBENVILLE — When Marci Crawford walked into St. Florian Hall last October, she was simply a guest who was attending a community fundraiser.

The then-YMCA Wellness Center director was just doing her part and contributing to a nonprofit agency’s largest event of the year. She was there in support of her friend, Laura Rauch, whose job was being in charge of running the annual fundraiser … a fundraiser known as the Taste of Jefferson County.

But little did Crawford know at the time, that a mere nine months later, she would be the one who would be planning and leading this year’s benefit.

And she absolutely loves it.

Crawford is the new executive director of the United Way of Jefferson County. She applied for the position following a recommendation by friends who informed her she would be a perfect fit for the job.

A JOB SHE WAS MEANT TO HAVE — Marci Crawford serves as the new executive director of the United Way of Jefferson County. She says she was meant to serve in this particular role, and plans to do all she can for the residents of the county. -- Julie Stenger

Rauch was leaving the United Way to take on the role of director of development for the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, leaving the agency with a vacancy that needed to be filled immediately.

What was the urgency?

Perhaps it was because of the several upcoming events which the United Way sponsors every autumn. Perhaps it was because the United Way has 11 member agencies that depend on its support and contributions.

Maybe it was because the United Way does a great deal more than most area residents even realize. And that is the one element that Crawford wants to change now that she is in the executive director’s seat.

Her mission, her goal, is to inform the public on what the United Way is really about, and to make them aware of all of the services and opportunities that are available through the nonprofit’s partnering agencies. She believes everyone — despite their income level and whether or not they utilize any of their services — should have a better understanding of exactly what these 11 nonprofit organizations do for people in need throughout this community.

SOLES FOR STUDENTS — United Way of Jefferson County Executive Director Marci Crawford showed off all of the shoes that will be given away through the United Sole program during the Back-to-School Bash headed by the Urban Mission next week. The shoes are free for low-income students who completed forms at the beginning of summer. -- Julie Stenger

Those agencies include: A Caring Place, Child Advocacy Center; A Child’s Place CASA; ALIVE; Jefferson County Community Action Council; Smithfield Friends Church Food Pantry; W.E.B.A. Food Pantry; Toronto Services Committee; American Red Cross, Lake to River Chapter; Ohio Valley Youth Network and Sycamore Youth Center; Family and Community Services, RSVP; and the Ohio Valley Health Center.

Since beginning her executive director’s job July 21, Crawford has met with members of the board and visited many of the partnering agencies, including the Sycamore Youth Center, the Ohio Valley Youth Network, A Child’s Place CASA and the W.E.B.A. Food Pantry, serving the areas of Wolf Run, East Springfield, Bergholz and Amsterdam.

She described the agencies as “unreal,” saying what they are doing not only for adults, but for children — especially children who are experiencing trauma and life-altering circumstances — has “blown my mind.”

Crawford noted how difficult it must truly be to take on these cases at places such as A Child’s Place CASA and ALIVE. She paused to imagine how special these volunteers must be to place themselves in a position every day where they experience the pain of others and carry that with them in their own lives, for the sake of helping them through their struggles.

“They are taking on their burdens somewhat, too, when working with these people,” Crawford added.

Before coming to the United Way, Crawford discussed how she has already worked with five or six of the agencies during her 20 years working with the Ohio Valley YMCA — 15 years as a personal trainer and instructor at the Calcutta branch and five years as branch director at the Steubenville location. She mentioned having had working relationships with the Jefferson County CAC, which sent her area children when needed at the YMCA; the Sycamore Youth Center and its executive director, Bobbyjon Bauman, who she noted helped her several times; the Ohio Valley Health Center and its executive director, Ann Quillen; and the Family and Community Services, RSVP, for senior expos.

“I love Jefferson County and am excited about the future,” Crawford concluded. “This is where I want to retire.”

Cookie West, a strong supporter of Jefferson County who works with multiple nonprofits and organizations, probably said it best when expressing her thoughts on Crawford’s new position.

West wrote to her friend: “The Y prepared you for this position. I heard the holy spirit say, ‘She’s exactly where I had planned for her to be.'”

Crawford will soon have the chance to prove she is right where she was meant to be through the upcoming events the United Way is planning, beginning with the annual Day of Action.

The 2025 Day of Action and Campaign Kickoff will take place Aug. 28 at the Jeffco Workshop Event Center. Sign-in begins at 8 a.m., with breakfast to be served at 8:30 a.m.

Volunteers will then travel to various nonprofit sites to perform community service projects throughout the county.

The day consists of local residents and organizations taking time to help those agencies which assist others every day of the year.

Simply put … it is giving back to those places that continuously give to those in need.

The Day of Action also initiates the year’s fundraising campaign, through which the United Way seeks to raise $325,000 to support its 11 member agencies.

Volunteers from Toronto’s TIMET are among those who participate in the Day of Action each year, saying they are always looking forward to giving back to the community.

Last year, its volunteers helped paint a handicapped-accessible ramp at Urban Mission Ministries’ War Memorial Building.

Another event scheduled this fall is the annual Suzanne Kresser 5K Memorial Run/Walk/1K, to be held Sept. 20 at Jim Wood Park.

The run/walk will be $25 for the 5K and $5 for the 1K. A Suzanne Kresser 5K Virtual Race also is planned at the cost of $25. Each category will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 1 p.m.

T-shirts are available through early sign up, and on the day of the event, while supplies last. To register for the run/walk or the Day of Action, visit runsignup.com.

The 29th-annual Taste of Jefferson County is scheduled to take place Oct. 8 at St. Florian Hall.

The food-tasting event will feature samples of the best foods offered by local establishments throughout the county, and a chance to enjoy popular dishes from various businesses, including entrees, main courses, desserts and appetizers.

Guests pay a flat fee of $35 for an evening that includes a variety of foods, time spent with friends and a chance to win prizes donated by local businesses and individuals — all in support of the United Way of Jefferson County.

Crawford is looking forward to attending this year’s Taste of Jefferson County not as a guest, but as the one leading the largest fundraiser of the year.

Crawford is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Steubenville, the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and is co-chair of the United Prevention Partnership, whose mission is to motivate the community to promote and support healthy lifestyles for all area residents and to eliminate underage use of alcohol and other drugs.

She serves on the Jefferson County Prevention and Recovery Board and is a member of BPW.

In addition, she plans to become a member of the Steubenville Rotary Club.

Born in Richmond, Crawford is one of four children, including a twin sister who lives in Cleveland, and a brother and sister who reside in Virginia.

She married her high school sweetheart, Wes Crawford, a captain with the Steubenville Police Department, 15 years ago this October.

The couple reside in Toronto with their 13-year-old son, Garrett, who still goes fishing with his mom twice a week.

It is these moments which Marci looks forward to the most, as she loves being able to still spend time with her son — especially in the outdoors.

The Crawford’s other son, 21-year-old Jonah Snyder, plans to join the New York State Police next year.

Snyder met his fiancée, Emma Seaman, while attending the Franciscan University of Steubenville.

“I can not wait for her to be my daughter-in-law,” Crawford exclaimed. “They are looking to be married next fall.”

And given Crawford’s busy life, with all of the clubs she is involved with and her new position at the United Way, there is no doubt she will somehow find the time to help plan for a wedding.

Her future looks to be a bright one, because as she explains it … at this moment, she is right where she was always meant to be.