CAMPAIGN OPENS — Among those helping the United Way of Jefferson County open its 2026 campaign Thursday were, from left, board members Chris Orris and Mike Biasi; Executive Director Marci Snyder-Crawford; Steubenville Mayor Jerry Barilla; board members Amanda Krupinski and Taylor Steeves; Vice President Tony Mougianis; and Treasurer Tom Timmons. -- Julie Stenger

STEUBENVILLE — Thursday morning was no ordinary Thursday. It was the start of a day that unites a community, a time where roles would be reversed. It was the kickoff of an annual campaign to help those who help others.

Thursday was about the United Way of Jefferson County and its 2026 campaign kickoff and annual Day of Action. Every year, the event unites volunteers and local nonprofit leaders who gather at the Jeffco Workshop Event Center and have breakfast with one another.

Volunteers signed in for their respective jobs and learn the goal of the United Way’s campaign, which this year will attempt to raise $325,000 to help support its 11 member agencies. 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.

Marci Snyder-Crawford, United Way executive director, said she was excited, adding it is an honor to lead this year’s event after taking on her role less than two months ago.

“From day one, I have been surrounded by the warmth of this community and inspired by the incredible work of our partnering agencies,” she said. “Everywhere I’ve gone these past few weeks, I’ve seen the impact of what our motto, ‘Live United,’ really means. I’ve seen it in children receiving books from the Imagination Library, in families supported by our food pantries, in seniors who know they are not forgotten and in youth who are given safe spaces to learn, grow and dream.”

“These stories aren’t just numbers,” Snyder-Crawford continued. “They are real lives being lifted up because of you, our agencies, our volunteers and our donors. I want you to know this: I am here to work — hard — for every one of our agencies, for every family in need and for every neighbor who deserves hope. I’m committed not only to supporting the agencies we already have, but also to expanding our reach, adding more partners and building stronger bridges, so that no one in Jefferson County is left behind.”

Each year, an individual is recognized for their work in the community. Snyder-Crawford introduced this year’s honoree, Steubenville Mayor Jerry Barilla. She stated Barilla is someone who truly defines the heart of Steubenville.

“For eight years, Jerry has served as our mayor, but his love and dedication to this city began long before that,” she stated. “The truth is, he never really wanted to be mayor. But something shifted one Sunday morning when he opened a church bulletin and saw an image of Jesus standing on the shore, calling to two men in the water, saying, ‘Come.’ That moment spoke to him; he felt it deep in his heart. It was time to give back to the place he loves most.”

Snyder-Crawford said under Barilla’s leadership, Historic Fort Steuben has been revived, the amphitheater is hosting free concerts, a restoration was made to the museum and murals continue to be preserved. Barilla responded, saying he attended school, taught, was a businessman, worked for the fort and led the city as mayor — all in the heart of downtown Steubenville. He noted he will always listen to anyone about anything.

“I can’t solve all of the problems and issues people have,” Barilla said, “but I will always listen. We are Christians. We are supposed to help people. And what the United Way has done for years … is helping people.”

Tony Mougianis, vice president of the United Way board, commented, “My passion runs deep for the United Way. There is a saying in our company that ‘You win with people.’ And this is all about people. This is an exciting year, with Marci being our new executive director. We are thrilled to have her.”

“Our job as volunteers and stewards is to give back,” Mougianis continued. “Often, we don’t realize the impact it makes. There are more than 20,000 people impacted a year through our member agencies that we fund. I am very proud to be a part of this event and part of the United Way for more than 20 years.”

Chris Orris of Ohio Valley Hospice joined the United Way board two months ago. He explained the annual Day of Caring is a wonderful event and one he has been involved with for years. Board Treasurer Tom Timmons agreed, saying he is happy to be part of the kickoff.

“Today, we have a great turnout and a lot of people here who came out to fix up several of our local agencies with what they need to have done,” Timmons said.

Members of the Wintersville Woman’s Club were among those volunteering, including club President Cheryl Taylor, Treasurer Karen Hill and Recording Secretary Mary Beth Allen. The women arrived at 7:30 a.m. to help serve coffee, juice and doughnuts. Members volunteered in serving breakfast catered by Scaffidi’s Restaurant and Tavern, including Marjean Sizemore, Connie Cimaglia, Lynn Taliani, Janet Liggett and Deb Louk.

Hill noted this is the third year the women have joined in the Day of Caring.

“We like to be out in the community helping whenever we can,” Taylor added, saying those on the club’s civic department were there to help with whatever was needed.

Volunteers from the mens’ basketball team at Franciscan University of Steubenville attended the kickoff, with four players and three coaches prepared to help at the Sycamore Youth Center.

Coaches Joe Wallace, Frank Belliassimo and Nick Allienello, along with players Tommy Kristian, Sawyer Butlerr, Karl Yonkee and Zach Oliver, were happy be a part of the event. Players noted the idea came from Wallace, with Kristian stating the team is happy to help wherever it can and wherever they are needed, as their season has not yet started.

Bobbyjon Bauman, Sycamore’s executive director, said the players and volunteers were going to help to organize the center’s tool room, paint the music room walls and paint floors, along with organizing its food pantry.

“We really appreciate the community coming out to support the Sycamore Youth Center through the United Way,” Bauman said. “The amount of work the volunteers get done would take our volunteers weeks to do.”

The American Red Cross, Lake to River Chapter, was among the member agencies being helped Thursday. Executive Director Sharon Kesselring commented that four people were scheduled to help clean the storage area at the chapter’s Wintersville office. She stated, “We appreciate our volunteers’ help and their ability to help us get better organized.”

Kesselring said items in the storage area are outdated, with some needing sorted or thrown away. Should time remain, she hoped volunteers could learn about upcoming community projects the nonprofit is working on, including the Ready Rating.

Following breakfast, volunteers traveled to their destinations to perform their community service projects.

“I cannot do this alone,” Snyder-Crawford concluded. “We cannot do this alone. This campaign is about all of us — shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart, proving that when we ‘live united,’ there is nothing we cannot accomplish. So, as we launch our 2026 campaign with courage, with hope and with energy, let this be the year we don’t just meet expectations, we exceed them. Let this be the year we raise more, serve more and change more lives than ever before.”