Autumn has officially arrived, and that means the annual campaigns of our region’s United Ways are in full swing.

The United Way of Jefferson County opened its campaign on Sept. 2, when it held its annual Day of Caring. Several hundred volunteers enjoyed a breakfast at the Jeffco Sheltered Workshop Events Center and then spread out around the county, working at several area locations on a wide variety of projects.

This year’s event was named in honor of the late Darlene Colburn. Colburn, who died on July 20, 2019, at the age of 81, was a longtime supporter of the United Way and other causes in the region. She served as a board member, board president and two terms as campaign chair, in 1990 and again in 2003, when she teamed with Patricia Fletcher and Sue Hershey. Colburn’s family made the first donation to open this year’s campaign.

This year’s campaign will see the return of in-person fundraising events. One was held Sept. 25 when the Suzanne Kresser Memorial 5K Run-Walk was held at Jim Wood Park.

The event was named in honor of Kresser, a longtime community volunteer who served as executive director of the United Way. She was 51 when she died of brain cancer on June 23.

Included will be the return of longtime favorite fundraiser for the organization, the poker run, postponed from this weekend, will make its return Oct. 16.

A team of volunteers, led by Ted Gorman, principal of Steubenville High School, president of the board of directors; Laura Rauch, executive director; and Tami Cashioli, finance director, will be looking to raise $350,000, which will support 13 agencies throughout the region.

The Weirton United Way, meanwhile, held its annual fall golf tournament on Sept. 18, and has other events planned, including the annual turkey trot on Nov. 20. This year’s campaign, which will benefit 12 area agencies, is being led by Linda Stear, the executive director, and Casey Richards, campaign chair.

And, the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley, which includes Brooke County in its service area, held its Day of Caring on Sept. 8. Jessica Rine serves as executive director of that organization, while Todd Cover is board president.

Our local United Ways serve many organizations and agencies that work tirelessly to improve the lives of our friends and neighbors. They provide shelter from violence, food for the hungry and clothing and shelter for the homeless.

Remember — when you donate to a local United Way, your money stays right here, helping member agencies provide vitally needed services.

We hope you will support the United Way that serves the community you work or live in.

Know that your donation will be used to help others and, as a result, will make our region a better place to live.