Shindig was a big success!

CHS-Parkersburg's 2nd annual shindig was a big success! We had fantastic weather this year; not too hot, no chance of rain, a very pleasant day. We had great music all day, and lots of activities for children and a good mix of vendors for food. We had some great volunteers and community support. We are still counting but it looks like we will have raised over $3000 from the event. We thank the Ohio Valley Rowing Club for the use of the facility, and have many others to thank as well.

Pictures from Mid Town Family Resource Center

Final Details being worked out for the Shindig (Music Festival) this Saturday

Lots of busy volunteers and supporters are busy finalizing details for our 2nd Annual Shindig, outdoor music festival/ fund raiser this Saturday, down at the Ohio Valley Rowing Club (Boat House) down by the Ohio River in Parkersburg. 8-9 hours of music is in store, with several other entertainment diversions for families, and some food/ beverage vendors, and a chance to support the agency in several ways around our Americana Music Series (t-shirts, raffles, etc.) We are looking toward great weather, and lots of folks pitching in to make it a fun and enjoyable event.

Foster Care (Etc.!!) Pool Party

Our foster care team has organized a pool party for the foster families this evening at Jackson Pool/ Park in Vienna. Several other site programs are participating (WE CAN, the Shelter, etc.) A picnic meal is also in store. Missy, our VISTA also helped with the organizing of the event. We have had intermittent thunderstorms all week, but look to have a good evening of weather for the fun.

TL staff and youth help with Food Distribution

First Lutheran Church in Parkersburg has an active food pantry, and they held a major community food distribution yesterday with the Mountaineer Food Bank. Lisa and Vicki (MSW field placement) and Marina Wells, volunteer, as well as several youth in the Transitional Living program, volunteered and helped at the event. Over 1000 people were assisted with food. The Parkersburg News covered the event, and Vicki was among those quoted about the success of the event.

Child Abuse Prevention Leadership Institute

Several staff attending sessions at the Prevent Child Abuse WV and DHHR hosted conference in Charleston this past week. Several of our programs receive support from these organizations, and this conference was a great opportunity to participate with others from all over the state who focus on prevention efforts. There were very good national presenters and the state leadership is very strong in this area. We came away bolstered in our local efforts to help families prevent problems, and feel supported and strengthened.

OM&GA campaign- Mother's Day Flowers

The agency received a check for over $61,000 Friday from the OM&GA (Oil Marketing and Grocers Association) from the campaign around Mother's Day. They have already announced they will have our agency as the charity next year, too!!! This is exciting and a tribute to the work of Mary and the staff at making the OM&GA members feel supported in the campaign. The event at Davis in Charleston was very positive and affirming of the good connections made between the agency and the folks from OM&GA.

Book, Vinyl Record, Parking Lot Sale yesterday

We made $462 yesterday at the combined sale. Austi, Angela, Lisa and Lisa worked hard setting up an inviting sale, and I puttered around the records. In the "battle" of supremacy for most sales, the BOOKS (and parking lot sale) beat out the records this time around. I enjoy the community spirit among the music loving record hunters, and a number of people ask questions about the agency's work when they are browsing the books. The weather was nice, the turnout a little disappointing, and LOTS of stuff to pack back up at the end. We hope to have those items available for a parking lot sale Barb and Mary are having next weekend for breast cancer research fund raising.