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Parkersburg Area Community Foundation hands out Give Local checks at reception

Photo by Jeffrey Saulton Jane Henderson, executive director of the Humane Society of Parkersburg, accepts a check of more than $7,000 from the Give Local MOV program.

PARKERSBURG — Money raised during the May 1 Parkersburg Area Community Foundation’s Give Local MOV was passed out to local groups during a reception Thursday at the Blennerhassett Hotel’s Charleston Ballroom.

Julie Posey, development and communication officer, said the event raised $324,175 for 47 groups with missions ranging from arts and culture to community improvement, education and youth development.

Groups raising the most funds were Faith Link, Parkersburg High School Foundation, Parkersburg Art Center, YMCA of Parkersburg and the United Way Alliance of the Mid-Ohio Valley; they also had the highest number of donors at 119, the most in the five years of Give Local MOV.

A key benefit of giving to the groups on May 1 was the availability of one-to-one matching funds and incentive prizes. Several regional sponsors, led by Superior Toyota, supplied matching funds making the day even more exciting, Posey said. In addition, several individuals and businesses offered private challenges to specific organizations and $7,000 in hourly prize incentives encouraged giving.

Groups receiving checks gave brief statements on how they will use the money.

Photo by Jeffrey Saulton Brian Raitz, executive director of the Parkersburg-Wood County Public Library, said the $2,930 received will be combined with a grant for some interior work at the library.

Jane Henderson, executive director of the Humane Society of Parkersburg, said the $7,560 they received will be used for their special needs medical care fund for treating cases out of the ordinary.

Brian Raitz, executive director of the Parkersburg-Wood County Public Library, said the $2,920 raised will be combined to update the entrance to the children’s room at the Emerson Avenue facility.

Emily Larkins, executive director of the Family Crisis Intervention Center, said the $8,357 received will go to replacing flooring in the residential area of the center and the rest will go to the general fund.

Judy Sjostedt, executive director of the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation, said giving locally is an investment in the community which will give back.

“Many of us see our non-profits as our hometown teams,” she said. “Many of us buy tickets to sporting events and we cheer on teams and pro sports for which there is little to no lasting or tangible value for our local communities; they’re fun but there is not a lot of value coming home.”

Photo by Jeffrey Saulton Emily Larkins, executive director of the Family Crisis Intervention Center, accepts a check for $8,357 for the center.

Sjostedt said there is nothing wrong with buying the tickets but local giving is something that comes home to help.

“Wouldn’t it be neat if we gave that same degree of enthusiasm and support for these places we have lived for many years,” she said. “Let’s follow our teams, let’s cheer on these hometown communities. It’s just common sense to put our money in places where we are going to put a lifetime.”

Sjostedt said giving locally helps to build long-term resources for the region.

“You are not just throwing your money at watching someone play ball; you are really doing something that is building something,” Sjostedt said. “When you look at all the groups working hard in our communities tonight, you are doing fantastic work with them in our area; you are getting people to score big all over town.”

Sjostedt said giving helps people cope with and recover from bad situations and get a new beginning for their lives. They also help to bring in art and culture to the area and to improve educational opportunities.

“The work you are doing is continuous,” Sjostedt said. “It’s not once a season. It is something that makes our part of the state a great place in which to live and to work and raise our families.”

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