A $32,000 gift from the Deitzler Foundation was celebrated Monday at the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia for repairs, flooring and painting at the Arthur N. Gustke Children’s Center in Parkersburg. From left: Kelsey Cline, Children’s Center supervisor; Kathe and Harry Deitzler of the Dietzler Foundation; and Denise Hughes, executive director of the Children’s Home Society in Parkersburg. (Photo by Jess Mancini)

PARKERSBURG – A children’s organization in Parkersburg received a substantial gift Monday for repairs and renovations at its shelter.

The Deitzler Foundation contributed $32,000 to the Children’s Home Society for the Arthur N. Gustke Child Center.

The funds will be used to replace flooring, painting and repairs to the decorative glass with lead glass that once was the main entrance, said Kelsey Cline, supervisor at the shelter.

“(The foundation) has been a major supporter of the Children’s Home Center for a number of years, and not only financially,” society Executive Director Denise Hughes said.

The Deitzler Foundation was founded by Harry and Kathe Deitzler. Harry was a prosecuting attorney for Wood County before going into private practice.

To show its appreciation, the Children’s Home Society of Parkersburg presented a decorative award to Kathe and Harry Deitzler of the Deitzler Foundation for their support of the society and the Arthur N. Gustke Children Center. From left: Children’s Center Supervisor Kelsey Cline; Kathe and Harry Deitzler; and Denise Hughes, executive director of the society. (Photo by Jess Mancini)

“It’s important to give back to the community,” Kathe said. “To me, it’s important for children to be in a place where they are welcome.”

The Gutske Shelter has been in the facility since 2004. The Deitzler Foundation at that time contributed $10,000.

The shelter is a place where the kids “can be in a family when they didn’t have a family before,” Harry said.

The floor will be the first part of the project, then painting, Cline said.

The door is decorated with lead glass panels, which makes their restoration difficult, Hughes said. A company was found in Columbus, Franklin Art Glass Studios, capable of the project, she said.

The decorative entrance door with lead glass panels at the entrance to the Arthur N. Gustke Children’s Center in Parkersburg. Repairs will be made to the doors by the Franklin Art Glass Studios in Columbus, funded by the Deitzler Foundation. (Photo Provided)

“We are very appreciative of the concern the Deitzlers have for our kids,” Hughes said.

“And to make sure they have a nice place to stay,” Cline said.

The Deitzler Foundation was established in 2001. The shelter was named for Judge Arthur N. Gustke of Wood County.

Jess Mancini can be reached at jmancini@newsandsentinel.com