High Points of the Valley (Graphic Illustration)

* Wood County Commissioners heard from United Way Alliance of the Mid-Ohio Valley Executive Director Stacy DeCicco last week about continued efforts to coordinate services among local shelters who host cooling and warming stations and provide other services to the local homeless population. Not only is it the case that “the early steps we took are proving to be helpful and successful,” according to DeCicco, but The Gathering, House to Home, Salvation Army and Latrobe Street Mission have all provided the necessary information and agreed to continue reporting with the United Way. They are all working with the United Way to coordinate referrals from the 211 helpline. “(Those in need of shelter) just don’t get a room, they have to apply for special needs and special problems,” Commissioner Jimmy Colombo said of the efforts. “That is what (DeCicco) is doing and taking care of that by monitoring the people who are in that kind of business and want to do that have the necessary stuff to be able to take care of people.” It is an important effort, and it is good to see it succeeding and progressing.

* Community partners are an important part of the structure that supports some of our region’s most important organizations. Among recent examples is a gift of $100,000 from the Spartan Foundation and Tri-State Roofing and Sheet Metal Company to the Camden Clark Foundation. The money will go toward pediatrics and women’s and children’s services at WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center. It’s always a good reminder to those who are in a position to help: There are lots of good ways to make a difference for those around you. Thank you, folks.