On Wednesday, September 7, YCF concluded its Opportunity Day Campaign with the celebration of Opportunity Day. The event took place at the Blaney house and was hosted by WVU President E. Gordon Gee.
During a two week period, from July 15-July 31, 11 nonprofit organizations from Marion, Monongalia, and Preston counties solicited donations for their endowed funds held with YCF. Donations raised during the period totaled $71,502, coming from 140 donors. The amount will be matched from the YCF Opportunity Fund, which was established thanks to the generosity of many community members and businesses.
The amounts raised by the nonprofit organizations are as follows:
Marion County
The Disability Action Center – $11,430
Monongalia County
Arts Monongahela – $2,441.70
Bartlett House – $4,889.70
Empty Bowls Monongalia – $6,950
Milan Puskar Health Right – $10,800
Mon County Habitat for Humanity – $4,015
Mon River Trails Conservancy – $10,151.03
Monongalia County Child Advocacy Center – $10,000
Mountaineer Area Young Life – $2,025
Women’s Giving Circle of North Central West Virginia – $6,000
Preston County
Food for Preston – $2,800
The nonprofit organizations may choose to use the matching grant to provide for an immediate need or invest the funds into their endowment for long term growth and earnings.
Pictured are representatives from each organization. From left to right, Julie Sole – The Disability Action Center, Steve Decker – Chair of YCF, Laura Jones – Milan Puskar Health Right, Keri DeMasi – Bartlett House, Shawnda Cook and Michael Biafore – Mon County Habitat for Humanity, Ella Belling – Mon River Trails Conservancy, Beth Fuller – Women’s Giving Circle of NCWV, Tammy Laney – Food for Preston, Laura Capage – Monongalia County Child Advocacy Center, Jack Thompson and Terri Cutright – Arts Monongahela, Ben Tuel – Mountaineer Area Young Life, Patty Showers Ryan – YCF President, and Jerrey Hoyt (not pictured) – Empty Bowls Monongalia.