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By: Nicki Skinner, Editor - Updated: 3 days ago

TAYLOR COUNTY—From the eldest residents to children, the Tygart Valley United Way extends services aimed at giving individuals a leg up while helping them get back on their feet, not only assisting in a time of need but affording those they help a way to face their day with dignity.

Tygart Valley United Way workers realize that children in Taylor, Marion, Barbour, Randolph and Tucker counties are in need of everyday essential items, and to help with their plight, the organization launched their United for Kids campaign yesterday, June 21.

Often times, school pantries are used to help provide needed items for students. Through these pantries, youths are able to obtain food, clothing and basic hygiene items when there are no other options, but donations are needed to help sustain these services.

Through the United for Kids initiative, community members can make donations of items that will help these youths face their day with dignity and provide them with a means to stay healthy, happy and ready to learn upon their return to school.

From now until August 5, the United Way will be collecting hygiene and personal care items including travel-size shampoos, soaps and tissues, deodorant, hand sanitizer, Band-Aids, Chapstick, sunscreen and female hygiene products, as well as laundry detergent and dryer sheets.

Donations of dental care items including mouthwash, toothpaste, floss and toothbrushes are also being requested, in addition to non-perishable snacks and clothing items including flip flops, underwear, t-shirts, shorts, socks and sweatpants.

The collected items will then be distributed to schools across the five counties served by the Tygart Valley United Way.

Drop-off spots have been set up in each to provide convenient locations for residents to leave their contributions. Donations may be made at Tygart Valley United Way offices in Fairmont at 221 Washington Street and in Elkins at the Wood Tech Center, located at 10 11th Street.

Both of those locations offer a 24-hour drobox for even more convenience.

To make things even easier, community members can also shop online using the Amazon Wishlist that has been set up for the United for Kids program. Items purchased will be shipped directly to the Tygart Valley United Way, making donating simple, quick and easy!

Individuals are also able to make monetary donations toward the campaign. To do so, or to access the Amazon Wishlist, please visit www.tvunitedway.org/unitedforkids.

Those wishing to take part can even rally their friends, families and colleagues to sponsor a collection. To do so, simply gather a group, promote your collection and begin gathering items.

Sponsor groups may contact the United Way who will help coordinate a drop-off or will even come to pick up collected items. Collection bins and marketing materials may be provided if needed.

“Our volunteers, partners and donors are the lifeblood of the United Way, and we could not be any more grateful to them for the work that’s being done in our region,” voiced Tygart Valley United Way Chief Executive Officer Brett White. “They are truly Living United!”

For more information about the United for Kids collection, please visit the aforementioned web address.

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