Local News

Charitable Merger

Regional United Way organization announced

ELKINS -- Officials announced Thursday that the United Way of Randolph County is merging with the United Way of Marion and Taylor Counties to form a new five-county organization.

The Tygart Valley United Way will also include Barbour and Tucker counties. The official launch of the new regional organization was announced by United Way leaders during a ceremony Thursday morning at Elkins City Park.

Brett White, chief executive officer of the new Tygart Valley United Way, said both the Randolph County and Marion and Taylor Counties United Ways "began as community chests and then each of them became united funds. In the 70s they became the United Way of Marion County and the United Way of Randolph County. In 2019 we added Taylor County, and now today we are coming together to become the Tygart Valley United Way."

Although the merger brings a name change, the local United Way will continue to do what it has always done best --help others.

"One thing that isn't changing is our mission," White said. "The Tygart Valley United Way is fighting for the education, the help and the financial stability of every single person in every community across our region."

"Our organization brings people together and I'm looking forward to working with everyone as we build a stronger community and work to address our most challenging issues, those of hunger, homelessness, substance abuse, after school, and education," White said. "We are rolling up our sleeves and getting to work right away."

The expanded regional United Way will have two offices. The main office will be located in Fairmont and the regional office will be in Elkins.

The Board of Directors has been expanded to include representation from Randolph, Barbour and Tucker counties.

A Regional Cabinet has been formed to support the fundraising and impact programs in Randolph County. This group will be made up of many who have transitioned from the Randolph County's Board of Directors as part of the merger.

The former Executive Director position in Randolph County has been transitioned into a Regional Engagement Director and will work with the CEO to build on the great success already established in Randolph.

White said Thursday the merger was inevitable and is something that will benefit everyone in the region. He noted that Gary Clay, who is the president of the Board of Directors of the United Way of Randolph County, was crucial to making the merger and expansion happen.

"This (merger) was a long time coming and we probably started talking about a year and a half ago about it," Clay said. "We weren't going to do this unless it was something that was very positive. And I'm here to tell you today, this is not only positive but extremely exciting as well. Coming together just makes sense and I'm confident that this next step in our history will only lead to bigger and better things."

The funded programs and agencies of both United Ways are being combined and new organizations are being encouraged to seek partnership in Barbour and Tucker counties.

The expansion will bring new programs across the region, including West Virginia 211, MyFreeTaxes, VITA Tax Preparation, and others.

"The Board of the Tygart Valley United Way believes this merger and expansion is the best way to serve our region's donors and agencies," Dani DeVito, president of the Board of Directors, said. "Through collaboration and teamwork, we will continue our focus on the needs of our region and the interests of our local donors, while leveraging best practices in service delivery, development, and strategic partnerships of a larger organization."

As part of the announcement event, volunteers also worked and installed Randolph County's first Born Learning Trail at Elkins City Park. This trail is geared toward early childhood development and is a trademark of United Way's mission to support families and children, officials said.