ELKINS — The Randolph County Commission unanimously approved funding requests from a host of local organizations during its most recent meeting.

The first funding request came from Owen Peet, president for Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs. The annual event, which typically draws thousands of visitors, is set for May 10.

“This long-time event is a chance for children to learn new skills, experience the outdoors, and receive positive messages about making good choices,” Peet told the Commissioners. “We are committed to making sure that this event continues to be free for local families. Removing any financial barriers that might prevent children from attending.”

Peet requested $5,000 from the County Commission for the event, which focuses on promoting outdoor recreation and educating local youth about the dangers of drug use. Free prizes, including fishing poles, are given away to each child who attends.

“We participate every year in the event,” said Randolph County Sheriff Rob Elbon, who was attending the meeting. “All of our deputies attend and we always give away prizes and have activities for the kids to do.”

The Commissioners agreed to help fund the event with $5,000. The money will be taken from the hotel-motel tax line item in the county budget. 

Steve Currence of the Tygart Valley Lions Club asked the Commission to help fund this year’s Tygarts Valley High School Safe Graduation event.

“We are going into our 38th year of graduation lock-in and we started it when we had some students, graduates killed in a car wreck while drunk driving on graduation night,” Currence said. “We are trying to alleviate that and give parents one safe night before their kids become adults. Normally we have about an 84% participation rate from our graduates… We are asking for some help so we can give these kids a good night.”

“Again, like HOFNOD, this is something we support each year,” Kesling said. “We are glad to help out when we can.”

The commission agreed to fund the Tygarts Valley High School event with $2,000 that will be taken from the courthouse contractual line item in the county budget.

Lissa Eason, president of the Elkins Kiwanis Club, requested money for Elkins High School’s Safe Graduation.

“This is our first year to host the Elkins High School Safe Graduation lock-in,” Eason said. “The High School approached us and asked us if we would and we told them we would be happy to because part of Kiwanis’ mission is helping local kids.

“We have scheduled many events and games running all night… We have a lot of different food for the event as well… Each senior will receive a $125 gift with multiple opportunities for them throughout the night to win prizes… This is the 40th year of this, so we’ve invited the Class of 1985 to be involved,” she said. “Any help would be greatly appreciated.”

The commission agreed to fund the EHS event with $2,000 that will be taken from the courthouse contractual line item in the county budget.

Kump Education Center Director Heather Biola requested funding to help with the purchase of a new roof for the facility.

“We’ve put money into the roof from the very first grant we got from the Preservation Alliance and the State Preservation Office,” said Biola. “We worked for five years to get this grant and they realized that we really needed it. So they’re stepping up and giving us $24,000 and we have to match that…We believe we have $16,000 and that is why we are asking for $8,000 to make up the difference.”

Kesling said the Commission always tries to help as much as it can with the historical buildings in the county.

“It’s not only a landmark just for Elkins, but for Randolph County,” Kesling said about the Kump Education Center. “We always try to help out when we can and I love old homes and things that are historic.”

The County Commission agreed to help fund the roof project with $8,000. The money will be taken from the county budget’s hotel-motel tax line item.

Kesling said the Commission has received a letter from Elkins Rotary Club and American Legion Post 29 about the two organizations working together on a Gold Star Memorial Monument that will be placed in downtown Elkins, behind the All-Veterans Memorial on Railroad Avenue.

“They said they are within $20,000 of the total $165,000 required to finalize the construction of the monument and surrounding plaza,” Kesling said. “It will be a lasting tribute to the Veterans and the Gold Star families in Randolph and surrounding counties.”

The Commission agreed to provide $5,000 to the Gold Star Memorial. The money will be taken from the hotel-motel tax line item in the county budget.

Kesling said he also received a letter from the Randolph County Meals on Wheels program requesting help with funding. 

“It’s a line item in our budget to supply funds to Meals on Wheels, and we give them $5,000,” Kesling said. “We just approved our budget for next year and that is still in that budget. Even with the money they receive from other organizations and us, they said that they are shy of what it costs to provide meals so they are asking for an increase to $7,500. By the time we got this our budget was completed with that $5,000; however, I was able to move some money around and help them out.”

The Commission agreed to help the Meals on Wheels program in the amount of $7,500.