Submitted photo From left, District Governor of Rotary Club 7545, Dan McCarthy, presented Randolph County Commissioners Davis Kesling and Cris Siler with a plaque, as Elkins American Legion District Chairman Donnie Lambert looked on.

ELKINS — The Randolph County Commission was recognized for its contribution to Elkins Gold Star Families Memorial Monument during their most recent meeting.

The monument, which was placed in Veterans Memorial Park in June, was created in honor of Gold Star Families, those who have lost loved ones in the line of service. The County Commission provided $5,000 for the Gold Star Families Monument.

Dan McCarthy, District Governor of Rotary Club District 7545, and Elkins American Legion District Chairman Donnie Lambert were on hand at the meeting to present the County Commission with a plaque for its donation.

“We really appreciate Dan and Donnie for coming to the meeting and thanking us for the donation for the Gold Star Monument,” Randolph County Commission President Dave Kesling told The Inter-Mountain on Friday. “We were happy that we were able to help fund the project for such a worthy cause.”

The two-sided black granite monument also features three granite benches. 

One side of the monument bears the words “Gold Star Families Memorial Monument, a tribute to Gold Star Families and Relatives who sacrificed a Loved One for our Freedom.” The other side tells a story through the four granite panels entitled “Homeland, Family, Patriot, and Sacrifice” with graphics that are representative of the area where the monument is located.

At the center of the monument is a silhouette of a saluting service member, which represents the legacy of the loved ones who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Together, these features tell each community’s unique story based upon the “Pillars of the Foundation.”

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During the meeting, the Commission agreed to donate four season passes for the Randolph County Community Pool and Splash Pad to the Tygart Valley United Way.

JoLynn Powers, regional engagement director for the TVUW, said, “Annually every year we host an online auction that supports the Tygart Valley United Way campaign. I’m asking the County Commission to provide four family passes to the Randolph County Pool/Splash Pad that I can use as online donation auction items.

“Last year we raised around $14,500 from our online auction. Most of the donations for it come from donations from Randolph and Barbour counties.”

Powers said this year’s goal for the United Way is $605,000. She said the money will directly affect 41 agencies in five area counties.

“The money I’m raising will go to the local FRN (Family Resource Network), the local Senior Center, the Humane Society, and many other non-profit programs,” Powers said. “So I’m always looking for ways to raise funds for the United Way.”

The next Randolph County Commission meeting will be Oct. 2 at the Commission Annex beginning at 1:30 p.m.