The Romney location would like to thank the Keyser Walmart and Brenda Wilson for the 13 boxes of new clothing. Members of the community in need will be able to access the clothing through our resource center.

6th Annual Victoria’s Race

 

Local Shell station helping raise money for Children’s Home Society of WV’

HEDGESVILLE — The Children’s Home Society of West Virginia is partnering with Murphy’s Convenience Store Shell in Hedgesville to raise money to help children in need. Through the Giving Pump program, a portion of customers’ purchases through Oct. 31 will be donated to CHS.

Shell started the Giving Pump program in 2021 to support communities and create a unique way to give back. Each year, many Shell stations throughout the country will have a purple pump, where part of the purchase will be donated to a local or national charity. Murphy’s Convenience Store reached out to the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia last year to help fund the work it is doing in the community. This year is the second time the two have teamed up to help make a difference.

Ami Sirbaugh, director of programming at the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia, is excited to continue the partnership. This year, CHS hopes to raise $500 through the event. For her and her team, it isn’t just about raising money but informing more people about what they do.

“Our goal is to just bring awareness,” Sirbaugh said. “We hope the folks who stop to get gas become aware of the needs of our families and what they are contributing.”

The Children’s Home Society of West Virginia’s Martinsburg location offers seven different programs for children and families throughout Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties. This includes foster care and adoption services, Victoria’s House Child Advocacy Center, the Monarch Family Support Center, the Honey Bee Family Support Center, mental health services and wraparound services.

The donations raised through the giving pump will go toward family support groups and parenting classes put together by CHS’ family support centers. Through these six-to-eight-week courses, families can improve their parenting skills and connect with others who are experiencing similar situations.

During each meeting, a meal will be provided for the families participating. Partnering with local businesses to raise money allows the Children’s Home Society to continue providing these services. Sirbaugh believes it also shows that people in the Eastern Panhandle care about their community.

“It’s invaluable,” Sirbaugh said. “It means so much to us, because we’re all very passionate about our work and helping children. Local business owners see that and are willing to help support us. It validates us and the unity in our community. Generally, people care about the community in the Eastern Panhandle. We’re all in it together. Everyone cares about making a difference in the biggest way they can.”

On August 20, Morgantown Home Finders, Brittany McCollam and Skylar Bennett, attended the Watson Elementary Resource Fair. They handed out free school supplies, information on CHS programs, and flyers for upcoming events!