OMEGA Raises Over $77,000 to Improve the Health of WV Children

Thursday, 09/20/2007

The West Virginia Oil Marketers & Grocers Association (OMEGA), an association representing convenience stores, independent grocers and petroleum marketers across West Virginia, in conjunction with the YMCA’s of West Virginia, raised $77,413 to help improve the health of state children through their Get Movin’ West Virginia Campaign, association representatives announced today. Jan Vineyard, President of OMEGA, said, “We know all too well that our state suffers from many chronic health problems and our members want to help stem this epidemic. Our goal is to help get our kids off the couch, out of the streets and into a safe and healthy environment in the after school hours. The funds raised through the campaign will go towards covering tuition costs and instructor training at certified West Virginia after-school programs – offered by the YMCA and others – to help instill positive habits at a young age.” Vineyard said hundreds of OMEGA member convenience stores, groceries and petroleum marketers across the state sold paper “Y” logos for $1 apiece throughout the month of August. In addition, a golf outing was held at Glade Springs Resort on Thursday, September 20 where many corporate sponsors, such as ExxonMobil, Petroleum Products, One Stop, Sledd Company and Eby-Brown, donated tens of thousands of dollars to the cause. Greg Cottrill, YMCA Coordinator for the campaign and President of the YMCA of the Kanawha Valley, said, “YMCA after-school programs are designed to establish or reinforce positive habits in our youth. In addition, they help combat the rising incidents of obesity prevalent in children in West Virginia as reported by the Centers for Disease Control. I would encourage parents to seek out an after-school program in their area.” Cottrill said there are over 18,000 West Virginia K-12 age children in after-school programs, however, there are 48,000 children that are unsupervised in the after school hours. “The YMCA’s of West Virginia are very appreciative of OMEGA’s efforts and will make sure the money is used to help children across the state,” Cottrill added. For additional information, contact Jan Vineyard at (304) 343-5500 or Greg Cottrill at (304) 340-3540.

 

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