West Virginia First Lady – and mother – Joanne Jaeger Tomblin, helped kickoff the campaign from the Governor’s Mansion by reading stories to children who have been adopted into “Forever Homes” through the Children’s Home Society. The children and others in attendance heard a brief performance from CHSWV board member and 2010 America’s Got Talent Winner Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.
“We are so appreciative of Mrs. Tomblin for allowing us to kickoff this truly worthwhile cause at West Virginia’s ceremonial “home” – the Governor’s Mansion, and to Landau
for the wonderful serenade. Their generosity allows us to highlight the great need that exists for helping West Virginia’s children,” Vineyard added. “This effort not only gives back to the communities where our members operate, but demonstrates the true philanthropic nature of our industry and our members. We encourage individuals across the state to assist in this effort by visiting their local participating convenience or grocery store.”
Brightly-colored, Mother’s Day themed, paper flowers will be sold for one dollar a piece at nearly 500 OMEGA-member convenience and grocery stores throughout the state,
including: Little General Stores, Inc., Par Mar Oil Company, BFS Foods, Inc., Go-Mart, Inc., TWJ, Inc., R. T. Rogers Oil Company, R. M. Roach & Sons, Petersburg Oil Company, Mini-Giants and the Kanawha City Foodland.
Mary White, chief operations officer for the Children’s Home Society, said “Our organization assisted 13,027 children from 13 locations last year and the need for help continues to be overwhelming. The West Virginia Oil Marketers and Grocer’s Association’s “Every Child Deserves a Loving Home” campaign has become paramount to the well-being of West Virginia’s children and families. The continued dedication and support enables the Children’s Home Society to find homes for children, support families and change their lives forever.”
OMEGA raised nearly $80,000 during this effort last year and more than $2.2 million dollars since 2003 for charities that improve the health, safety and wellbeing of West Virginia children.
About the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia:
The Children's Home Society of West Virginia is a private, non-profit child welfare organization founded in 1896. The Society is a participatory organization consisting of employees, foster families, adoptive families, volunteers, Board members, Directors Emeriti, advisory council members, donors, benefactors, supporters, and friends. They are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors that is representative of the communities they serve from around the state. They are licensed to provide child welfare and behavioral health services in West Virginia. They are a member agency of the West Virginia Alliance for Children, the Child Welfare League of America and are fully accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children. Comprehensive child welfare, behavioral health, social casework and advocacy services are provided to over 10,000 children each year from thirteen primary locations throughout the state. Some of their current programs are adoption, foster care, in-home and in-community services for children and families, emergency shelter care, respite, mediation, parent education training, prenatal and early childhood services, volunteer and mentoring, youth services, visitation and reunification, school based social work, day care and comprehensive assessment services.
