With more than 4,000 West Virginia children in out-of-home care and 1,200 children in need of adoption, the West Virginia Oil Marketers & Grocers Association (OMEGA) and the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia have launched their Fifth Annual “Every Child Deserves A Loving Home Campaign”. This statewide effort to raise funds for Children’s Home Society assistance programs will run April 10 through Mother’s Day, May 10.
Jan Vineyard, President of OMEGA, said, “Every child deserves a loving home, and there are too many West Virginia children living with crisis in the family. This campaign will provide funds to the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia, which has shelters and assistance programs in every corner of the state, to help those children and families in need.”
West Virginia First Lady – and mother – Joanne Jaeger Tomblin kicked off the campaign from the Governor’s Mansion today by reading stories to children in the care of the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia.
“We are so appreciative of Mrs. Tomblin for utilizing West Virginia’s ceremonial “home” – the Governor’s Mansion – to highlight the great need that exists for helping West Virginia’s children,” Vineyard said.
Brightly-colored paper flowers will be sold for one dollar at nearly 500 OMEGA-member convenience and grocery stores across the state.
“We are asking the public to join us in this effort by supporting an organization that works to help children in distress,” Vineyard said. “I would encourage individuals who see the campaign in their local convenience or grocery stores to join us in assisting West Virginia children.”
Vineyard said OMEGA has partnered with the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia to raise funds that will be used to support child assistance programs, such as emergency child shelters, foster care, adoption, mentoring, early intervention and numerous other family support programs throughout the state.
Mary White, director of development and philanthropy for the Children’s Home Society, said, “Our organization assisted 13,479 West Virginia children from 13 locations last year and the need for help is overwhelming. This campaign will not only raise awareness about West Virginia children who need help or a family to call their own, but will provide our organization with a greater ability to make a positive impact on children’s lives.”
OMEGA members participating in the campaign include: Little General Stores, Inc., One Stop, Par Mar Oil Company, BFS Foods, Inc., Go-Mart, Inc., TWJ, Inc., R. T. Rogers Oil Company, DeFazio Oil Company, R. M. Roach & Sons (ROCS) and Kanawha City Foodland.
OMEGA raised more than $88,000 during this effort last year and over $2 million dollars since 2003 for charities that improve the health, safety and wellbeing of West Virginia children. “This effort not only gives back to the communities where our members live and work, but it demonstrates the philanthropic nature of our industry. This is a win for all involved: the children, our members and the public.”
