United Way Alliance to kick off campaign, centennial celebration

The following article first appeared in The Parkersburg News & Sentinel on August 30th, 2023.

The United Way Alliance of the Mid-Ohio Valley next month will kick off its annual campaign with a big party as the organization approaches its centennial anniversary in October 2024.

The campaign kickoff and birthday party will be held from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, in the 500 and 600 blocks of Market Street in downtown Parkersburg. The event will include children’s activities, confections and concessions, giveaways, live music and children’s entertainers, among others, according to Stacy DeCicco, executive director of the United Way Alliance.

“This is such a tremendous occasion for our organization,” DeCicco said. “A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our community to come together and recognize all that has happened over this century of impact.”

In October 2024, the United Way Alliance will turn 100. The annual campaign kickoff will start a year-long celebration leading up to that milestone, DeCicco said.

The theme of the centennial celebration is “100 Years of Service,” she said. Local United Way leaders are excited to start unveiling all that will happen throughout the year, DeCicco said.

The celebration is sponsored by Chemours.

“Chemours wanted to sponsor the 75th anniversary (of the Washington Works site) in conjunction with the United Way’s 100th year, because the United Way helps us create and direct our programs and efforts to those in the community who need it the most,” Jim Hollingsworth, Chemours plant manager, said. “It’s all about impact and knowing that the outcome is action that’s truly making a difference to our families in the Mid-Ohio Valley.”

The annual campaign of the United Way Alliance has raised more than $1 million each year for the last five years, DeCicco said. The United Way Alliance also sponsors the signature Sour Mash Golf Tournament, Day of Action, Laugh United and the Festival of Trees.

Agencies in the region such as Habitat for Humanity of the Mid-Ohio Valley in Wood and Washington counties, Eve Inc. in Marietta and the Family Crisis Intervention Center in Parkersburg are supported by the United Way Alliance. Programs and initiatives include the 211 information referral, support for food pantries and hunger programs and Ready to Learn to help children become good learners at an early age.

While Sept. 9 will be the kickoff of a year-long celebration, the festivities will culminate in a black-tie gala around the anniversary date, DeCicco said.

“When we kick off on the 9th, we will be unleashing an entire year of celebrations and special opportunities,” she said.

The roots of the United Way Alliance go back to the Community Chest, DeCicco said.

“Over time it has grown and evolved to the modern day United Way that you see blossoming in our community today,” DeCicco said.

“We have so much service to honor and success to celebrate,” she said. “We cannot wait to get it all underway.”