By Eileen Layman
I don’t know anyone in Clendenin, but I do know that West Virginians want to help each other—that’s what we do. It’s part of our heritage. It’s part of what makes us special.
On September 15, 2016, at the Economic Development Organization Conference—sponsored by First Energy and held at the Robert H. Mollohan Research Center in Fairmont—Jim Estep, CEO of the High Technology Foundation, spoke of the powerful impact the flooding in Central and Southern West Virginia has had on the economy and, more importantly, on the lives of fellow West Virginians. This struggle is far from over. In art article published in The State Journal, author Rusty Marks wrote, “Clendenin, WV, vows to rebuild, but can the town bounce back?” Marks interviewed Clendenin Mayor Gary Bledsoe, who stated that approximately 75 percent of the town’s homes and 99 percent of its businesses were either destroyed or damaged from the June flooding.
While visiting family in Hurricane, I passed Elkview and witnessed the closed retail stores and hotels. I heard stories of stranded families, damaged homes, broken lives and the struggle to rebuild. The day after my visit, at Immaculate Conception Church in Fairmont, Father Walter Jagela, in his homily, encouraged us to live our faith, and the idea of a fundraiser was born. The United Way of Central West Virginia, United Way of Marion County and Immaculate Conception Church are now partnering on a fundraiser to assist 100 Clendenin families in celebrating Christmas.
The organizations will use donated funds to purchase Wal-Mart gift cards in denominations of $500. The United Way of Central West Virginia will present the gift certificates to families. Donations are currently being accepted online at www.uwmarion.org and www.unitedwaycwv.org and should be identified as “Clendenin Christmas.” Clearly marked donations can also be mailed to Immaculate Conception Church at 406 Alta Vista Avenue, Fairmont, WV 26554.
Group collection efforts at local businesses and other organizations are also underway. Donations can be collected with checks payable to Wal-Mart Store #1714 and will be accepted in any amount until Wednesday, November 23, 2016. The organizations are hoping for a large response to a small gesture of assistance for fellow West Virginians.
For more information, contact John Ballengee, resident of United Way of Central West Virginia, at jballengee@uniteedwaycwv.org or (304) 340-3503.
About the Author
Eileen Layman has served as the finance director for the City of Fairmont since 2001. She previously worked as an accounting manager, credit manager and controller in the private sector and taught elementary math and science. Layman specializes in business consultations for in-depth analysis of financial statements, business planning and tax. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Fairmont State University, and she is a certified public accountant. Layman resides in Fairmont with her husband, Timothy, and two daughters, Cassandra and Sarah.
