By Katherine Pyles
HQ 87 | AUTUMN 2014
Huntington, West Virginia, is a place where one person with a single dream can inspire others to help those in need. It is a place where people roll up their sleeves and reach inside their wallets in support of causes too many to count. Over the past 25 years, HQ has spotlighted many charitable organizations in celebration of our city’s spirit of generosity. In fact, one of the things we love most about Huntington is how many ways there are to give back. This year, celebrate Huntington – a small town with a big heart – by lending a hand. Here are 25 ways to do that.
Save an animal’s life
Guided by the motto, “Every life we save is a little victory,” Little Victories Animal Rescue provides shelter and rehabilitation to homeless, injured, abused and abandoned animals, guaranteeing their health and safety while searching for loving “forever homes.” Join in the effort to end animal homelessness by adopting or fostering a pet, donating food or other supplies, making a monetary contribution or volunteering at the animal shelter in Ona, West Virginia.
304-743-5802
Go on a mission trip
With more than 150 places of worship, many of them concentrated along downtown’s Fifth Avenue, Huntington is often justly called the “City of Churches.” Many of these churches send mission teams all over the world to provide medical care, do construction work and share their faith. Are you feeling called? If so, contact a local church to learn about available mission trip opportunities.
Live United
United Way of the River Cities supports programs and organizations within the community that address four focus areas: education, income, health and “safety net” services. With the slogan “LIVE UNITED,” United Way allows individuals to rally together and tackle a broad range of Huntington’s most persistent problems, including substance abuse, high school dropout rates, homelessness and childhood obesity.
304-523-8929
Be a Big Brother
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Tri-State Area serves at-risk youth from single-parent households by pairing them with a “Big Brother” or “Big Sister.” Big Brothers and Big Sisters spend a few hours each month with their “Littles,” participating in all sorts of fun activities and giving the children a new perspective on what the world can offer.
304-522-2191
Show kids you care
The Hoops Family Children’s Hospital at Cabell Huntington Hospital provides specialized pediatric care normally found in much larger cities. From financial support to volunteer opportunities to donations of toys and stuffed animals, the ways to help are as numerous as the children who will benefit from Huntington’s very own children’s hospital.
304-526-6314
Find a fund that fits you
Do you wish Huntington had a skate park? Would you like to see more flowers along our sidewalks? Or do you have an idea for improving Huntington that is all your own? Whatever your dream is, Foundation for the Tri-State Community can help you find or create a fund that will help bring that dream within reach. Foundation for the Tri-State Community works with and through as many individuals and organizations as possible to improve quality of life in the Tri-State region.
304-942-0046
Help the homeless
Along with several apartment complexes for homeless adults, the Cabell-Huntington Coalition for the Homeless operates a day shelter called Harmony House that is a one-stop shop for social services including health care, substance abuse therapy, housing assistance, job training and transportation services. Harmony House also offers showers, laundry facilities, mail and telephone services, donated clothing and toiletries, coffee and snacks – and simply a safe place to rest.
304-523-2764
Clean out your pantry
Facing Hunger Foodbank serves 17 counties in West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio. In 2013, the food bank distributed more than five million pounds of food to families in need. Every $1 donation provides up to seven meals, and donations of both perishable and nonperishable food items are collected during food drives throughout the year.
304-523-6029
Support Hospice of Huntington
Hospice of Huntington provides physical, emotional and spiritual care for those with a life-limiting illness as well as ongoing support for their families. Hospice provides care regardless of an individual’s ability to pay, and every dollar makes a difference.
304-529-4217
Join a Burrito Ride
The Burrito Riders of Huntington are proof that one person with a bright idea can make a positive difference in the community. On the second and fourth Saturday of each month, a group of bicyclists led by Tim Adkins ride around town, delivering warm breakfast burritos to the homeless and hungry.
502-544-5155
Have compassion for “the least, last and lost”
With faith in God and a commitment to serve the “least, last and lost,” the Huntington City Mission has been meeting physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of the area’s homeless population for 75 years. Whether someone is looking for a safe place to sleep for the night, long-term transitional housing or simply a warm meal, the Huntington City Mission can help.
304-523-0293
Share the joy of reading
The Tri-State Literacy Council is a volunteer organization that helps adults improve their literacy and numeracy skills. Trained volunteers offer free tutoring at the Cabell County Public Library to individuals just beginning to read as well as those hoping to brush up their skills in preparation for the GED® test or college.
304-528-5700
www.tristateliteracycouncil.com
Pick up a hammer
Huntington Area Habitat for Humanity works with individuals, churches and other organizations to build affordable housing for low-income families. Since 1989, the organization has worked toward the goal of providing every individual in our community with a simple, decent place to live in dignity and safety.
304-523-4822
Respect your elders
CCCSO, the Cabell County Community Services Organization, provides Meals on Wheels to the elderly in our community, as well as in-home care, Medicare counseling, nonemergency transportation and social activities.
304-529-4952
Get to know a Golden Girl
Golden Girl Group Home provides a safe, caring environment for neglected and pre-delinquent girls who are not able to make a successful adjustment in their natural homes or foster care homes. Located in Ceredo, West Virginia, Golden Girl Group Home currently serves 24 girls ages 12 to 21, helping them feel loved, valued and accepted so they are able to reach their fullest potential.
304-453-1401
Build a safer future for domestic violence victims
Branches Domestic Violence Shelter provides an emergency shelter, legal assistance, counseling services and case management services to victims of domestic violence as they make a fresh start. The shelter is always in need of basic items for families, including food, baby items, school supplies and toiletries.
304-529-2382
Break the cycle of addiction
The Healing Place of Huntington provides a long-term residential program of recovery for men suffering from alcohol and drug addiction. Built on two principles – unconditional love and personal accountability – The Healing Place offers hope, saves lives and restores families.
304-523-4673
www.thehealingplaceofhuntington.org
Give babies a chance
One of Huntington’s newest nonprofits is a residential infant recovery center called Lily’s Place, which will soon provide care to newborns suffering from prenatal drug exposure. Help these tiniest victims of drug addiction gain a full recovery by hosting a diaper drive or baby shower benefiting Lily’s Place or exploring other ways to get involved.
304-523-5459
Support the Boys & Girls Clubs
The John W. Hereford Boys & Girls Clubs of Huntington provide an after-school program for 10 Cabell County schools. Volunteers offer homework help, music lessons, arts and crafts, physical fitness programs and meals. Most importantly, the Boys & Girls Clubs give children unique opportunities for success that many of them would not have otherwise.
304-523-5120
Help fill a red kettle
The Huntington Salvation Army is “a place where the hungry can find food, the lonely can find a friend and the broken can find a fresh start.” From children to the elderly, from prisoners to veterans, the Salvation Army cares for anyone seeking the basic necessities of life – food, shelter and warmth. This winter, toss your spare change into one of those famous red kettles, or, better yet, find out how you can help today.
304-529-2401
www.uss.salvationarmy.org/Huntington
Donate a suit (or two)
Dress for Success of the River Cities promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Each Dress for Success client receives one suit when she has a job interview and up to a week’s worth of additional clothing when she becomes employed.
304-522-3011
www.dressforsuccess.org/rivercities
Show some goodwill
Goodwill Industries of KYOWVA Area is a human services agency and network of nonprofit businesses focused on helping people with special needs improve their quality of life through education, training and work-related services. In addition to disabled individuals, Goodwill serves former welfare recipients, single mothers, recent immigrants, high school dropouts and individuals with a history of chronic unemployment, incarceration or substance abuse.
304-525-7034
Buy a better water bottle
Green Acres Regional Center provides a continuum of services for developmentally disabled adults. Participants gain basic skills and work experience through lawn care and landscaping services and through Green Acres’ most well-known initiative, bottling water that is distributed and sold throughout the state.
304-762-2522
Keep mental health in mind
Since 1967, Prestera Center has provided mental health and addiction services to the Tri-State region, from children to adults to entire families. Prestera provides a variety of addictions services for men and women as well as long-term and short-term recovery housing.
304-525-7851
Get Fido fixed
Thanks to Help for Animals, a low-cost spay/neuter clinic in Barboursville, preventing animal overpopulation is easier than ever. Help for Animals educates the public on West Virginia’s pet overpopulation problem and offers financial assistance to underprivileged pet owners so they can afford to spay and neuter their pets.
304-736-8555
