High Points of the Valley (Graphic Illustration)

* Members of Parkersburg Firefighters IAFF Local 91 raised an impressive more than $4,000 in September, with boots on the ground and in-hand at the intersections of Pike, Broadway and Blizzard in south Parkersburg. Passing motorists filled those boots for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Sometimes we forget how much more our firefighters do for their communities than what we expect. Though it had been absent for a couple of years, the Fill the Boot Campaign took in $4,106 in only four hours. IAFF Local 91 Secretary/Treasurer Seth Foutty hopes the tradition will be revived. “We were glad to be able to do it this year and to be able to do it every year,” he said. “It is important for me being in Parkersburg to be able to raise funds here and support this cause. It is good when the community can come together to be able to help these people out.” Foutty said he wanted to thank the community, but the firefighters who helped raise the money deserve a thank you, too.

* Community support is essential for the nonprofits that do so much good for Mid-Ohio Valley Families. A recent gift of $50,000 from Aetna to help the Children’s Home Society get the Wood County Family Support Center running is a wonderful recent example. “The family support centers are in the majority of all counties in West Virginia and they provide direct services to those in need in every county,” said Taylor Daugherty, community development coordinator with Aetna Better Health of West Virginia. “These centers across the state are the ones providing direct services to families through a food pantry, parenting classes, hygiene and more. They are serving those in need. They are one the front lines for those in need of services. Our goal is to enhance those efforts.” The space, at the former Worthington School, is expected “to be used for community engagement and helping the community around us as well as anyone who needs to come and use our services,” said Denise Hughes, director of programming for CHS. Thank you to Aetna for helping make that happen.