The Falcon Center on the campus of Fairmont State University served as the location for the United Way’s annual Leadership Breakfast on Thursday, August 8th from 8:00am – 9:30am. Over 125 local business and community leaders from the Tygart Valley region joined the United Way staff to have breakfast and to hear about this year’s region-wide United Way campaign.
This breakfast is an annual summer event that precedes the kick-off of the fall United Way Campaign. It is hosted by Fairmont State University. Guests were welcomed by Fairmont State President Michael Davis.
Bringing together those in a position to affect the direction and future of our region, the Leadership Breakfast allows the United Way to present an overview of community needs and the role that businesses and individuals can fill in meeting those needs.
The Tygart Valley United Way covers Marion, Randolph, Taylor, Barbour, and Tucker counties. Attendees enjoyed hearing from Wren Baker, Vice President and Athletic Director at West Virginia University, who served as the keynote speaker. Baker shared his thoughts on the importance of working together and corporate philanthropy. Guests also enjoyed a surprise appearance by Tony Caridi, the official voice of the Mountaineers. He led a question and answer with Baker and thanked the group for their support of the community.
They also received an advance look at the 2025 Campaign that will kick-off on September 3rd. The campaign has a goal of $600,000.
Brett White, Chief Executive Officer, unveiled the media partners and the 2025 campaign theme, “United for Impact” and led the first viewing of the new materials that will be used this fall.
The dollars raised through the annual United Way fundraising campaign provides funding to support 39 programs at 30 local health and human service agencies in the Tygart Valley region. For more information on United Way, visit tvunitedway.org.
