OUR MISSION
United Way mobilizes our community to action so all can thrive.
LEADERSHIP MESSAGE
As Board Chair, I am incredibly proud of the work that Tygart Valley United Way and our partners have accomplished this past year. Thanks to your generosity and dedication, we have made a meaningful impact in the lives of so many individuals and families throughout our region.
Despite the challenges posed by a changing workforce, we continue to adapt our traditional workplace campaign to ensure sustainable funding for our programs. Because of the generosity of our community, we surpassed our campaign goal, raising $602,578—funds that will go directly to support critical services.
I am excited about the future and the opportunities ahead to expand our reach and deepen our impact. Thank you for your unwavering support and belief in our mission. Your partnership is what makes all of this possible.
Christina Gouzd
Board Chair
I am honored to share with you the incredible impact Tygart Valley United Way has made over the past year. Guided by our commitment to being United for Impact, we have worked tirelessly to address the critical needs in our community and uplift individuals and families across our region.
None of this would be possible without our dedicated staff, volunteers, and supporters like you. As we look ahead, we remain committed to evolving and adapting to meet the changing needs of our community. With your continued support, we will ensure that Tygart Valley United Way remains a beacon of hope and opportunity for all.
Thank you for standing with us as we remain United for Impact.
Brett White
Chief Executive Officer
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LEADERSHIP, DONORS, AND CORPORATE PARTNERS
Tygart Valley United Way is proud to work with all its donors, partners, and volunteers whose contributions make a positive impact in our community.
Adams Office Supply
Alasky's, Inc.
Allstar Ecology
Antero Foundation
Barbour County Commission
Bennett & Dobbins PLLC
Bright Funds Foundation
Carpenter & Ford Funeral Home
City National Bank
Cvechko Insurance Services
Davis Trust Company
Elevate Physical Therapy
Elkins Business Consultants
Elkins Physical Therapy & Sports Clinic
Enersystems, Inc.
EQT Foundation
Equitable
Fairmont Eye Care, Inc.
Fairmont Federal Credit Union
Fidelity Charitable
First Exchange Bank
First Presbyterian Church
Ford Funeral Home Inc
Funkhouser and Smith PLLC
Grafton Rotary Club
Harry Green Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Highmark West Virginia
Huntington Banks
J.F. Allen Company
Jodie Parrack State Farm
Keystone Realty
Kokosing
Kroger Inc.
K.T. Bright CPA
Lake's Bookkeeping and Taxes
Manchin Injury Law Group
Marion County AFL-CIO
Marion County Commission
Master Service Corporation
MC Blankenship DDS
MegaCorp Logistics
Mon Power - First Energy
Mountain Valley Bank
Movement Mortgage
Mullens & Mullens PLLC
Omni Associates Architects
Peoples Bank
Performance Chevrolet
Pill & Pill PLLC
Propst Realty
Rotary Club of Elkins
Rotary Club of South Fairmont
ShalePro Energy
SocialBee Media
Sparks Fly WV
Springston Real Estate
Taylor County Commission
Tomblyn Funeral Home
Triangle Heating & Cooling Inc.
Truist Bank
United Mine Workers District 31
Kristie Vandevander, CPA
Walmart
WCO Flooring America
WesBanco Bank
Wilson Lumber Company
Williams
Wine for Humanity
WVU Medicine
XTO Energy, Inc.
Allegheny Insurance- Blue Ridge Risk
Barnes Learning Center
Board of Prisons- Pruntytown
Broaddus Hospital
Citizens Bank of West Virginia
City of Fairmont
City National Bank
Combined Federal Campaign
Davis & Elkins College
Davis Memorial Hospital
Davis Trust Company
Disability Action Center
East Dale Elementary School
East Fairmont High School
East Fairmont Middle School
East Park Elementary School
Elkins Rehabilitation and Care Center
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Equitable/AXA
Fairmont Federal Credit Union
Fairmont Marion Transit Authority
Fairmont Senior High School
Fairmont State University
Fairview Middle School
Family Services of Marion & Harrison
FedEx Ground
First Exchange Bank
Flemington Elementary School
Global Science and Technology
Harry Green Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Hero’s Haven Child Advocacy Center
HOPE, Inc.
Homestead Farm Center
Huntington Banks
Huttonsville Correctional Center
Jayenne Elementary School
Literacy Volunteers of Marion County
Mannington Middle School
Marion County Board of Education
Marion County Child Advocacy Center
Marion County Senior Center
Mon Health- Grafton City Hospital
Mon Health- Marion Neighborhood Hospital
Mon Power- First Energy
Monongah Elementary School
Monongah Middle School
Mountain Valley Bank
MVA- Fairmont Clinic
MVB Bank
ND Paper
North Central WV Community Action
North Marion High School
Novelis
Pierpont Community & Technical College
Pleasant Valley Elementary School
Randolph CLIMB
Randolph County Senior Center
Randolph-Tucker Child Advocacy Center
Rivesville Elementary/Middle School
Scouting America- Mountaineer Area Council
State of West Virginia
Stepping Stone
Tygart Valley Regional Jail
Tygart Valley United Way
Town of White Hall
Truist Bank
United Parcel Service
Walmart
WesBanco
White Hall Elementary School
Williams
Wilson Lumber
WV High Tech Foundation
WVU Medicine- Fairmont Medical Center
Toqueville
$10,000 +
Estate of Gleason and Jean Kuhn
Tony and Devanna Corley
Patricia Haas
Patrick R. Corsi
1 Anonymous
Pioneer
$5,000 - $9,999
Joyce B. Allen
Mike, Alysia, and Emme Davis
Visionary
$3,000 - $4,999
William and Lois Laughlin
Kevin and Donna Wilfong
Aaron and Tiffany Yanuzo
2 Anonymous
Pillar
$2,500 - $2,999
Patti and JT Hodges
Dr. & Mrs. Stanard and Linda Swihart
Brett J. White
1 Anonymous
Champion
$2,000 - $2,499
Dr. Christopher Edwards
Christy and Chip Miller
Melanie Thompson
Dixie Yann
Partner
$1,500 - $1,999
Cindy Dickey
Kevin Gessler and Amy Skeens
Amy Schumacher
2 Anonymous
Leader
$1,000 - $1,499
Matt and Catie Blankenship Snyder
Jim and Sabrina Chadwell
Abby D. Chapman
Ryan Courtney
Christina and John Gouzd
Terry Hummer
Gary and Linda Jack
Steve and Jean Jory
Jennifer L. Kinty
Rev DD and Mary Meighen
Charles Mullett
James Myers III
Blaire and Josh Wise
Harry and Judith Smith
Troy Snyder
Julie and Robert Sole
Allen and Pat Staggers
Brad Summers Jr.
Mary Jo Thomas
Tim and Hanna Turner
Craig and Pat White
Steven T. and Rhonda K. Wilson
7 Anonymous
Advocate
$500 - $999
Rebecca Ashcraft
Cindy L. Bajus
Mike and Donna Bell
Johanna and Scott Biola
Dale Bradley
Jeanie and Robert Brenneman
Andrew Cain
Cindee Campbell
Caroline Carlot
Jeff and Heather Collins
Warren and Judy Compton
Jason Ward Corbin
Angela and Darian Daniels
Ean DeBarr
Dani and Greg DeVito
Jill E. Eleyette
Carla Hamner
June A. Haught
George and Debra Hudak
Steve M. Johnson
David Kirk
George and Candace Levitsky
Tammy S. Linn
Joseph and Cindy Masturzo
Charles McCauley
Rebecca Miller
Tracy Miller
Cari Morgan
Pam and Jim Nolan
David and JoAnn Nuzum
George H. Perich
Deborah and Roman Prezioso
Robert Rector Trust
Brian Reesman
Julie L. Reneau
Susan and Steve Rodriguez
Jacob Slivka
Patrick and Amy Snively
Joe and Courtney Solberg
Kristie Stalnaker
Tara and Jim Stevens
Shae Strait
Caden Suplita
Ongun Taskin
Nancy L. Vandergrift
Barbara Wierzbicki
Philip M. Wright
Shannon Yost
14 Anonymous
2024 Senator Society Inductees
The Senator Society, which recognizes those leadership giving members that make single or cumulative gifts of $10,000 or more, was founded in honor of the eight West Virginians from the Tygart Valley region that have served in the United States Senate.
Devanna and Tony Corley
Gregory L. Starliper
Christy and Chip Miller
Dr. and Mrs. Stanard and Linda Swihart
Lake's Bookkeeping and Taxes
Elkins Business Consultants
YOUTH
OPPORTUNITY
Homestead Farm Center
The RURAL Program
Literacy Volunteers
Adult & Child Tutoring Program
Marion County FRN
Education Matters
Family Essential Needs Pantry
Scouting America
Leadership Development & Character Education
Stepping Stone
Educate to Elevate
Ready to Work
Disability Action Center
Education and Enrichment Programs
YWCA
YWCA Y-Teens
Randolph County CLIMB
CLIMB Mentoring
Taylor Co. Family Resources
Early Childhood Intervention
Barbour Youth Programming
HEALTHY
COMMUNITY
CASA of Marion County
CASA of Marion County
Family Service
In Home Care
Counseling
Marion County Child Advocacy Center
Child Advocacy Center
Milan Puskar Health Right
Friendship Fairmont
On Eagles' Wings
Therapeutic Horsemanship
Heart and Hand House
Summer Feeding
West Virginia Caring
Bereavement
Volunteer Caregiver Program
Hero’s Haven Child Advocacy Center
Child Forensic Interview & Family Advocacy
Randolph-Tucker Children's Advocacy Center
Children's Advocacy Center
Randolph County FRN
Randolph County Baby Pantry
FINANCIAL
SECURITY
Catholic Charities
Taylor Emergency Assistance
Elkins Client Support
Mannington Food Pantry
Food Pantry and Clothes Closet
Sobrania/ Soup Opera
Soup Opera
The Connecting Link
Emergency Assistance
The Salvation Army
Social Services
Meals on Wheels of Randolph County
Feeding Our Seniors
Randolph County Humane Society
Randolph County Humane Society
Randolph County Senior Center
Senior Nutrition
COMMUNITY
RESILIENCY
American Red Cross
Disaster Cycle Services
Hope, Inc.
Prevention Education
Shelter and Health Services
NCWVCAA Randolph
Randolph County Homeless Shelter
NCWVCAA Scott Place Shelter
Bed Bug Treatment
Move-In Kits
211
Our 211 team has seen tremendous growth this year. The Tygart Valley United Way now provides CRS coverage for five additional counties across the state. This gives opportunity for more people to access valuable resources in their time of need. Our team has also been busy preparing and submitting applications for the Dollar Energy Fund, which can assist low-income families with up to $500 toward their utility bills.
This summer, a text was received by 211 from a person in need of electric service payment assistance. Through WV211’s intake process, the caller disclosed that they were a single parent of four and their hours had been cut back at work, leaving them unable to pay their utilities in full. The family was issued a termination notice from the electric company and needed a place to turn. Our 211 team searched for agencies located in the caller’s area for programs that they could reach out to for assistance, including the Dollar Energy Fund. The CRS worked with the caller by gathering pertinent information for the application and submitted it on the caller’s behalf.
The Dollar Energy Fund application was approved, and the caller was ecstatic with the result. They were thankful for the 211 Community Resource Specialist taking their time with them, explaining the available programs, listening to them, and not making them feel bad about their situation. The caller stated that they had been embarrassed to ask for help, but the interaction with our 211 team left them with a sense of relief and the ability to keep the power on in their home.
100%
Database Verified
2,289
Connections Made
91
Dollar Energy Fund Applications
176
Families Served
1,394
Hours of Literacy & Math Instruction
32
Students with Increased GPA
Flipside Afterschool Program
This spring our program hosted a mental health themed family event which we titled “Mind Matters.” We invited families to join our staff and special guests Mainstreet Yoga for a demonstration on breathing techniques to support quieting the mind and relieving stress. The event went off quite nicely with a small but happy crowd of families in attendance. As we recognize that caregivers are busy and it’s hard for families to join us in person, we also made sure to send home resources. One of these take-home resources included a project that families and students could work on together over spring break.
If they completed a daily journal and interviewed a family member on techniques to relieve stress, they could bring back the completed journal and win a prize pack which included fidget toys, a model rocket kit, and several puzzles.
After spring break, a family member of one of our Mannington Middle participants reached out via email to thank us for the take-home project. They said that they work full-time and as a single parent cannot be present for many of their child’s school activities or events. They were grateful for the opportunity to be included in the family engagement event by way of the take-home materials and said that it opened a channel of communication around mental and emotional health between themselves and their student that would have otherwise not been possible.
We are very proud to have been able to assist with this process and look forward to reaching more families in this way.
AmeriCorps Progam
This school year, the team at East Fairmont Middle School developed a special project with regard to the school’s end-of-
year formal dance. Our program is open to all students at the school, however a large number of participants are from families with a low socio-economic status that have difficulty finding the extra money to spend on the “extras” in life: dresses, shoes, and hair for formal, namely. Our staff heard students talking about how they couldn’t afford to go to the dance so they jumped into action. Together, the students and staff hosted a donation drive for formal dresses and accessories. They reached out to local businesses and community members to ask for donations in a range of styles and sizes so that every student would have several options to choose from. On the night of the dance, our staff opened the Flipside classroom and turned it into a hair and nail salon. Five Flipside participants utilized their services and had a wonderful time getting ready for the dance together. We made sure to include students of all genders and identities and hosted a pre-formal snack in the room so that the students could all attend together. After the dance, the staff collected the formal items and created a closet in the Flipside room so that the project could continue next year.
This story really encapsulates the high level of support and care our staff shows for our students. When there is a need, they jump in and tackle it. We are proud to have contributed in this way and are so glad our students have a home with us.
22
Members
10,523
Hours Served
8
Service Projects Completed
$904,447
Returned in Refunds
$293,300+
Saved in Filing Fees
14
Counties Served
VITA
Volunteers are crucial to the work of nonprofit organizations everywhere. Without them, our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program would not exist. The responsibility of assisting someone with preparing their taxes can be a daunting task, but when you have a team of caring, dedicated community members behind you, you can make a huge impact. This year, we were fortunate to have volunteers from all walks of life as part of our VITA program, including a team from AmeriCorps NCCC. Whether you’re a recent high school graduate or CFO of a large company, you can make a difference in the lives of your neighbors.
One volunteer says, “Participating in the United Way's VITA program has been a positive and rewarding experience! It is a wonderful way to make an impact in the community by assisting individuals who may not otherwise have access to tax preparation services, allowing them to receive their refunds. The United Way provides ample training and support to volunteers, and I have learned a lot about tax preparation through my participation. I also appreciate how flexible the program is, which makes it easy to fit into my schedule. I look 
forward to continuing my participation in the VITA program in the future!”
Tax time is stressful enough, but it’s even more stressful for those who struggle to navigate the complex processes of online filing. Our volunteers saw an uptick in filers being issued Identity Protection PINs by the IRS this year. While this PIN is intended to reduce fraud, it can complicate things for the taxpayer. Our volunteers were able to take the time to explain the situation and help them obtain this PIN so they could file their return and quickly get their refund. We were delighted to see continued growth of the VITA program this year, with over 800 tax returns filed for our community.
$602,578
total raised
687
total givers
78
workplace campaigns
$144,000
special events
127
leadership givers
46
corporate gifts
41
women united
We celebrated another successful year with our Campaign Celebration on February 20, 2025 at the Robert Mollohan Research Center in Fairmont. This event, which was the conclusion of the 2025 community campaign, celebrated the finish with $602,578 raised to help support our local community.
Over 687 individual donors participated in the annual fundraising drive with over 127 leadership gifts of $500 or more. The Women United program saw 41 join.
Representatives from the Rotary Club of South Fairmont presented a check for $75,000 to the campaign, representing the total raised from the 17th annual Celebration of Lights this winter. The amount ties 2020 as the highest amount ever raised.
46 businesses provided corporate gifts. 22 small businesses joined the Small Business 365 Circle and a total of 78 workplaces ran employee campaigns.
Fundraising events also played a major role in helping to reach the goal. The first ever Lip Sync Battle added over $55,000 to the campaign. The Live United Auction, which was held in November, raised just over $11,000, and the new Laugh United in Elkins raised $3,000.
Gleason & Jean Kuhn Growth Award
MVB Bank
Outstanding Funded Partner Campaign
Homestead Farm Center
Outstanding Employee Coordinator
Tammy Linn- Mon Power
Greg DeVito- Marion County Schools
Campaign Cornerstone
Fairmont State University
Corporate Volunteerism
WVU Medicine- Fairmont
United for Impact Award
Huntington Banks
Novelis
Spirit of the Tygart Award
Mike Bell
Friend of Flipside
Marion County Public Library
Gary Clay Advocate of the Year
Cindy Dickey
Great Beginnings Award
Harry Green
LIVE UNITED Award
MegaCorp
Rev. Donal “Jack” Squires Award
Dani DeVito
Best of the Best Award
Mon Power- First Energy
Corporate Investment Awards
Bronze ($1,000 - $2,499)
Adams Office Supply
Barbour County Commission
Bennett and Dobbins PLLC
Equitable
Fairmont Eye Care
First Exchange Bank
First Presbyterian Church
Movement Mortgage
Peoples Bank
Rotary Club of Elkins
Tomblyn Funeral Home
Silver ($2,500 - $4,999)
Fairmont Federal Credit Union
Highmark West Virginia
Taylor County Commission
WesBanco Bank
Gold ($5,000 - $14,999)
Antero Foundation
Davis Trust Company
EQT Foundation
Harry Green
Huntington Banks
J.F. Allen Company
Marion County Commission
Performance Chevrolet
WVU Medicine
XTO Energy
Platinum ($15,000 - $24,999)
MegaCorp Logistics
Diamond ($25,000 +)
Mon Power- First Energy
Statement of Financial Position
(Year Ending December 31, 2024)*
Statement of Activities
(Year Ending December 31, 2024)*
Our inaugural Spring Soiree, “Once Upon a Time” set the tone for an annual event you don’t want to miss. Last year, attendees were transported into a world of whimsy and enjoyed an evening of enchantment. The event serves as the signature fundraiser for the Women United group.
Be sure to get your tickets for this year’s Spring Soiree, “Under the Big Top” on April 26, 2025.
TVUW’s Women United group had a wonderful year in 2024. Under the guidance of a strong advisory council, the group raised over $7,500 to distribute to local libraries within our region.
Libraries play a critical role in our communities, and these dollars go to help with technology upgrades, free youth 
programming, and instilling a love of reading in over 100,000 individuals.
"This is truly a blessing to our library and the Summer Reading Program."
"Without support from Tygart Valley United Way, we would not be able to offer all the services we have available."
The Women United affinity group raises dollars above and beyond the annual campaign to support these initiatives.
Premier
Signature
Spotlight
Partner
Christina Gouzd
Keystone Realty
President
Blaire Nuzum-Wise
TCO Land Services
Vice President
Amy Schumacher
Movement Mortgage
Secretary
Jennifer Wade
Conley CPA
Treasurer
Michael Bell
Mike Bell & Associates LLC
Michael Davis
Fairmont State University
Dani DeVito
ShalePro
Cindy Dickey
Fairmont Federal Credit Union
Carletta Edwards
Huntington Banks
Joey Garcia
Garcia Law Office
Kate Garlick
Davis & Elkins College
Kevin Gessler
Vandalia Health
Donna Heston
Marion County Schools
Christy Hines
Performance Chevrolet
Jessica Mayle
BC Bank
Debby Michalski
United Security Agency
Christine Miller
Upshur County Schools
Whitney Morris
Woodford Oil
Jim Myers
Mon Power/First Energy
George Perich
Pierpont Community & Technical College
Stephanie Pethtel
Allegheny Science Technology
Rhonda Robinson
House Hunters Real Estate
Eric Ruf
Barbour Community Health Assoc
Chuck Shields
Fairmont State University
Kelly Stadelman
Stadelman Consulting
Melanie Thompson
Huntington Banks
Kristie Vandevander
Vandevander & Nypl CPAs
Katie Willard
Social Bee Marketing Agency
Lisa Wood
Randolph Elkins Chamber of Commerce
Aaron Yanuzo
WVU Medicine
Executive
Christina Gouzd- Chair
Blaire Nuzum-Wise
Amy Schumacher
Jennifer Wade
Cindy Dickey
Mike Bell
Dani DeVito
Debby Michalski
Chuck Shields
Katie Willard
Aaron Yanuzo
Finance
Jennifer Wade - Chair
Jim Chadwell
Taylor Downs
Carletta Edwards
Kevin Gessler
Gary Jack
Christina Gouzd
Melanie Thompson
Kristie Vandevander
Nominating
Mike Ball - Chair
Aaron Yanuzo
Michael Davis
Blaire Nuzum-Wise
Governance
Cindy Dickey - Chair
Donna Heston
Jim Myers
Eric Ruf
Christina Gouzd
Joey Garcia
Community Review
Debby Michalski - Chair
Aaron Yanuzo - Vice Chair
Cindy Bajus
Anne Beardslee
Mike Bell
Jeanie Brenneman
Heidi Bray
Maria Bray
Mariah Cunningham
Allena Crockett
Shaela Duckworth
Natalie Feltz
Tori Gaston
Emily Garcia
Christina Gouzd
Carly O'Dell Jones
LaTora Keigley-Harker
Allan Keener
Amy Karnes
Ashley Lambiotte
Tammy Linn
Krissy Michael
Rebecca Miller
Julia Miller
Mary Anne Mullenax
Jayme Payton
Eric Ruf
Alisia Shreve
Travis Smith
Carolyn Thele
Melanie Thompson
Kristie Vandevander
Personnel
Chuck Shields - Chair
George Perich
Jessica Mayle
Stephanie Pethtel
Amy Schumacher
Women United
Dani DeVito - Chair
Treasure Barberich-Wyckoff
Cindy Dickey
Angela Daniels
Christina Gouzd
Swapna King
Amy Schumacher
Flipside Advisory
Christy Miller - Chair
Donna Heston
Natalie Snider
Heather Wright
Nancy Joseph
