PCHS Wildcat football team received $7,000 from a campaign that was a partnership between the football program and the Paden City Foundation. The check was presented at the fall Meet the Teams evening.

The Paden City Foundation, Inc. has been a very busy organization during the past 12 months and is thrilled to report a very successful year in terms of special projects and fund raising.

The Foundation, incorporated in 1987, serves as one of the town’s leading philanthropic charitable organizations with proceeds and funds benefitting a myriad of organizations and activities such as the city park and pool, the Paden City Museum, the high school athletic and music departments, the public library, local fire company and several scholarships for graduating high school seniors.

Last November, the Foundation, on behalf of the Paden City Museum was awarded over $20,000 from the Harry E. and Olive T. Barth Charitable Trust, administered by the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley (CFOV). The funds were used to make many improvements to the Museum including new windows on the front of the building on the second floor, replacing three ceilings on the second floor, replacing some brick on the front exterior, repairing the front display windows, installing a handrail at the front entrance and constructing a new exterior exit from the second floor on the back side of the building along with a new large concrete pad.

The was also some extension repair work performed n the interior walls on the second floor.

Speaking on behalf of the Foundation/Museum, Rodney McWilliams noted, “these were much needed improvements to the building. Having these items completed helps us maintain the safety, security and integrity of the building for several decades. The building is over 100 years old. We are extremely grateful to the selection committee at the CFOV for their confidence in granting us these funds to get these improvements completed.

Matt Ferrebee, a local contractor performed and/or oversaw the work and we are very pleased with his craftsmanship in getting this work done.”

During the early months of 2019, the Foundation also undertook a campaign to increase funds for use in scholarship awards to Paden City High School graduating seniors. Roy E. Huffman spearheaded the effort to raise some additional funds and was successful in gaining a substantial amount to be added to existing scholarship funds to ensure the viability of this program.

“A majority of the scholarships are funded through long-term investments and these added funds helped us increase the amount of the awards”, McWilliams added. “Roy has recently joined the board of directors of the Foundation and we are grateful to him for his efforts in this project.” It is also noteworthy to mention the Foundation receives memorial funds in honor and memory of loved ones and friends, usually at the time of their passing, and we are honored to assist in providing an appropriate manner to remember these people. This has occurred this year with funds received used to augment scholarship and other funds held with the Foundation.”

In June, the Paden City Museum held its annual Foundation 5K Run/Walk. Although the turnout for the race was smaller than usual, the participants were very enthusiastic and the event was as successful as each of the previous 8 races. “Our sponsors were very generous and allowed the race to cover most of the costs of the event. That enabled us to use the race entry fees to funds the three charities we selected for this year’s race.” Each year, the race benefits the Paden City Museum and the group also uses some of the race profits to benefit other charities. McWilliams added, “Even with the smaller turnout, we were able to hold a high quality race and turn a nice profit. In past years, we have donated to scholarship funds, the Wounded Warrior Project, WVU Medicine-Childrens. This year we split the profits among the Museum and also sent donations to the American Cancer Society for the advancement in research of colon/rectal cancer and also to the Easter Seals to support Autism research and support services offered to families facing autism. We are happy to be able to spread the charitable nature of the Foundation beyond the borders of Paden City, when possible.”

Also in June, the Foundation made it annual scholarship awards at the graduation ceremonies at Paden City High School. Several senior were granted scholarships to help defray the costs of education beyond the secondary level. These disbursements were in addition the annual distributions made to the Paden City Public Library, the Paden City Park and Pool Commission, and Paden City High School.

With the summer months, came another campaign the Foundation was proud to assist. Paden City High School hired a new football coach and the desire was great to rally support for the team and staff and raise money to benefit the program has historically brought a wealth of pride to the community. The Foundation and Coach Zach Heasley agreed to partner on a campaign with the goal of raising $5,000 to $10,000 for the football program to purchase needed equipment. The Foundation initiated a web-based campaign utilizing PayPal and again, Roy Huffman garnered interest by issuing an Alumni Challenge to all graduating classes of PCHS. On-line contributions and checks were received from all across the United States and within a few short weeks, a total $7,000 was raised and remitted to the Football program for their use in helping keep the Wildcat Pride alive.

McWilliams summarized by stating, “The past 12 months from last October/November to the present have been a very busy time for the Foundation and its projects and has been an equally successful time as well. Incoming funds have topped $30,000 with all the funds being used for worthy projects. We are very proud to be able to use these funds to fulfill our mission of service to Paden City and surrounding area and are extremely grateful to all those who freely gave of their time and talents and their monetary treasures. I also want to express personal thanks to the volunteers of the Museum and the various board members and officers of the Foundation who work diligently and joyfully to make this organization one in which everyone can be proud and continue to support.

For information about the Paden City Foundation, Inc., the Paden City Museum or any of its projects and funds, contact McWilliams at 304-482-9684 or Tammi Bowers, Treasurer at Wesbanco-New Martinsville banking center. Donations and correspondence can be sent to the Paden City Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 233, Paden City, WV 26159.