MORGANTOWN — Brandi Helms, CEO of The United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties, said the pool party held Saturday has had a long history. It provides an opportunity for The United Way to bring families together and give them a chance to come out, spend time together and use the pool.
With the use of the pavilion at Krepps Park, it also gives the United Way a chance to make resources available to people in the community. These resources can be used to strengthen families. The fun filled day encourages people to come together and do things as a family in a positive environment, Helms said.
The United Way has a lot of moving parts and a lot of programs it works with. They can range from anything like senior services to early childhood programming, and after school programming.
The United Way also has a website called volunteermpc.org where people can find volunteer opportunities based on their interests.
The United Way also does an array of programs with the Family Resource Network, like outerwear collection, holiday food and toy distribution and sponsoring family events around the community.
Beth Elyard, who was the Family Resource Network manager until she retired in April, came to the pool party Saturday.
The Family Resourse Network holds a meeting the third Wednesday of every month for the Children and Family Leadership Council. It’s a group of family members as well as agents and representatives.
“We work together to try to enhance children and family’s lives in the community so it does reach a broad spectrum,” Elyard said.
Aside from fun events, Elyard said the Family Resource Center does hold training, and does things like a backpack drive. It’s a lot of brainstorming in the community. Elyard said she thinks The United Way gives people the opportunity to get involved in their own community.
Saturday families got to eat pizza and have fun as well as utilize the pool. Elyard said alot of times families are disjointed because we’re not all in the same place at the same time. Elyard’s family is away from Morgantown, so to her it’s like a family picnic.
“I get to see people I may not normally see in a really casual setting just having a good time,” Elyard said.
Helms said a lot of what people know The United Way for is fundraising but there are volunteers doing so much more than that everywhere. Saturday they were handing out pizza to the kids and doing chalk drawings with them on the sidewalk.
Some places offering information at the pool party Saturday were the Monongalia County Child Advocacy Center, WV Caring, and Parent’s Place. The United Way also has a resource guide available online 24/7.
“We’re really trying to be out there in the community and meet the needs of the community, things that have been identified,” said Helms.
Through committees, volunteers and families, The United Way is working to better the community, and remains receptive to what the needs are of those they serve.
