Operation Welcome Home was recently awarded a $15,000 grant by the Hazel Ruby McQuain Charitable Trust, a consistent supporter of the organization’s efforts to assist local veterans.
The Hazel Ruby McQuain Charitable Trust is a nonprofit foundation dedicated to continuing Hazel Ruby McQuain’s philanthropy in the Morgantown area.
“We have been able to build our ability to meet the needs of veterans in north-central West Virginia because of funding provided by the Trust,” said Executive Director Tiffany Summerlin.
Operation Welcome Home has served the community for the past decade, working to assist veterans with employment, educational workshops and social opportunities.
They aim to find new ways to have an impact on veterans, said Summerlin, and this grant will empower them to do just that.
The Hazel Ruby McQuain Charitable Trust’s grant will be used for a variety of purposes, including a new goal of Operation Welcome Home – providing veterans with monetary assistance or donations to help accelerate their employment process or allow them to overcome an obstacle in their life. Although this won’t be a focal point of the organization, it is part of the goal to expand resources and network in 2023.
“This year, we just want to strengthen our network with other organizations and individuals throughout the state,” said Summerlin.
Within the organization’s programs, Operation Welcome Home will continue its Veteran’s Agriculture Training Program with the WVU Extension, an opportunity to learn about agriculture and gardening, whether it be for a career, self-sustainability, or a hobby. These workshops will be held in spring and summer.
In spring, OWH will also be offering a new program on raising poultry — an attractive idea considering the price of eggs, said Summerlin.
Updates on these events will be posted on Operation Welcome Home’s Facebook page, facebook.com/welcomehomewv, or the Veteran’s Agriculture Training Program’s Facebook group, facebook.com/groups/owhvatprogram.
“I think if everyone realized the value that a veteran can bring to their community, I think everyone would be doing their own thing to make West Virginia a more attractive destination for veterans,” said Summerlin. “We’re just trying to change the perception of the value that veterans can bring to employers, communities and schools.”
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