Published: October 30, 2009 09:10 pm      

Our Readers Speak — Oct. 31, 2009

Many helped with volunteer luncheon



Local businesses and area volunteers deserve recognition for their support of the Business Volunteer Council luncheon on Oct. 27. Over 200 people attended the event, demonstrating their interest in improving the quality of life in our community by volunteering.

A special thanks goes to City National Bank, First Community Bank, United Bank, AEP, Verizon and Mountain State University for underwriting the cost of the luncheon.

The excellent coverage provided by The Register-Herald prior to the event was instrumental in getting information to the general public. All of the local media outlets were on hand to interview participants. We demonstrated that in Raleigh County, the media is eager to cover good news and promote positive action.

Attendees were able to hear great stories about the role of businesses and volunteerism from Beckley native and first lady Gayle Manchin; Mark Dempsey, vice president of External Affairs with AEP; Emily Schoen, an AmeriCorps Vista volunteer; Dawn Dayton, managing editor of The Register-Herald and president of Mac’s Toy Fund; Sherrie Hunter, director of education for the Raleigh County Solid Waste Authority; and Curby, Raleigh County’s lovable robot who is an advocate for litter cleanups and recycling. Charlie Houck, from City National Bank, must be recognized as Curby’s voice.

The staff of the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center provided excellent service on a day when four different groups were holding lunchtime meetings in their facility. Quick Prince again generously helped BAF with all of the required print materials. Jill Moorefield, tireless director of Beckley Renaissance, provided significant assistance.

Ellen Taylor and Joe Guffy of the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce and Dena Cushman and Sharon Lilly, my co-workers at the Beckley Area Foundation office, were instrumental in making arrangements for the Beckley Business Volunteerism Luncheon.

I appreciate the many people who came together to demonstrate that our citizens are “in the business of caring.”



Susan Landis

Executive Director

Beckley Area Foundation

Beckley



Cell phones are just as bad as drunks on road



Well, I see they want the drunks off the road. That would be good, but we’ve got more than them out there. The cell phones are just as bad. Every time I go out, someone just about hits me.

I have a cell phone with a hands-free setup. But I never answer it or call until I pull off the road. The way I look at this is if I were in that much of a hurry, I would have left sooner.



Grover Adkins

Oak Hill