Businesses thanked for ‘setting great example’



First Lady Gayle Manchin called the business community to action Tuesday during a luncheon at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center.

The topic was volunteerism, and Manchin, along with state and local representatives, provided insight on the importance of corporate community involvement.

West Virginia’s third Business Volunteerism Luncheon was an initiative of the West Virginia Business Volunteer Council.

“The BVC is a program of Volunteer West Virginia,” said Mitzi Miller, communications coordinator for Volunteer West Virginia. “We have had three regional events — one in the Eastern Panhandle and one in Huntington — but this is the largest turnout we’ve had by far.”

Organizers said more than 200 people had pre-registered to attend the event and there were several walk-ins who attended.

Director of Volunteer West Virginia Kim Barber-Tieman said that in addition to encouraging volunteerism, the primary purpose of the event was to celebrate the fact that people volunteer.

“We’re trying to let them know that we appreciate their efforts,” Barber-Tieman said, “and to say to them that the economy and the state really need everyone to step up to the plate and give what they can give.”

“Businesses are setting that great example,” she added, “so we want to honor that.”

The Beckley Business Volunteerism Luncheon was sponsored by the Beckley Area Foundation, Beckley Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce, AEP Appalachian Power, City National Bank and Verizon.

The event kicked off with a welcome from Susan Landis, executive director of the Beckley Area Foundation, and a video entitled The Business of Caring.

“This day is near and dear to my heart for many reasons,” Landis said. “I believe in philanthropy, and I believe in returning gifts to our community where we have prospered.

“I think it’s important that we each find ways to give back,” the director explained. “And we don’t just need to give money. That’s important, necessary even, but we can also be philanthropists by giving our time, talent and experience.”

The Business Volunteer Council is co-chaired by Manchin and Sam Cipoletti of Verizon West Virginia. Manchin was the keynote speaker at Tuesday’s event.

“We have been doing these regional meetings around the state to make sure that corporations, small business people and community leaders understand the importance of corporate volunteerism, business volunteerism, and of businesses and employers encouraging people at the workplace to get involved in community service,” Manchin said.

“It truly is part of corporate responsibility,” she explained. “A community provides the financial backing for a corporation to exist or a business to be successful, so it needs to work both ways.”

“If a community is going to support a business that comes into their area,” the first lady said, “then it seems appropriate for that business to turn around and put support back into the community. It can only make both of them stronger.”

Local businesses shared their thoughts on the role and worth of volunteerism in their companies.

“Volunteerism is good for the heart and the spirit,” said Sherrie Hunter, education and marketing director for the Raleigh County Solid Waste Authority. “We are in an extraordinary area because everyone pays attention to what everyone else is doing, and that’s happy news.

“People want to be involved in something good,” Hunter continued, “and they seem to always be willing and excited about volunteering. There’s all kinds of great things going on regarding volunteerism in southern West Virginia.”

Dawn Dayton, managing editor for The Register-Herald, also spoke on the significance of volunteering and community involvement.

“The Register-Herald is really committed to showcasing volunteer efforts of the people of Raleigh County and southern West Virginia,” Dayton said, reminding the audience that this summer the newspaper received the Governor’s Service Award for community service.

“We participate in the Raleigh County - Make it Shine Committee of the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce, throw huge support behind Sherrie’s Sweep and the United Way of Southern West Virginia, are on-board with the Salvation Army for their Camp-4-Kids program every summer, work closely with the Red Cross on occasion and sponsor Mac’s Toy Fund,” she said.

The toy fund, born at the newspaper in 1930, has volunteers from every walk of life conceivable, Dayton added.

“We have former bankers, current bankers, business people, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, church groups, cheerleaders and sports teams. Inmates at the Federal Correctional Institute in Beckley also contribute.

“We just want to thank everybody that participates in anything that we do.”

As the luncheon concluded, Manchin and Volunteer WV representatives encouraged local businesses, organizations and individuals to become members of the West Virginia Business Volunteer Council.

For more information or to become a member, visit volunteerwv.org or contact Volunteer West Virginia’s Emily Schoen at 304-558-0111.

— E-mail: cclark@register-herald.com