What a wonderful event!
We would like to thank everyone who came to our 2026 Annual Celebration! It was a joy to celebrate both the impact of our efforts as well as the support of those who continue to make our work possible in the Eastern Panhandle.
Every dollar donated, effort made to help a neighbor, or moment spent volunteering has lasting impacts that will continue to benefit our community for years to come, because United is the Way to a better tomorrow!
A Year By the Numbers
It was a record-setting year for our community campaign:
- $1,325,000 raised, exceeding our campaign goal
- 37 Unity Campaign partners, raising $550,936 together
- $488,000+ raised by our top three workplace accounts alone
- 31st annual Day of Caring, with hundreds of volunteers showing up for their neighbors
- 500+ participants at our Thanksgiving morning Turkey Trot
As our Campaign Chair Michele Haden shared:
"We did have a big goal this year, and I'm excited to share with you that we not only met, but exceeded our goal. Our total campaign achievement for the 2025-2026 campaign is $1,325,000."
Celebrating Our Top Supporters
Join us in taking a moment to celebrate our top three workplace partners in our 2025-2026 Community Campaign!
We would like to thank P&G Tabler Station, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, and City National Bank for their commitment to support our community through our work in the Eastern Panhandle!
- 🥉 Bronze: City National Bank – $17,935 raised with a corporate match and a consistent push toward 100% employee participation
- 🥈 Silver: Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races – $48,787 raised plus surprise gifts delivered to United Way and several other local nonprofits on the same day
- 🥇 Gold: P&G Tabler Station – $421,383 raised marking the ninth year in a row as our top workplace account, up more than $19,000 from last year
P&G Vice President of Manufacturing John Shaver, who was also honored with our new Community Leadership in Action Award, shared some perspective on that legacy:
"I have been a proud supporter of the United Way now for 31 years straight. Do you believe that the Procter & Gamble Company has supported the United Way now for 113 straight years? It's been my pleasure to be part of that throughout my entire career, but specifically here in West Virginia, it's been an amazing journey."
Honoring Our Volunteers and Leaders
A few more moments worth celebrating from the morning:
- Don Jacot was recognized as Outstanding Board Chair for a second term and also named United Way of the Eastern Panhandle's Volunteer of the Year.
- Jessica Leonard was named Campaign Volunteer of the Year and will lead this year's campaign committee.
- E & B Insurance Agency, LLC received the Spirit of Giving Award, celebrating their hands-on involvement from sunrise Turkey Trot setups to hosting a mixer for United Way to volunteering at special events.
- We thanked outgoing board members Donna Van Metre, Melissa Knott, and Tracy Lord for their service.
- We welcomed our new slate of officers: Michele Haden (President), Jessica Leonard (Campaign Chair), Charlotte Norris (Secretary), and Brandon Armentrout (Treasurer).
- And we welcomed two new board members: John Collins of P&G and Amber Owens of Potomac Bank.
Board Chair Don Jacot summed up why all of this matters:
"It is only with incredible collaboration that we can create opportunities that all may thrive."
The Work Behind the Numbers
Every number we celebrate represents real people. CEO Penny Porter reminded us that behind every call to WV211 is a neighbor in need, and behind every dollar raised is a decision about how best to help them:
"The challenge isn't just about finding that immediate resource. It's also how do we find the long-term solutions, how do we address the root causes. We cannot do it as just one community organization as United Way. We understand that we do it together as a community."
That collaboration touched every corner of our four Impact Areas this year, from continued investment in West Virginia 211, the Regional Resource Connection and Warming Hands and Hearts to supporting 50 local nonprofit programs.
Thank You
None of this happens without the volunteers, donors, business partners, and nonprofit partners who show up for the Eastern Panhandle again and again. As we look ahead to another year of Day of Caring, the Mega Food Drive, the Turkey Trot, Giving Tuesday, and the Little Black Dress Event, we're grateful to have you with us.
Thank you for making this celebration, and this whole year, possible. United is the Way!