CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The West Virginia Oil Marketers & Grocers Association (OMEGA), an organization representing convenience stores, independent grocers and petroleum marketers across West Virginia, raised $79,615 to help the children and families cared for by the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia during the “Every Child Deserves a Loving Home” campaign, organization representatives said.
“Our members—the hundreds of local convenience and grocery stores West Virginians shop in every day—are very proud of this effort to make a difference in children’s lives and we are very appreciative of the public who truly supported this campaign,” said Jan Vineyard, president of OMEGA.
OMEGA-member convenience and grocery stores partnered with the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia to raise funds that will be used to support child assistance programs, such as emergency child shelters, foster care, adoption, mentoring, early intervention and numerous other family support programs throughout the state.
Nearly 500 OMEGA-member convenience and grocery stores sold brightly colored, Mother’s Day-themed, paper flowers for $1 from April 10 to May 10 across West Virginia.
Mary White, director of development and philanthropy for the Children’s Home Society, said, “Our organization assisted 13,479 West Virginia children last year and the need for help is overwhelming. This campaign not only raises awareness about West Virginia children who need help or a family to call their own, but provides our organization with a greater ability to make a positive impact on children’s lives.”
OMEGA members participating in the campaign include: Little General Stores Inc., One Stop, Par Mar Oil Co., BFS Foods Inc., Go-Mart Inc., TWJ Inc., R. T. Rogers Oil Co., Petersburg Oil Co., Mini-Giants, DeFazio Oil Co. and the Kanawha City Foodland.
OMEGA has raised more than $2 million dollars since 2003 for charities that improve the health, safety and wellbeing of West Virginia children.
“This effort not only gives back to the communities where our members live and work, but it demonstrates the philanthropic nature of our industry. This is a win for all involved: the children, our members and the public,” White said.