OUR MISSION
United Way mobilizes our community to action so all can thrive.
LEADERSHIP MESSAGE
As Board Chair, I am proud to reflect on a year defined by partnership, perseverance, and purpose. Across Marion, Randolph, Taylor, Barbour, and Tucker counties, Tygart Valley United Way continues to mobilize our community to action so all can thrive.
Every contribution to our United Way represents hope in action. It means a family connected to essential resources, a student supported beyond the classroom, a neighbor receiving help in a time of need. These moments of impact are only possible because of a community that believes in working together to create opportunity for all.
As we look ahead, I am inspired by the thoughtful planning and collaboration underway to shape the next chapter of our work. By listening, engaging, and leaning into innovation, we are positioning Tygart Valley United Way to deepen its impact and respond boldly to the evolving needs of our region.
Thank you for your continued partnership and belief in this mission. Together, we are building a stronger future.
United is the Way.
Christina Gouzd
Board Chair
This year challenged us to reflect, adapt, and lead with purpose.
Across our five-county region, I have witnessed the power of what happens when a community comes together. Because of you, families were connected to help through 211. Neighbors received free tax preparation and critical resources. Volunteers stepped forward. Partners leaned in. Lives were changed.
At the same time, we know our region is changing. Needs are growing. Systems are shifting. That is why we have launched our Thriving Community planning process — to listen, to engage, and to define clear goals that will guide our work into the future. We are committed to evolving so that our impact remains strong and measurable for years to come.
I am deeply grateful for your belief in this mission and your partnership in this work. Together, we are not just meeting today’s challenges — we are building a stronger tomorrow.
United is the Way.
Brett White
Chief Executive Officer
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LEADERSHIP, DONORS, AND CORPORATE PARTNERS
Tygart Valley United Way is proud to work with all its donors, partners, and volunteers whose contributions make a positive impact in our community.
Adams Office Supply
Alasky's, Inc.
Allstar Ecology
Barbour County Commission
Bennett & Dobbins PLLC
Bright Funds Foundation
Carpenter & Ford Funeral Home
City National Bank
Cvechko Insurance Services
Davis Trust Company
Elevate Physical Therapy
Enersystems, Inc.
EQT Foundation
Equitable
Fairmont Eye Care
Fairmont Federal Credit Union
First Exchange Bank
First Presbyterian Church
Ford Funeral Home Inc
Funkhouser and Smith PLLC
Grafton Rotary Club
Harry Green Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Highmark West Virginia
Huntington Bank
J.F. Allen Company
Jodie Parrack State Farm
Keystone Realty
Kokosing
Kroger
K.T. Bright CPA
Manchin Injury Law Group
Marion County AFL-CIO
Marion County Commission
Master Service Corporation
MC Blankenship DDS
MegaCorp Logistics
Mon Power - First Energy
Mountain Valley Bank
Movement Mortgage
Omni Associates Architects
Performance Chevrolet
Propst Realty
Rotary Club of South Fairmont
Taylor County Commission
Tomblyn Funeral Home
Truist Bank
United Mine Workers District 31
Kristie Vandevander, CPA
Walmart
WCO Flooring America
WesBanco Bank
Wilson Lumber Company
Wine for Humanity
WVU Medicine
XTO Energy, Inc.
City of Fairmont
City National Bank
Clear Mountain Bank
Combined Federal Campaign
Davis & Elkins College
Davis Trust Company
Disability Action Center
Elkins Rehabilitation and Care Center
Equitable/AXA
Fairmont Federal Credit Union
Fairmont Senior High School
Fairmont State University
Family Services of Marion & Harrison
First Exchange Bank
Harry Green Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Hero’s Haven Child Advocacy Center
HOPE Inc.
Homestead Farm Center
Huntington Bank
Literacy Volunteers of Marion County
Marion County Child Advocacy Center
Marion County Senior Center
Mon Health- Marion Neighborhood Hospital
Mon Power- First Energy
Mountain Valley Bank
MVB Bank
ND Paper
Pierpont Community & Technical College
Randolph County Senior Center
Randolph-Tucker Child Advocacy Center
Scouting America- Mountaineer Area Council
Stepping Stone
Tygart Valley United Way
Town of White Hall
Truist Bank
WesBanco
Wilson Lumber
WV High Tech Foundation
WVU Medicine- Fairmont Medical Center
Toqueville
$10,000 +
Estate of Gleason and Jean Kuhn
Tony and Devanna Corley
Patrick R. Corsi
1 Anonymous
Pioneer
$5,000 - $9,999
Mike, Alysia, and Emme Davis
William and Lois Laughlin
Larry and Lisa Pack
Karolyn Smith
1 Anonymous
Visionary
$3,000 - $4,999
Sidney and Roberta Absher
Joyce B. Allen
Amy Schumacher
Kevin and Donna Wilfong
Aaron and Tiffany Yanuzo
1 Anonymous
Pillar
$2,500 - $2,999
Dr. & Mrs. Stanard and Linda Swihart
Brett J. White
1 Anonymous
Champion
$2,000 - $2,499
Christy and Chip Miller
Melanie Thompson
Tim and Hanna Turner
Dixie L. Yann
Partner
$1,500 - $1,999
Kevin Gessler and Amy Skeens
Gary and Linda Jack
Charles Mullett
Mary Jo Thomas
2 Anonymous
Leader
$1,000 - $1,499
Matt and Catie Blankenship Snyder
Phil and Rebecca Burton
Jim and Sabrina Chadwell
Abby D. Chapman
Ryan Courtney
Cindy Dickey
Arden and Anna Fisher
Christina and John Gouzd
Steve and Jean Jory
Blaire and Josh Wise
Doug and Donna Nuzum
Jessie Sharps
Harry and Judith Smith
Julie and Robert Sole
Allen and Pat Staggers
Kristie Stalnaker
Brad Summers Jr.
Amy Jo Wallingford
Barbara Wiemer
Steven T. and Rhonda K. Wilson
5 Anonymous
Advocate
$500 - $999
Rebecca Ashcraft
Cindy L. Bajus
Allen and Gillian Bedford
Mike and Donna Bell
Johanna and Scott Biola
Travis Blosser
Jeanie and Robert Brenneman
Andrew Cain
Caroline Carlot
Jeff and Heather Collins
Warren and Judy Compton
Jason Ward Corbin
Angela and Darian Daniels
Dani and Greg DeVito
Jill E. Eleyette
Amie and Gary Fazalare
Casey Gilbert and Jacob Ortiz
David and Noel Goldberg
Scott Hanson
Kathryn R Higbee
George and Debra Hudak
Jodi Kelly
David and Abigail Kirk
Terry Kirk
Brenda J. Kline
Kayleigh Kyle
Mike and Elizabeth Lawson
George and Candace Levitsky
Bruce and Thelma McDaniel
Debby and Jay Michalski
Rebecca Miller
Debbie Mitchell
Amanda Moore
Cari Morgan
Pam and Jim Nolan
David and JoAnn Nuzum
Jayme and Aaron Payton
George H. Perich
Susan C. Pifer
Robert Rector Trust
Julie L. Reneau
Susan and Steve Rodriguez
Lori Schoonmaker
Tina and Dave Shaw
Jacob Slivka
Kelly Smith
Patrick and Amy Snively
Troy Snyder
Joe and Courtney Solberg
Tara and Jim Stevens
Shae Strait
Deborah Struth
Heather Summers
Ongun Taskin
Nancy L. Vandergrift
Kim Ann Wright
Philip M. Wright
7 Anonymous
2025 Senator Society Inductees
The Senator Society, which recognizes those leadership giving members that make single or cumulative gifts of $10,000 or more, was founded in honor of the eight West Virginians from the Tygart Valley region that have served in the United States Senate.
Ruth L. Brooks
Mike, Alysia, and Emme Davis
Ongun Taskin
Aaron and Tiffany Yanuzo
YOUTH
OPPORTUNITY
Disability Action Center
Education and Enrichment Programs
Homestead Farm Center
The RURAL Program
Literacy Volunteers
Adult & Child Tutoring Program
Marion County FRN
Education Matters
Family Essential Needs Pantry
Scouting America
Leadership Development & Character Education
Stepping Stone
Educate to Elevate
Ready to Work
Taylor Co. Family Resources
Early Childhood Intervention
YWCA
YWCA Y-Teens
HEALTHY
COMMUNITY
CASA of Marion County
CASA of Marion County
Family Service
In Home Care
Counseling
Hero’s Haven Child Advocacy Center
Child Forensic Interview & Family Advocacy
Marion County Child Advocacy Center
Child Advocacy Center
Milan Puskar Health Right
Friendship Fairmont
On Eagles' Wings
Therapeutic Horsemanship
Randolph-Tucker Children's Advocacy Center
Children's Advocacy Center
Randolph County FRN
Randolph County Baby Pantry
West Virginia Caring
Bereavement
FINANCIAL
SECURITY
Catholic Charities
Elkins Client Support
Connecting Link
Emergency Assistance
Heart and Hand House
Summer Feeding
Mannington Food Pantry
Food Pantry and Clothes Closet
Meals on Wheels of Randolph County
Feeding Our Seniors
Randolph County Humane Society
Randolph County Humane Society
Randolph County Senior Center
Senior Nutrition
Salvation Army
Social Services
Sobrania/ Soup Opera
Soup Opera
Tyrand Ministries
Food Pantry
COMMUNITY
RESILIENCY
American Red Cross
Disaster Cycle Services
Hope, Inc.
Prevention Education
Shelter and Health Services
NCWVCAA Randolph
Randolph County Homeless Shelter
NCWVCAA Scott Place Shelter
Bed Bug Treatment
Move-In Kits
211
Over the past year, West Virginia 211 at Tygart Valley United Way has continued to serve as a vital connection point for individuals and families across our region who need help navigating life’s challenges. Through a simple call, text, or online search, our trained specialists connect residents with essential services such as food assistance, housing resources, utility support, healthcare, and more. In a time when many working families are struggling to make ends meet, 211 ensures that help is accessible, confidential, and available when it is needed most.
In the past year alone, 4,363 connections were made through our 211 program, helping individuals find the resources and support they need to stabilize their lives. Our team also assisted with 59 Dollar Energy Fund applications, helping local households secure assistance with critical utility expenses. In addition, $3,491 was distributed directly to ALICE households (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), providing targeted support to hardworking families who often fall through the cracks of traditional assistance programs.
Beyond responding to calls for help, our team has also worked proactively in the community to ensure people know where to turn when challenges arise. Over the past year, 211 participated in 19 community outreach events, connecting with residents, partners, and service providers to raise awareness about available resources. As we continue our mission to mobilize our community to action so all can thrive, WV 211 remains a cornerstone of our work to strengthen community resiliency and ensure that no one has to navigate hardship alone.
4,363
Connections Made
59
Dollar Energy Fund Applications
$3,491
Distributed to ALICE families
19
Community Outreach Events
$116,707
Raised for Response
426
Nights of Shelter Provided
1,577
Individuals Received Supplies
56
Homeowners Provided Financial Assistance
Flood Response
In the wake of the devastating Father’s Day Flood, Tygart Valley United Way stepped forward to help coordinate community response efforts and support our neighbors during a time of urgent need. Working alongside nonprofit partners, local government, volunteers, and donors, we helped mobilize resources and organize assistance for individuals and families affected by the disaster. The outpouring of generosity from our community demonstrated the power of people coming together to help one another during difficult moments.
Thanks to that support, $116,707 was raised to assist with flood response and recovery efforts. These resources helped provide immediate relief and stabilization for families who lost homes, belongings, and basic necessities. Through coordinated efforts with partner organizations, 426 nights of shelter were provided to displaced residents, ensuring families had a safe place to stay while beginning the long process of recovery.
Beyond shelter, the response focused on meeting urgent everyday needs and helping families begin rebuilding their lives. 1,577 individuals received essential supplies, including food, hygiene items, and household necessities. In addition, 56 homeowners received direct financial assistance to help with recovery costs and repairs. While the road to full recovery takes time, the coordinated response demonstrated the strength and compassion of our community and reinforced United Way’s role as a trusted community leader in times of crisis.
United for Kids
The United for Kids Collection continues to be a powerful example of how our community comes together to support local students and ensure they have the essentials they need to learn, grow, and succeed. Through this initiative, Tygart Valley United Way partners with schools, businesses, and community organizations across the region to collect and distribute critical items that help remove barriers to learning for children and families.
Over the past year, the program saw strong engagement from supporters throughout our service area. 395 purchases were made through our Amazon wish lists, making it easy for community members to directly support the needs identified by local schools. In total, 2,280 individual items were delivered to classrooms and student support programs, providing supplies that help students stay prepared, confident, and ready to focus on their education.
This effort would not be possible without the collaboration of our partners. Thirty-four partners across the region joined in the effort to collect and distribute items, helping ensure resources reached where they were needed most. As a result, 50 schools received supplies through the United for Kids Collection, strengthening our shared commitment to supporting youth opportunity and helping every child in our region thrive.
395
Purchases made through Amazon
34
Partners Across Region
2,280
Individual Items Delivered
50
Schools Received Items
$1,008,627
Returned in Refunds
$450,100+
Saved in Filing Fees
$213,743
In Earned Income Credits
20
Counties Served
VITA
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program continues to provide a critical service to individuals and families across our region by offering free, reliable tax preparation. Through the leadership of Tygart Valley United Way and the dedication of trained volunteers and community partners, the program helps hardworking households keep more of what they earn while ensuring returns are filed accurately and on time. For many families, this service provides both immediate financial relief and greater financial stability.
This past year, the VITA program generated a significant impact for local households. A total of $1,008,627 in tax refunds was returned to families throughout the region, providing resources that help pay bills, reduce debt, and support household needs. In addition, families saved more than $450,100 in tax preparation fees by using the free VITA service instead of paid preparers, ensuring those dollars stayed in the pockets of local residents.
The program also helped families access important tax credits designed to support working households. Through VITA assistance, $213,743 in Earned Income Tax Credits were secured for eligible taxpayers. With services reaching 20 counties across the region, the program continues to expand access to trusted tax preparation and strengthen financial security for individuals and families throughout North Central West Virginia.
$541,500
total raised
505
total givers
42
workplace campaigns
$75,000
special events
145
leadership givers
64
corporate gifts
15
Small Business 365
The Tygart Valley United Way gathered with friends and volunteers at their annual campaign luncheon on February 19, 2026 at the Robert Mollohan Research Center in Fairmont. This event, which was the conclusion of the 2026 community campaign, marked the finish with $541,500 raised to help support our local community. The amount raised is 90% of their fundraising goal, making this year the first time in 20 years that the agency hasn’t met it’s community goal.
Over 505 individual donors participated in the annual fundraising drive with over 145 leadership gifts of $500 or more. 
Representatives celebrated another successful year of partnership with the Rotary Club of South Fairmont for the 18th annual Celebration of Lights. The event raised $75,000 again this year. 64 businesses provided corporate gifts. 15 small businesses joined the Small Business 365 Circle and a total of 42 workplaces ran employee campaigns.
“We are incredibly grateful for every person and partner who invested in this year’s campaign. While we did not reach our goal for the first time in two decades, this moment is also an opportunity,” commented Brett White, United Way CEO. “It challenges us to listen, adapt, and evolve so we can continue meeting the needs of our community in meaningful and measurable ways.”
Gleason & Jean Kuhn Growth Award
City of Fairmont
Outstanding Funded Partner Campaign
Scouting America
Outstanding Employee Coordinator
David Kirk- City of Fairmont
Campaign Cornerstone
WVU Medicine- Fairmont
Corporate Volunteerism
Fairmont State University
United for Impact Award
Fairmont/Marion Transit Authority
Harry Green Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Performance Chevrolet
Spirit of the Tygart Award
Christy Hines
Gary Clay Advocate of the Year
Christina Gouzd
Great Beginnings Award
Clear Mountain Bank
LIVE UNITED Award
Christ Episcopal Church
Rev. Donal “Jack” Squires Award
Aaron Yanuzo
Best of the Best Award
Harry Green Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Corporate Investment Awards
Bronze ($1,000 - $2,499)
Adams Office Supply
Barbour County Commission
Bennett and Dobbins PLLC
Davis Trust Company
Fairmont Eye Care
First Exchange Bank
First Presbyterian Church
Movement Mortgage
Tomblyn Funeral Home
Silver ($2,500 - $4,999)
Fairmont Federal Credit Union
Highmark West Virginia
Performance Chevrolet
Taylor County Commission
WesBanco Bank
Gold ($5,000 - $14,999)
EQT Foundation
Harry Green Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Huntington Bank
J.F. Allen Company
Marion County Commission
Mon Power/First Energy
WVU Medicine
XTO Energy
Platinum ($15,000 - $24,999)
MegaCorp Logistics
Diamond ($25,000 +)
Christ Episcopal Church
Statement of Financial Position
(Year Ending December 31, 2025)*
Statement of Activities
(Year Ending December 31, 2025)*
Premier
Signature
Spotlight
Partner
Christina Gouzd
Keystone Realty
Chair
Blaire Nuzum-Wise
TRC Companies
Vice Chair
Rebecca Miller
ND Paper
Secretary
Jennifer Wade
Conley CPA
Treasurer
Kristie Vandevander
Kristie Vandevander CPA
Assistant Treasurer
Cindy Bajus
Fairmont Federal Credit Union
Michael Bell
Mike Bell & Associates LLC
Travis Blosser
City of Fairmont
David Cooper
Tucker Community Foundation
Michael Davis
Fairmont State University
Joey Garcia
Garcia Law Office
Kate Garlick
Davis & Elkins College
Kevin Gessler
Vandalia Health
Erik Green
Harry Green
Donna Heston
Marion County Schools
Christy Hines
Performance Chevrolet
Jessica Mayle
Freedom Bank
Debby Michalski
United Security Agency
Christine Miller
Upshur County Schools
Jim Myers
Mon Power/First Energy
George Perich
Pierpont Community & Technical College
Rhonda Robinson
House Hunters Real Estate
Eric Ruf
Barbour Community Health Assoc
Amy Schumacher
Movement Mortgage
Chuck Shields
Fairmont State University
Melanie Thompson
Huntington Banks
Karrah Washington
Randolph Elkins Chamber of Commerce
Katie Willard
Social Bee Marketing Agency
Aaron Yanuzo
WVU Medicine
Executive
Christina Gouzd- Chair
Blaire Nuzum-Wise
Rebecca Miller
Jennifer Wade
Mike Bell
Kevin Gessler
Debby Michalski
Chuck Shields
Amy Schumacher
Aaron Yanuzo
Finance
Jennifer Wade - Chair
Jim Chadwell
Taylor Downs
Kevin Gessler
Gary Jack
Christina Gouzd
Melanie Thompson
Kristie Vandevander
Nominating
Mike Bell - Chair
Travis Blosser
Michael Davis
Blaire Nuzum-Wise
Christine Miller
Mike Davis
Community Review
Aaron Yanuzo - Chair
Amy Schumacher - Vice Chair
Cindy Bajus
Mike Bell
Anne Berlin
Heidi Bray
Jeanie Brenneman
Mariah Cunningham
Shaela Duckworth
Emily Garcia
Kate Garlick
Christina Gouzd
Carly O'Dell Jones
Latora Keigley-Harker
Allan Keener
Debby Michalski
Julia Miller
Mary Ann Mullenax
Jayme Payton
Eric Ruf
Chris Sharps
Joe Solberg
Ben Stewart
Melanie Thompson
Personnel
Chuck Shields - Chair
George Perich
Jessica Mayle
Amy Schumacher
Governance
Debby Michalski - Chair
Donna Heston
Jim Myers
Eric Ruf
Joey Garcia