The Falcon Center on the campus of Fairmont State University served as the location for the United Way’s annual Leadership Breakfast on Thursday, August 14th from 8:00am – 9:30am. Over 125 local business and community leaders from the Tygart Valley region joined the United Way staff to have breakfast and to hear about this year’s region-wide United Way campaign.
This breakfast is an annual summer event that precedes the kick-off of the fall United Way Campaign. It is hosted by Fairmont State University. Guests were welcomed by Fairmont State President Michael Davis.
Bringing together those in a position to affect the direction and future of our region, the Leadership Breakfast allows the United Way to present an overview of community needs and the role that businesses and individuals can fill in meeting those needs.
The Tygart Valley United Way covers Marion, Randolph, Taylor, Barbour, and Tucker counties. Attendees also took part in a poverty simulation to learn about ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed) individuals.
They also received an advance look at the 2026 Campaign that will kick-off on September 2nd. The campaign has a goal of $605,000.
Brett White, Chief Executive Officer, unveiled the media partners and the 2026 campaign theme, “United is the Way” and led the first viewing of the new materials that will be used this fall.
The dollars raised through the annual United Way fundraising campaign provides funding to support 42 programs at 30 local health and human service agencies in the Tygart Valley region.