United Way of the River Cities (UWRC) has announced the recipients of the 2023 Big Cover Up awards. The Big Cover Up started more than 20 years ago as a way for local schools in UWRC’s service area to apply for a match-based grant to help fund school projects that serve fellow students in need.
This year, sixteen projects were funded, with schools representing each of UWRC’s six-county service areas, which expanded to include Gallia County earlier this year. Thanks to sponsors Advantage Toyota and the Toyota Dealer Match Program, and Randy and Ashley Saunders, each project will be funded at $1,720 for a total of $27,500 to help the community this winter.
“The goal of the Big Cover Up is for a student led initiative to help individuals in their communities meet the need of warm winter clothing or other personal item needs,” said Steve Cline, director of community impact. “The students that complete these projects can learn about the needs in their communities, how to fundraise and how to properly budget for their projects. We are excited to help bring this grant to sixteen schools across our service area and help the students take an active role in addressing the needs of their communities.”
UWRC’s Big Cover Up awarded twice as many grants this year than last, with an increase of more than $12,000 in funding.
“This incredible project would not be possible without the generosity of our sponsors,” said Jedd Flowers, UWRC’s executive director. “They have empowered UWRC to marshal a large-scale effort that will ensure children across the region will stay warm as they enjoy recess or wait for their school buses this winter. We are also grateful for the hard work of the school-based organizations that applied for grants. Their student-led initiatives all work to multiply the funds awarded, extending even further the impact of our sponsors’ gifts.”
The 2023 Recipients of Big Cover Up Grants:
CABELL COUNTY
- Cabell Midland High School Key Club: Providing winter clothing for students at Davis, Salt Rock, and Martha elementary schools;
- Huntington High School Career Exploration Class/Operation Best: Providing winter clothing to Playmates Preschools.
GALLIA COUNTY
- Gallia Academy High School Key Club: Provide winter clothing for students in the school system.
LAWRENCE COUNTY
- Dawson-Bryant Middle/High School Christian Youth Group and Mu Alpha Theta: Providing warm clothing for students in need in the district.
- Fairland High School Beta Club: Provide clothing, shoes, and coats for students at Fairland East and West elementary schools;
- Symmes Valley High School Student Council: Provide clothing for elementary students and hygiene items for families in need in the district;
- South Point High School Student Council/Rho Kappa/Mu Alpha Theta: Provide winter clothing and holiday gifts to local elementary students;
- Ironton High School Freshmen: Provide winter clothing to elementary students.
LINCOLN COUNTY
- Guyan Valley Middle School Student Service CTE: Collect warm winter items and provide items to school’s clothing pantry.
MASON COUNTY
- Hannan High School Heart of Appalachia Talent Search: Provide winter apparel to students in the junior and high schools;
- Mason County Career Center FBLA/Option Pathway Program: Provide career clothing and toiletry items to career center students.
WAYNE COUNTY
- Ceredo-Kenova Middle School Student Council: Provide winter clothing for students in need;
- Spring Valley High School Timberwolves for Christ: Provide winter clothing for students in need;
- Wayne Elementary School Communities in Schools Program: Distributing holiday meal boxes to students and families with children in Wayne County Schools;
- Wayne Middle School Chicken Tenders Agriculture Group/Beta Students: Distributing holiday meal boxes to students and families in need at the middle school;
- Lavalette Elementary School Junior Beta Club: Purchase items from Angel Tree for elementary students.
For more information on how your school can participate in the Big Cover Up, contact Steve.Cline@unitedwayrivercities.org.
