United Way of the River Cities (UWRC) has announced the recipients of the 2024 Big Cover Up awards. These annual student-led projects provide warm winter clothing, food and hygiene items to classmates and families in need.
This year, 17 projects were funded, with schools representing each county of UWRC’s six-county service area. Thanks to sponsors Advantage Toyota and the Toyota Dealer Match Program, along with Johnson & Johnson, and Randy and Ashley Saunders, each project will be funded at $1,529.41 for a total of $26,000 to help the community this winter.
“The goal of the Big Cover Up is for a student-led initiative to help meet the needs of students in our area that do not have warm clothes or personal care items,” said Steve Cline, UWRC’s director of community impact. “The student led projects help them understand the needs of their communities and allows them to take an active role in meeting those needs. We are excited to help bring this grant to 17 schools across our service area and help the students take an active role in addressing the needs of their communities.”
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.
“Many of these projects have been ongoing for years and we are so proud of these student groups for taking the lead in making sure their fellow classmates are prepared for the winter ahead,” said Jedd Flowers, UWRC’s executive director. “We’d also like to thank our sponsors for their annual generosity, as we would not be able to fund these projects without their support.”
2024 Recipients of Big Cover Up Grants:
CABELL COUNTY
- Cabell Midland High School Key Club: Providing winter clothing for students at Culloden, Cox Landing and Milton elementary schools, as well as Harmony House;
- Huntington High School Student Council: Providing clothing and personal hygiene items to students at Spring Hill and Central City elementary schools.
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 Gifted Students: Provide winter clothing to elementary students in the district.
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 Business Program Students: Provide career clothing and toiletry items to career center students;
- Wahama Junior/Senior High School Heart of Appalachia Talent Search and Future Business Leaders of America: Provide food baskets and clothing to students in the district.
LINCOLN COUNTY
- Guyan Valley Middle School Wildcat Services CTE: Provide clothing and hygiene items to students in the school.
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 Beta and CIS Students: Distributing holiday meal boxes to students and families in need at the middle school;
- Lavalette Elementary School Kindness Squad: Purchase items from Angel Tree for elementary students.
For more information on how your school can participate in the Big Cover Up in 2025, contact Steve.Cline@unitedwayrivercities.org.
About United Way of the River Cities
The mission of United Way of the River Cities is to connect our community with resources to reduce poverty and improve lives. We bring a comprehensive approach to every challenge, actively listening and responding to local needs. We address the community’s most pressing needs in four impact areas, health, education, financial stability and basic needs. Together, we’re helping mobilizing communities to action by convening coalitions, funding nonprofit partners and internal initiatives and by measuring results.
