HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — United Way of the River Cities has officially launched its 2026 Annual Campaign, Opportunity Starts Here, calling on individuals, businesses and organizations across the region to come together to help create stronger, more resilient communities.
The campaign kicked off Saturday with Tools for Teachers at the Huntington Mall, a community-wide effort that provided about 3oo local educators with free classroom supplies as they prepare for the new school year. The event offered an immediate example of what the campaign theme represents: when communities work together to remove barriers and provide resources, opportunity can start right here at home.
“Opportunity doesn’t happen by chance. It happens when a community chooses to invest in its people,” said Jedd Flowers, CEO and Executive Director of United Way of the River Cities. “Whether it’s helping a student walk into the classroom ready to learn, connecting a family with critical resources or helping someone build a path toward financial stability, every gift to United Way helps create opportunities for our neighbors.”
United Way of the River Cities serves Cabell, Lincoln, Mason and Wayne counties in West Virginia and Gallia and Lawrence counties in Ohio, working alongside nonprofits, businesses, volunteers and community leaders to address some of the region’s most pressing challenges.
Last year’s annual campaign helped United Way invest more than $511,000 in 25 nonprofit programs across its six-county service area. Those investments supported organizations working every day to improve health, expand opportunities for young people, strengthen financial security and build community resiliency.
But the annual campaign is about more than funding individual programs. Through its initiatives and partnerships, United Way works to bring people together around shared challenges and create solutions that can make a lasting difference.
Opportunity Starts Here reflects a simple idea: Everyone deserves the chance to thrive, and everyone has a role to play in making that possible.
Local businesses and organizations can be part of the campaign by hosting a United Way workplace campaign, giving employees an easy way to learn about local needs and support solutions through payroll deduction or other giving opportunities. Workplace campaigns can be customized to fit businesses and organizations of any size.
Businesses interested in hosting a workplace campaign or learning more are encouraged to contact Jonathan Nance, Senior Director of Resource Development and Partnerships, at Jonathan.nance@unitedwayrivercities.org
Individuals can also participate directly by making a one-time or recurring gift at unitedwayrivercities.org/donate
“When you give to United Way, your gift becomes part of something bigger,” Flowers said. “It joins the generosity of people and businesses throughout our region to create opportunities that can change lives. Opportunity starts with all of us.”
