United Way of the River Cities (UWRC) has announced the recipients of the 2025 Big Cover Up awards. This annual student-led effort is in its 24th year and provides warm winter clothing, food and hygiene items to classmates and families in need.
This year, 20 projects were funded at $1,000 each, thanks to sponsors Marathon Petroleum, AEP Ohio, Armstrong and United Way donors.
“The Big Cover Up encourages students to recognize and respond to the needs of their peers who may not have warm clothing or personal care items,” said Steve Cline, UWRC’s director of community impact. “By leading these projects, students gain an understanding of their community needs and learn the value of taking action to support others. We are thrilled to offer this grant to 20 schools across our service area, giving students the opportunity to make a lasting difference where they live and learn.”
The Big Cover Up started 24 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.
“What makes the Big Cover Up truly special is that it’s driven by students who want to make a real difference in their community,” said Jedd Flowers, executive director of UWRC. “This grant empowers young people to lead with compassion by collecting winter gear, organizing distribution and ensuring families stay warm. We’re incredibly proud of their initiative and grateful for the support that helps turn their service into lasting impact.”
2025 Recipients of Big Cover Up Grants:
CABELL COUNTY
- 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;
- South Point Middle School Impact Prevention: Provide winer clothing, personal hygiene items and a toy to students in the middle school.
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 winter clothing to students in the district.
LINCOLN COUNTY
- Guyan Valley Middle School Wildcat Services CTE: Provide winter clothing to the school’s pantry.
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 Beta Club: Provide winter clothing for students in need;
- Buffalo Middle School National Junior Honor Society: Providing essential items including food items for school pantry and blessings box;
- Pritchard Elementary Safety Patrol: Providing nonperishable foods for the school pantry and blessing box;
- Wayne High School Communities in School and JROTC: Providing food boxes and coats or boots from Angel Tree.
