Press Room: Press Releases

Charleston, W.Va. – Senator Jay Rockefeller’s four state offices have been concerned about the increasing needs of local families, as well as the growing needs of charities that are trying to meet the demands of their communities. As a result, the staff in Charleston, Beckley, Fairmont and Martinsburg challenged each other to support their local Salvation Army locations and hope to highlight strains on charitable organizations statewide.

 

“More than any time in recent history, families are facing serious struggles – and those hardships are often felt the most during the holiday season,” Rockefeller said.

 

“Every day we see in the news that more West Virginians than ever before are concerned about their jobs, struggling with health care costs, and being forced to turn to help like food stamps. The economic crisis is impacting families in each corner of our state, and charitable contributions are down all across the country. It’s clear that the needs of both families and the charities that support them are much greater in this troubling economy.”

 

“Families are worried about how to pay their bills and heat their homes, let alone how they’ll put a holiday dinner on the table or gifts under the Christmas tree,” said Rockefeller.

 

Rockefeller’s Charleston office donated children’s winter coats, which is a need the local Salvation Army identified; his Beckley office donated canned goods, as food is an area of great need in that region, and made a direct monetary donation; the Fairmont office also donated money for food; and the Martinsburg office adopted Salvation Army angels. Some Rockefeller staff members also made donations of their time, including helping distribute toys through the Salvation Army.

 

“West Virginia has always been a place where people help each other out, especially in tough times,” Rockefeller said. “Neighbor-helping-neighbor is a way of life here, and that type of generosity has never been more important than it is now. I’m incredibly grateful to all who are spread out across West Virginia reaching out to those in need, not only this holiday season but all year.”

 

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