Photo by Joselyn King Traecy Dickerson, center, volunteer manager for Catholic Charities West Virginia, gives direction to Hannah McCardle, left, and Brianna Reiner, both Wheeling University physical therapy students, volunteer during the United Way's "Sand O'Haver Day of Caring" on Wednesday at Catholic Charities 18th Street Center in Wheeling.

WHEELING – The volunteer spirit spread out across the Ohio Valley Wednesday as the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley hosted its 33rd annual Sandy O’Haver Day of Caring.

The day officially kicks off the local United Way’s 2024-25 fundraising campaign, “Raised Here. Stays Here.” More than 200 volunteers representing 22 organizations turned out to assist numerous area nonprofit groups with projects at their properties.

Following a morning breakfast at Wheeling Park’s White Palace, the volunteers dispersed to go to their assigned tasks.

Two of the locations were in East Wheeling at Catholic Charities 18th Street Neighborhood Center and the nearby Laughlin Chapel.

Volunteers were working both outside and inside the Neighborhood Center building to help prepare for the upcoming spaghetti dinner at Catholic Charities on Sept. 22. This is the agency’s largest fundraiser of the year, explained Tracey Dickerson, volunteer manager for Catholic Charities West Virginia.

Volunteers present were from WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital and Wheeling University’s physical therapy program.

Some were doing needed clean-up work to the exterior of the building, picking up trash and weeding. Others were inside working in the kitchen, organizing the pantry, and cutting up rope sausage for the spaghetti. One group was sorting the tickets for the spaghetti fundraiser.

“Is anybody here interested in cutting up 360 pounds of onions?” Dickerson asked them.

Some of the volunteers were assisting with bags of bread needed for the daily distribution of meals by Catholic Charities. The agency serves about 120 meals per day, and assists another 100 people through its food pantry each week, according to Derek Lantz, Neighborhood Center coordinator.

“We’re always looking for help,” he said. “We need quite a bit done outside. The dinner is only about 10 days away and the extra help gets us a jumpstart on everything.”

Assistance from the volunteers at this time “means everything,” Dickerson added

“We couldn’t achieve what we do without the help of our community and volunteers,” she said.

Lisa Werner in her day job is a vice president at WesBanco. She has been volunteering on a regular basis at Catholic Charities for nearly 30 years.

“I came here 26 years ago when a friend asked me to fill in for her on Saturdays when she was away,” Werner explained. “I fell in love, and I never left here.

“I find it very rewarding. It makes my heart happy.”

Werner works in the kitchen, and said she often helps in making scrambled eggs for breakfasts on Saturdays. She has also taught financial literacy classes to those coming to Catholic Charities.

“I have worked in the nonprofit world for 18 years, and I have seen firsthand how thin a lot of nonprofits are stretched,” said Staci Stephen, executive director of the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley. “The Day of Caring helps those agencies tackle some of the jobs and/or projects they have not had the time, funding, or staff to complete. Day of Caring is a great way to bring our community together for a greater purpose and we are excited to visit all the projects, see the great things being accomplished, and witness the giving spirit of those participating.”