Be the change you wish to see!

 

Big Creek People In Action, Inc. was founded in 1990 by citizens of McDowell County, West Virginia. Since that time, this nonprofit organization has been serving the community of McDowell County in the realms of education and literacy, leadership development, volunteer service, service learning, arts and culture, housing, recreation, and collaborative partnerships. BCPIA's vision of McDowell County is one of empowered and self-sufficient people living in communities that are economically vibrant, democratic, and socially just. To learn more about the history of Big Creek People in Action,  please Click Here!

 

     “Volunteers don't get paid, not because they're worthless,

 

                                    but because they're priceless” 

                                                   (Sherry Anderson)

 

 

We are blessed with many volunteers that come to our Center to make a difference in people’s lives.  In the past few months, we have had groups from several colleges including St. Mary’s University, Loyola University Chicago, Southeast Missouri, George Washington University, Tusculum College, Centre College, University of Notre Dame, Union College and Ithaca College.

 

Church groups that have been here or will be here this summer include Hope Force, Upshur Helping Hands, Sidwell Friends, Mercy Home, Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Convent Baptist Church, Lexington Baptist Church, Red Bank Baptist Church, York Pennsylvania Christ Church, and Unitarian Church-Roanoke.

 

In addition to the funding we receive from the groups for work projects, we also received funding from Equitable Resources Foundation and from Americans Helping Americans to help us serve more families in need of housing rehabilitation.

 

In addition to housing rehab, our groups are also involved with service learning opportunities and youth education.  While the volunteers are accomplishing a much-needed service, they also are introduced to our Appalachian culture.

 

 

                                              NEW STAFF POSITION

 

Through the support from Work Force West Virginia’s Employment Subsidy Program, Big Creek People in Action was able to hire Laura Crabtree as our Receptionist in May.  Laura had worked here under the Department of Health and Human Resources volunteer program and was such a good worker, she was chosen to participate in this new program. 

     18^th Annual Mountain Music Festival Held in McDowell County

 

 

Talented musicians filled the stage as Big Creek People In Action held their 18^th Annual Mountain Music Festival on Saturday, June 5.  This annual event, held at the Caretta Community Center, draws hundreds of people from several different states each year to hear the traditional sounds of Appalachian music from performers like Ramblin’ Grass and more upbeat country by Brock Whitt, Joe Ford, and Charles Thomas.

 Two newcomers to this year’s festival were Mountain Thyme and Glen Shelton. Mountain Thyme is an all-women musical ensemble from West Virginia. The group performs folk songs and tunes in a musical style that is often described as Appalachian Celtic. Glen Shelton, the main act for the festival, has shared the stage with many well-known recording artists such as Randy Travis, Lonestar, Leanne Womak, Ricky Van Shelton, and others. He won the Colgate Country Showdown in 2002. Glen’s first national radio release was a self-written Top 40 hit on the country charts in 2004. His latest album includes two Top 10 songs which were on the nationwide Christian Country Top 100 in 2009. Glen is also an ICM (International Country Music) Artist of the Year nominee and International Country Gospel Music Association Male Horizon and Crossover Artist Nominee.

The 18^th Annual Mountain Music Festival, themed “Country In The County”, began at 3:00 PM with local gospel talents Kay Christian and Jean Beavers. Jean writes her own songs and performs locally at many events and churches accompanied by Kay. Charles Thomas, a favorite from Gilbert, WV entertained the crowd with a mixture of rock and country from 3:30-4:30. At 4:30, we introduced musical guests, Mountain Thyme, to McDowell County for the first time. Joe Ford, always a favorite with his laid-back style of country and rock, took the stage at 6:00 PM followed by the flat-footin’ sounds of ever-popular Ramblin’ Grass from 7:00-8:30 PM. On the stage at 8:30 PM, Southern WV’s own Brock Whitt had the crowd up moving while performing many rock and country tunes. Headlining the festival, Glen Shelton took the stage from 9:30-11:00 PM with some of the most popular Top 10 Country Chart songs today.

There were sounds sure to please everyone at this year’s festival, along with twenty-five cent carnival games, great food, many doorprizes and a variety of other activities. Admission is always free so the whole family can come for an evening of singing, dancing, and a great time in a family-friendly atmosphere.

Plan to attend next year’s festival the first Saturday in June!

 

           Local Moms Attend Community Baby Shower at the Caretta    

                                                          Community Center

 

Big Creek People In Action held an informational fair for expectant moms and mothers with children up to age 5 on Tuesday, May 18 at the Caretta Community Center. This event, funded and sponsored in part by Unicare Health Plan of West Virginia, drew in over seventy-five people.

 

As part of the program, WVU Extension held a nutrition workshop and many local organizations gave valuable information to the mothers. Those attending were: SAFE, WIC, Tug River Health Center Maternal Infant Health Program, Southern Coalfield Tobacco Coalition, DHHR, UniCare, Coalfield Community Action Partnership, and War Public Library. Each program offers services in McDowell County and had information beneficial to new moms.

 

The purpose of the event was to insure that mothers know these programs and others exist and to have a positive impact on the choices the new mothers make regarding their children. Another aspect of the event focused on direct needs of each infant or toddler. Parents had specific wish lists which included items such as crib beds, car seats, high chairs, etc.  Annetta Tiller, organizer for the event, talked personally with parents about car seat safety. She is quoted as saying, “Purchasing the car seats for infants and toddlers was a main goal for this event. We want the children to be riding as safely as possible on our roadways. Many times, car seats will be handed from one child to the next. Sometimes recalls are made on these seats and it gets overlooked. We wanted to ensure that the moms attending had their child in a new, safety approved seat if at all possible”

 

In addition to the larger items, parents also received diapers, blankets and/or comforter sets, baby hygiene items, bottles, and many other items donated by Americans Helping Americans and Christian Appalachian Projects. Both organizations play an important part in providing in-kind support to Big Creek People in Action each year with product donations.

 

Both Unicare and Cliffs Natural Resources Foundation made considerable donations to purchase twenty-eight car seats, two crib beds, five high chairs, countless digital thermometers, and many other large items. Funders helping to purchase diapers, hygiene, and other items included: Family Dollar Foundation, Bob Payne with Nationwide Insurance, Philip A. Reale Law Offices, and Laney’s Boutique.

 

Cliffs Natural Resources Supports Moms and Babes Fair   Jim Kosowski, a representative for Cliffs Natural Resources  of  the Pineville, WV operations, recently made a trip to Big Creek People In Action to present Annetta Tiller, Special Projects Coordinator,  with a considerable donation. This money went toward the purchase of car safety seats for infants and toddlers in the local area. Cliffs Natural Resources is one of the supporters of this year’s Moms and Babes Fair which served over one hundred children. Items distributed included: carseats, diapers, baby hygiene items, infant and toddler bedding sets, crib beds, and so much more.     “Saluting Those Who Served” Luncheon held at Big Creek People in Action   In observance of Veterans Day, Big Creek People in Action paid tribute to local men and women who have served in the military with a luncheon on Friday, November 13. The event was attended by Congressman Nick Rahall and Delegate Clif Moore. Both gentlemen greeted veterans and gave out certificates as each name was called. Staff at Big Creek People in Action collected pictures, articles, and other memorabilia; including bayonets from WWI, Coalwood newspaper articles and a “Fighting Seabees” uniform from WWII. Staff also transformed the gymnasium into a picture of true patriotism with red, white, and blue displays. One of the highlights of the program was a powerpoint presentation which included pictures of local veterans from Iraq and going back as far as WWI.   Another addition to this year’s program was a visit from the Mobile Vet Center. This mobile van is equipped with an abundance of information for veterans and other services; including counseling and medical consultations. All veterans attending the program visited the Mobile Vet Center and some requested services.