Welcome

 

 

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!

 

 

            

BCPIA SPONSORING 3RD ANNUAL BIG CREEK ALUMNI PROM

 

Big Creek People in Action, Inc. is excited to be sponsoring the 3rd Annual Big Creek Alumni Prom on Saturday, June 9, 2012 from 7:00 pm ‘til midnight at the Big Creek People in Action Center in Caretta. The Prom is open to anyone that graduated from Big Creek High School and their invited guests.  The Big Creek High School Gymnasium in War has been damaged to the extent that it can no longer be used for the Prom.

 

Music will be provided by a DJ, dress is semi-formal, and food and drinks will be served.  Admission is $20.00 for singles and $30.00 for couples.  Graduates of the 1932 through 1945 classes are invited at no charge.

 

You must purchase your tickets in advance so we can plan accordingly.  Our gym will be beautifully decorated and we are hoping each of you will plan to spend the evening with us reminiscing, eating, dancing, and partying with old friends. 

 

We will have a “Chill Room” set up with Big Creek High School memorabilia and yearbooks to look at if you need to take a break from the music.  A photographer will also be available to take photos.  Give Marsha Timpson or Dyanne Spriggs a call at (304) 875-3418 if you have any questions.  Big Creek High School was a wonderful school and we all have many memories of fun times.  Let’s celebrate and keep the “Owl Spirit” alive. 

 

               

                              NEW AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM STARTED

 

To expand our services as a Family Resource Center, Big Creek People in Action began an afterschool program this fall called EXTRA SCHOOL HANGOUT.   Parents can instruct the school bus to let their children off at the Center after school and we provide transportation home.  There have been 28 students signed up for the program so far.

 

Many children in McDowell County, WV come home to an empty house after school.  Reasons can be that the parents work, have appointments, or simply just don’t care what their children are doing.  The issue we want to address is the fact that when children have to take care of themselves, there are more accidents and injuries, behavior problems, and lower academic achievement.  Big Creek People in Action, Inc. has created an afterschool program that is safe, healthy, enriching, and enhances young people’s social, emotional, physical, and academic success.

 

Our afterschool program is from 4 – 7 pm four days a week.  Kids get off the school bus at our Center, and if necessary, we provide them transportation home.   The children are around caring adults in a warm and safe atmosphere and are fed a nutritious supper.  The program offers homework support, crafts, exercise, computer time, learning activities, and recreational time to improve their physical and mental health.   They have the opportunity to form close bonds with other children and have more positive relationships with their peers. 

The only hot meals many of the children in our area receive are the ones they receive at school.  When they attend our afterschool program, they get to eat a healthy supper with foods from all of the food groups so they don’t have to go to bed hungry at night.  The actual rate for Free & Reduced lunches at our area school is 89%, but we are part of a pilot program where 100% of our students get to eat free meals at school.  A hungry child is not able to concentrate and perform up to their potential at school.

 

We collaborate with our local Department of Health and Human Resources by having them refer families to us who are at risk of child abuse or neglect.  We offer these families our services through our afterschool program to get the children out of the house to reduce family stress.

The goals we have set for our Afterschool program are: 

 

·         To provide a safe, culturally diverse, and a positive atmosphere to the students.

·         To promote pro-social behaviors that will lead to improvement in the participants’ self-concept and provide numerous opportunities for their academic, social, and personal growth.

·         To provide students with supplemental academic activities.

·         To provide opportunities for students to develop physically.

·         To provide a nutritious meal.

·         To increase computer skills.

·         To promote family and community involvement.

·         To transport students to and from the Center when necessary.

 

Our program is offered free of charge to all participants.  It is financially supported by the WV Department of Health and Human Resources, May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust, and Max & Victoria Dreyfus Foundation.  We accept any school-age student into our afterschool program, but are targeting those from at-risk families and those who may need extra support in order to succeed.

 

NEW COMPUTER LAB OPEN

 

Through a collaboration with Future Generations Graduate School and the Coalwood Caretta Volunteer Fire Department, Big Creek People in Action has a new 10-station computer lab connected to high-speed internet that has opened in our Center.  It is open to the public Mondays from 9 – 12 noon, Tuesdays from 1 – 4 pm, and Fridays from 4 – 8 pm.  It is also used by our Afterschool Program four days a week and at other times when needed.

 

Courses include Beginning Computer Classes, Advanced Computer Classes, Career Skills, Microsoft Programs, Substance Abuse, Emergency Services, Money Management, Student Support, Digital Photography, and many others.  The classes are taught by the computer program so participants can progress as fast or as slow as they want and learn at their own pace.  Additional courses may be offered if requested.

 

CO-FOUNDER AND LONG-TIME EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PASSES AWAY

 

 

Frances Patton Rutherford, a Co-Founder of Big Creek People in Action and Executive Director from 1999 through 2007 passed away on September 7, 2011.  Franki did a lot for our organization and for this area.  She left BCPIA in 2007 to finish her college degree.

 

A Memorial Service will be held at Ferrum College on Saturday, September 17, 2011 at 3:00 pm.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Big Creek People in Action on Friday, September 30, 2011 at 4:00 pm.

 

Franki was a truly great human being who dedicated her life to helping others.  She will be missed by all that knew and loved her.

 

 

ROOF REPLACED WITH USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT &

NORFOLK SOUTHERN FUNDING

 

In April, 2011, our roof replacement was completed after many years of leaking, patching, and worrying.  We received funding through the USDA Rural Development and from Norfolk Southern for the project.  The job was completed by ABC Contracting of Oceana, WV.  New guttering and rubber roofing was installed and guaranteed not to leak for 20 years!

 

 

RECENT FUNDING AWARDED

 

Big Creek People in Action has been fortunate to receive funding from several foundations, government agencies, and local companies in the past six months including: 

  • WV Development Office for our Youth Program

  • WV Division of History for our Mountain Music Festival

  • USDA Rural Development for our Roof Replacement

  • Appalachian Community Fund for our Youth Program

  • 1st and Ten Foundation for Housing Rehabilitation

  •  American Electric Power for Housing Rehabilitation

  • W. K. Kellogg Foundation for continuation of Youth/Adult Fellowship

  • Americans Helping Americans for Housing Rehab, Christmas Party & In-Kind Donations

  • UniCare for the Moms and Babes Fair

  • Walmart Foundation – Kimball for the Education/Literacy Program

  • Bay Star Coal Company for the Education/Literacy Program

  • Community Connections for the Moms & Babes Fair

BCPIA WAS CHOSEN FOR FUNDING FROM THE WV DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN RESOURCES FOR OUR FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER

 

BCPIA was excited to learn that we were awarded funding from the WV DHHR to expand our services as a Family Resource Center.  New programs that will be started as a result of this grant are an Afterschool Program and a Parenting Program.  These programs are part of the many services and activities we provide to educate as well as provide basic, human needs so that our children and families can become healthy, involved members of society.  Big Creek People in Action offers support services which are intended to strengthen families, improve parenting skills, promote child development, and enhance parental confidence so they can meet their children’s emotional, physical, and developmental needs. 

 

 

BUSY SUMMER WITH WORK GROUPS!!!

 

The Center has been full of busy people this summer coming in to work on housing rehabilitation.  We’ve had over 150 people stay here so far this summer from the following churches:

  • Upshur Helping Hands from Buckhannon, WV

  • Sidwell Friends from Washington, DC

  • Amity United Methodist Church from Chapel Hill, NC

  • SS Peter & Paul Church from Hamburg, NY

  • Red Bank Baptist Church from Lexington, SC

  • Convent Baptist Church from Lexington, SC

  • South Lexington Baptist Church from Lexington, SC

  • Christ United Methodist Church from York, PA

  • Unitarian Universalist Church from Roanoke, VA

McDowell County, WV has the lowest standard of housing in the state.  Volunteer groups work with our staff to provide safe, warm, and dry homes to community residents.  Jobs include painting, installing handicapped ramps, vinyl siding, window replacements, replacing floors, and many other repairs. 

                          

 

                                        The Healthy Lifestyles Program

 

The Healthy Lifestyles Program, began October 2010, addresses the issues of proper nutrition, obesity, sedentary lifestyles, and a host of other topics. By engaging youth and adults in workshops, exercise programs, and a wide variety of classes, we have educated on topics such as: nutrition, drug abuse, diabetes, breast health, smoking, healthy relationships, family violence, and more. Local youth participate in the "Wii Are Fit" Program, held twice a week, where they exercise along with popular video games, enjoy tasting (and sometimes cooking) new and healthy foods, and also participate in other workshops geared toward a "Healthy Lifestyle".  Zumba classes are also taught at the center two times per week by a licenced instructor-Katie Linkous. For more information about the "Healthy Lifestyles" Program, please contact Annetta Tiller.

 

BIG CREEK PEOPLE IN ACTION’S 19TH ANNUAL MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL

KICKIN’ IT UP IN THE COUNTY

BY:  MARIA FRAZIER

 

 

    Time to get those boots “spit & polished” for Caretta’s annual Mountain Music Festival hoe-down!  Once again we are bringing you some rip-roaring entertainment.  Great musicians, carnival games and the best concession stand around.  Dance, play some games, eat, and dance some more!!  Everywhere you turn, you are in for some fun - - old-fashioned carnival games outside, home cooked food inside and dancing everywhere!

     The festival, held at the Caretta Community Center, is an event this community has come to look forward to.  Caretta School will be having their reunion the same day as our festival and the attendees tour our old school building and enjoy our festival with their family and friends, so we have people from all over the state and all over the country joining us for this fun-filled day.

     The 19th Mountain Music Festival, themed “Kickin’ It Up In The County” will begin at 2:00 pm and Rachel Fontaine, a very talented gospel singer will be our first performer.  Rachael has graced the stage here at Caretta many times over the years, and just gets better and better.  She has CD’s she has recorded that will be available for purchase after her performance.  I have long been a fan of Rachael’s and, I must say, she has one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard.  You will definitely not want to miss her lifting her voice to the Heavens.

     Patricia Smith, a gospel singer from Princeton, will take the stage at 2:25 pm.  Patricia was one of the original performers in the beginning years of our Mountain Music Festivals.  Patricia called Caretta Community Center and said she would love to be included as one of our performers this year and we are thrilled to have her back where she belongs - - on the stage at Caretta!  Patricia will also be offering her CD’s for sale at the Festival.

     Southern Edge will be following Patricia Smith’s performance and will take the stage at 3:00 pm.  Southern Edge was formed in early 2010 by longtime friends who shared the love of Classic Country and Southern Rock Music.  Members are Shaun Wellman (lead vocal and rhythm guitar) from Big Sandy, WV….Marcus Sparks (lead guitar) from Marytown, WV….Larry Bailey (bass guitar) from Big Sandy, WV….and Robbie Phillips (drums) from Iaeger, WV.  Southern Edge is a new band and we look forward to helping them get recognized in our community.

     Okay, now - - we are moving on to Hershel Muncy & Band keeping things rocking when they take the stage at 4:00 pm.  Hershel and his band will have the stage until 5:25 pm.  I can’t think of a better band to be on that stage at 5:00 pm.  When you think of “It’s five o’clock somewhere” this is the band you want to be listening to.  Hershel and his band performed at Big Creek People in Action’s 20th Anniversary Celebration and were FANTASTIC.  The only problem with their performance was that no one wanted them to quit!!  We all begged them to do another set, and bless their hearts, they very graciously obliged.  Everyone will absolutely enjoy their performance, but those “Baby Boomers” – and just missed being “Baby Boomers” out there are going to want to be here to listen to this band rock out.

          One word – the only clue you will need to know who follows Hershel and his band –“Strokin’”.  You know it – Joe Ford!!!  I think we would have a mutiny on our hands if Joe Ford  

didn’t show up and sing his “Strokin”.  Joe has been a favorite at our festival for many years.  Joe boot-scoots, sings, and gets the crowd rockin’ while he entertains them with popular songs from the 60’s and 70’s.  Joe will be selling his CD’s during the festival, so make sure you boot-scoot on over to him and buy you one or two.

     Yee-Haw!!! It’s 7:00 pm and the evening is rolling along with Brock Whitt taking the stage.  Brock has a huge fan base in this community and we look forward to his performance every year.  There is a new television show called The Voice.  Well, Brock Whitt IS the Voice in this community and we would love to see him audition for the show and be on television.  We would hate to see him leave here, but he is a star in the making.  Make sure you get to our festival and hear Brock again before he becomes too big a star for us to afford! 

     That ole hot sun will be going down and the day will begin to cool off.  Time to kick back and relax to some good ole bluegrass.  Who better to “bring it on” than Ramblin’ Grass!  Chester Ball and his friends will take the stage at 8:30 pm.  When I say “take the stage” - - I MEAN take the stage!  Chester is a powerhouse performer.  Chester Ball and Wes Addair are true blue friends to Big Creek People in Action.  They come to the Center week after week and perform for the college students and church groups that come here for service learning opportunities.  They sing, dance and tell stories about McDowell County and when they are through, they have made a connection with those volunteer groups.  The volunteer group’s reflections from their service learning trip always list Chester and his friends as one of the highlights of their trip.  This is what a wonderful friend to the Center Chester is, but above all - - he is one heck of a musician.  Now we are talking Appalachian Music sounding through the hills!  You can kick back and cool off while listening to some great bluegrass, or you can kick up those heels and flatfoot across the parking lot.  Either way, you are certainly going to have a great time.

     By now your boots should be smokin’ and your tail draggin’, so you will want to make sure you visit our air-conditioned gymnasium for some good ole home cookin’ and something cold to drink.  Homemade chili and some ice cold sodas - - that’s what I’m talking about. 

     Eat fast and get back outside, because Southern Rain is taking the stage and keeping us entertained from 9:30 pm until 11:30 pm.  This band does country, original music, cover songs, rock (they can rock your socks off with new and classic rock).  The bass player and singer is Roger Hicks, who is a recognized Nashville talent and has backed up some of the best recording artists around.  This band will make you laugh, cry, dance and get happy!  What more could you ask for?  Sounds like a great band to end the day with.

     Remember, our Mountain Music Festival charges NO admission.  We want everyone to be able to come out, kick back and have a day to remember.  For further information, please call (304) 875-3418. 

    

Moms Attend Workshops at Big Creek People in Action’s Community Baby Shower

 

     Big Creek People in Action hosted its annual Moms & Babes Fair/Community Baby Shower on April 19 and 27 at the Caretta Community Center. Twenty-five mothers attended over a two day period, receiving information about child abuse, healthy relationships, WIC, prenatal programs, poison prevention, drugs and smoking, and much more. Attendees participated in four different workshops provided by: Healthy Families/Healthy Children; PBS; WVU Extension; and Southern Coalfields Tobacco Prevention. After a nice luncheon, mothers received gift bags with a variety of supplies such as diapers and other baby hygiene needs, knitted blankets and caps, smoke alarms, a new baby outfit, and a variety of other useful items. Moms left the event with much praise for the program and gratitude for the items they received. “We want the moms to have as much information as possible about the many programs available to assist them located right here in our county. The Moms & Babes Fair gives mothers a chance to talk one-on-one with representatives from these programs to see how they can get support. We try to include all types of programs including adult GED and child literacy, nutrition, and others that parents have probably never heard about. I have so many moms calling to sign up, but unfortunately, I do have to limit the number that I can serve due to finances. Big Creek People in Action hopes to be able to serve more next year,” says Annetta Tiller, Special Projects Coordinator for BCPIA.  “When we have left over supplies, we always try to give those to mothers who have called, but were unable to attend. This year, we have served an additional 113 people with diapers.”

 

      The Moms & Babes Fair was sponsored by Big Creek People in Action and Unicare, with additional support from Southern Coalfields Tobacco Prevention, Christian Appalachian Project, Americans Helping Americans, and ArcelorMittal/XMV Mining. Representatives from Stop The Hurt, Council of the Southern Mountains, Birth to Three, Healthy Families/Healthy Children, PBS, WVU Extension, Southern Coalfields Tobacco Coalition, SAFE, SHED, WIC, and UniCare gave out parenting supplies and nice door prizes, as well.

 

SPRING CARNIVAL

 

Big Creek People in Action had a great Spring Carnival on Saturday, April 2nd.  150 people attended the event and the kids and adults won lots of nice prizes.  You’re always a winner  at our games.  Emory and Henry College from Emory, VA financially supported the Carnival and also sent students to help run the games.  A fun time was had by all.

 

 

 

 

Santa  Makes  A  Stop  At  The  Caretta  Community  Center

 

      December 10 was a day filled with holiday cheer, good food, and of course, gifts from Santa himself. Two hundred thirty-three children and one hundred ninety-nine adults attended the festivities sponsored by Big Creek People in Action in Caretta.

 

      Plans began months in advance in anticipation for this huge event and the people attending were not disappointed. The children received several gifts each; the families received a food box; and a hot turkey dinner was served to each person. Santa gave out treat bags to the children as they sat on his lap giving him the list of items they want under their tree at home. The children even got to choose a gift for their mom and dad to put under the tree.

 

 

      Clients from the Southern Highlands DayHab Program and many seniors from around the community also attended a party during the daytime.  We always enjoy having them come join us. Those attending had a wonderful time and they get to see Santa and get gifts, too.

 

    

     “Families began signing up for the Christmas party in September and the list kept growing until we just could not take any more children. We had parents calling all the way up to the day of the party. It is a shame, and we hate turning anyone away, but funding will only go so far,” quoted Annetta Tiller, Special Events Coordinator at BCPIA. “We have several churches that we partner with in South Carolina. One of the members there takes the lead in purchasing hundreds of gifts. The ones they don’t sponsor are then bought for by Big Creek People in Action. We start in August sending out donation letters to practically anyone we know, because it takes a lot of money to sponsor this event. We have some dependable donors who help every year and this year we even received fourteen hundred turkeys from Americans Helping Americans. Over eleven hundred turkeys were distributed at Thanksgiving and the rest were frozen for the families food boxes at the Christmas Party. We were able to help out many working families with the turkeys by sending two hundred and twenty to the employees of Stevens Correctional Facility and thirty-two went to the employees of the McDowell Ambulance Authority. We are just amazed at how the event falls together and helps so many people. The Christmas Party is the biggest event that the entire staff looks forward to each year. Just seeing the look on the faces of the children is worth all the hard work.”

 

     In addition to the Christmas Party, Big Creek People In Action distributed gifts to fifty-four children who were unable to get signed up for the party. A total of one hundred eighty food boxes were given out to families and seniors.

 

 

     Local coal companies in Caretta helped purchase gifts for the children and Cliffs Natural Resources helped with food boxes and gifts. Jim Kosowski, a representative from Cliffs Natural Resources attended one of the parties and met with families. Big Creek People in Action would like to thank everyone who helped to make this year’s Christmas Party a success!

 

 

                                 CELEBRATING 20 YEARS!

 

 

In 1990, two women sat on the railroad tracks in Caretta looking at the abandoned school building, dreaming of what could be done for their community.  After much hard work and determination, Big Creek People in Action was established in that building to address family, community, and economic concerns in the area.

 

We are proud to have hosted our “20 Year Celebration” on Friday, December 3, 2010. Many former employees, collaborating organizations, funders, and friends gathered together to celebrate our accomplishments.  A PowerPoint was shown of the programs that have been established , improvements that have been made to the building, and many milestones we’ve reached along the way.

 

The gymnasium was decorated with a beautiful Christmas theme of blue, green, and silver to match our logo.  A delicious meal of turkey and ham, vegetables, and desserts was served.  During the cocktail hour, Hershel Muncy’s band took the stage and played many tunes from the 60’s and 70’s for our enjoyment.

 

This was a fantastic event and most of those present thought we should do it every year.  The words on the last slide of our PowerPoint sums up how the staff feels.   It reads:  As we have traveled down the road during this past twenty years, we have many accomplishments to be proud of, but our work is not finished.  We look forward to the journey ahead as we grow and position ourselves to be a part of the change that is needed to bring about a brighter future for McDowell County, West Virginia.  Please join us on our journey.”


     “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. 




     18th Annual Mountain Music Festival Held in McDowell County

 

 

Talented musicians filled the stage as Big Creek People In Action held their 18th 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 18th 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.

 

Click Here for Upcoming Events!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact Information:                      

 

Big Creek People in Action, Inc.                          

HC 32 Box 541

War, WV 24892

Ph. (304) 875-3418

Fax: (304) 875-3518

Email: bcpia3418@netscape.net