More than 100 people gathered Monday at Charles Town Races and Slots for the Eastern Panhandle Volunteerism Luncheon to learn about the West Virginia Business Volunteer Council (BVC). Representatives from businesses and non-profit organizations were present to learn about what other businesses in the state are doing to help their communities, and to find out what being part of the council would allow them to accomplish.

Co-Chair of the Council First Lady Gayle Manchin introduced the BVC to the group.  She explained that the council is a statewide initiative open to all private sector businesses, labor organizations, and business and professional associations.  The BVC is partnered with the state’s volunteer agency, the West Virginia Commission for National and Community Service, which has connected the council to many non-profit groups in the state through their website www.volunteerwv.org.

Bill Klinglesmith, a recruiter with Quad/Graphics in Martinsburg, and Al Britton, General Manager at Charles Town Races and Slots in Charles Town, spoke to the crowd as examples of local businesses that have made volunteerism a part of their mission.  Both companies are known for their philanthropy in the area, not only on the corporate side but also from their employees.  The speakers discussed how working in the communities in which they live has been proven to keep workers happy and will often develop a sense of belonging and ownership.  Something as seemingly tedious as picking up trash along the side of the road actually becomes fun when a group of people work together to make the place they live better.

The point was also made that businesses need to celebrate their achievements in the arena of community service.  Helping people in the community is a true accomplishment that many employees are proud of at Quad/Graphics, according to Klinglesmith.  There is nothing wrong with celebrating that success and sharing the accomplishment with others.

It costs businesses $25.00 to join the council, but in her closing statement Manchin said they get much in return.  Aside from the networking opportunities Eastern panhandle Businesses would be able to become involved more quickly and effectively by utilizing their strengths.  She says that West Virginia could never afford to pay for all of the work volunteers do, and that Corporate Volunteerism is where the solution to many of the problems facing West Virginians will be solved.

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