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Ohio Valley Christian Soldiers Give to Givers

The Ohio Valley Christian Soldiers once again gave some holiday help to charitable organizations throughout the Ohio Valley when the organization met Monday with representatives of 38 community organizations at the Belmont Hills County Club.

The OVCS wrote a total of $58,500 in donation checks in 2018, with the majority presented Monday. The organization has donated about $660,000 since its inception in 2005.

Belmont County Common Pleas Judge Frank Fregiato conducted the meeting.

“This is a great year for the Christian Soldiers,” OVCS President Lou Costanzo said. “Today we completed the giving of that money to our many organizations. Our mission is basically to raise money and give it to other charitable organizations in the Ohio Valley to complete their mission. We also have zero administrative costs, which we’re very excited about. Our members pick up any of our administrative costs, so every dollar we raise, we’re able to give out to the charities in our organization.

“For the 14 years that we’ve been in existence, we’ve given out approximately $700,000,” he said, adding that fundraising events throughout the year included a raffle in August, where many businesses donated items and services to be auctioned off. “We can raffle those off and raise money, which we in turn can give to our donating organizations.”

Costanzo said the need has increased since the organization’s inception.

“We’ve noticed an increase in the number of organizations asking for help, and we try to include just about everyone that has made a request and meets the criteria for getting a donation. The need is certainly there, and it’s increasing in many ways, clothing, hunger and assistance in prevention of drug use,” he said.

“It’s a great organization,” Vice President Chuck McCloud said. “We just want to help the community.”

“It’s wonderful to see all these worthy groups and all these people that want to do things and make our community a better place,” Lova Ebbert of St. Clairsville, volunteer with OVCS, said.

Representatives from the various organizations were overjoyed at the assistance.

“This is tremendous. It gives us an opportunity to help people in our section of Wheeling, North Wheeling, that have a difficult time paying bills, putting food on the table, getting to work, needing gas money,” Jeff Mauck, representing the Warwood United Methodist Church, said, adding that they received $1,500. “It’ll go far in helping the needy.”

“We’re just extremely grateful to the Christian Soldiers. They do a wonderful job of giving to the community. It certainly helps us proving health care to the clients in Belmont County,” Kathie Brown, executive director of Wheeling Health Right, said.

“We just feel very blessed to receive a donation from the Christian Soldiers,” Alicia Freeman, representing the Special Wish Foundation, said, adding that her organization continues to grant wishes to ill children.

The Rev. Darrell Cummings with the Bethlehem Apostolic Temple in Wheeling said the donation will assist in community outreach efforts, particularly around the holidays.

Other recipients included the Salvation Army and the Belmont County Schools Staying Clean Car Show, which raises money for preventive outreach in area schools.

Anyone interested in membership or assisting in an upcoming fundraising event may call Costanzo at 304 280-3513.

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