A $1,600 donation to Wheeling Middle School from BB&T bank has created a clothes closet equipped with laundry facilities and filled with brand-named, new garments for students in need.

Officials from Ohio County Schools, Wheeling Middle School and BB&T gathered recently at the South Wheeling building to view the room, which will be available to sixth, seventh and eighth-grade students who need clothes.

This partnership is part of BB&T's companywide community service initiative in August and September called the "BB&T Lighthouse Project," a philanthropic effort that is the largest in BB&T's 137-year history.

In addition to several racks of new clothes, some contributed by Shirts-N-More, the closet now has a washer and dryer. BB&T Assistant Vice President Matthew Osbourne also thanked Maness Contracting for donating materials and time to the project.

Anyone interested in donating new or gently used garments to the Wheeling Middle School Clothes Closet can call 304-243-0425.

"This closet has new and gently used clothes - undergarments, jeans and shirts - for boys and girls," said Ohio County Deputy John Haglock, who serves as Wheeling Middle School's prevention resource officer and co-adviser of the Leo Club. "The students can come in and get whatever they need.

"We hope to expand this to include shoes and coats," he added. "It will be an ongoing project. We are planning a coat drive for the winter."

BB&T Relationship Banker Ashlie Costello has two personal connections with Wheeling Middle School. First, Haglock is her father; and second, she was a Wildcat herself.

"I went to Wheeling Middle School and grew up in South Wheeling," Costello noted. "I wanted to be able to give back to my community and to my alma mater. BB&T is very happy to have the opportunity to give back to the community."

Recalling her time as a middle-schooler, Costello said she remembers students making fun of classmates if their clothes were not brand names.

"We made sure to get all name brand items," Costello said.

Wheeling Middle School Principal Patrick Riddle said he and his staff are extremely appreciative to have the improved clothes closet.

"It's great to have these tools at our fingertips," he commented. "I hope the students will take advantage of this."

Costello said the washer and dryer in the clothes closet will allow children who do not have access to laundry facilities in their homes to have clean clothes while at school.

"Some students do not have the means to wash clothes or uniforms if they are involved in sports," she said.

Haglock said special education students will learn how to use the washer and dryer as part of life skills training.

"One of our 10 core values at BB&T is self-esteem," Osbourne said. "This project will boost kids' self-esteem. Adding to an environment that fosters self-esteem for kids goes hand in hand with BB&T's core values."