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Joyce Jingle and her merry band of Triadelphia Middle School carolers spread a little Christmas joy - and cash - Tuesday during a Wheeling Rotary Club meeting.

The highlight of the Christmas program involved Jingle presenting a check for $1,000 to George Smoulder, executive director of the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley. Jingle said the money for the United Way was collected during the choir's first school performance this year and through collections taken by students.

Nearly 70 Triadelphia middle schoolers wore Santa caps while performing a selection of holiday songs at the club's weekly luncheon at WesBanco Area. The tune, "There Is a Santa Claus," was arranged specifically for the school choir by two graduates of West Liberty University, Chris Pappas and Curtis Johnson.

"I always like to have the students get out into the community and share a little bit of their Christmas spirit," said Jingle, choral director for Triadelphia Middle School.

Smoulder talked briefly to Rotary members about the logo of a hand displayed on the United Way pin.

"That hand can either be somebody providing help to someone or somebody receiving help," he said, noting that situations can sometimes change quickly for folks living in the Ohio Valley.

"I just wanted to thank everyone at Triadelphia - the teachers and the students - for enabling those who have found themselves in need of help this year to receive it through this generous donation," Smoulder added.