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WHEELING - Members of the public wanting to get involved with community projects in Wheeling get a chance this week to learn about upcoming activities and ask questions.
Volunteer Wheeling, a volunteer program organized by Wheeling Heritage, is hosting a volunteer kick-off meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Wheeling Artisan Center.
"The new year brings, for a lot of us, a search for new opportunities and a desire to make a difference," said Ellen Gano, Wheeling Heritage board vice-chair and Volunteer Wheeling founder. "With all that's happening in Wheeling now, we're hoping that folks may want to see what we're all about and consider supporting the revitalization of our city by volunteering through Volunteer Wheeling."
Alex Panas, project director for Wheeling Heritage, said volunteers during the last year were involved with the placement of Adirondack chairs in the area, establishment of the pocket park in Market Plaza, and several community cleanup days.
"Initially, a lot of enthusiasm, but that has settled down," Panas said. "We are wanting to re-engage people and get new volunteers. We want to make sure people know we are still operational."
This year, Wheeling Heritage has set up three different groups for volunteers involving types of community projects, and prospective volunteers may select the one in which they are most interested.
The first group would be involved with beautification efforts and other projects to help small businesses downtown.
The second group would be called out for community cleanups, and this would include helping to maintain the pocket park. Last year, these volunteers were involved with the "heart bombing" of some buildings downtown. They crafted and placed hearts on selected buildings downtown to draw attention to their need to be preserved.
The third group would help on a project with West Virginia Main Street to document all buildings in downtown Wheeling for potential use.
"We need volunteers to help, and we think by differentiating they can choose what they find meaningful," Panas explained. "Not everyone is interested in cleanup, or maybe they want to plan events or do data collection.
"It has to do with whatever skill sets a person has."
During the meeting on Tuesday, the prospective volunteers will break into groups to learn what projects they would be interested in doing, according to Panas.
The next event being organized by Wheeling Heritage is "Show of Hands," the business presentation competition set for Jan. 31. Next, "Hip Hop: A Black Tie Affair," is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 24.
Panas said Wheeling Heritage hopes to have ongoing renovations completed by the end of February. The River City restaurant on the first floor has been downsized. The extra space will now allow the Wheeling Artisan Center Shop to move from the second floor to the first floor to the front of the building along Main Street, and there is also room for a second tenant alongside them. Prodigal Daughter Treasures and Trinkets is expected to move in soon.
At the event on Tuesday, Volunteer Wheeling organizers will briefly share some of their recent initiatives and plans for the upcoming months, and attendees will have a chance to brainstorm new projects and initiatives through facilitated breakout sessions.
Anyone with an interest in volunteering is encouraged to attend. To learn more about Volunteer Wheeling, visit wheelingheritage.org/volunteer.