Wheeling Rotary Club Learns About Volunteering Opportunities At Laughlin Memorial Chapel
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WHEELING - The Wheeling Rotary Club learned about volunteering opportunities at Laughlin Memorial Chapel, 129 18th St., Wheeling, on Tuesday during its regular meeting.
Tessa Weisenborn, director of Laughlin Memorial Chapel, talked about the chapel's free programming for children during summer months and after school.
She said the chapel is always in need of extra hands to help tutor children, read to them or just oversee additional activities such as crafts and art.
One urgent need is an afterschool math tutor.
"Our children are falling behind in their math skills," she said.
The chapel is also in need of a new afternoon bus driver.
For more than 100 years, the chapel has been a safe place for students to come after school to get something to eat, get help with homework and have fun while their parents are at work.
Its Energy Express program in the summertime provides children with breakfast, lunch, activities, reading lessons and local field trips. This summer, 54 children attended.
"It's been part of East Wheeling for over 150 years. Our work is rooted in the tradition of Christian hospitality, engaging in the community and is committed to education; especially for children," Weisenborn said. "As a believer myself and prior educator, once I read about Laughlin and saw the position was open I was really excited about the chance."
She noted although the chapel does not provide as much religious programming as it once did, it is still considered a missionary partner with the Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery.
"We're grateful to them for their partnership," she added.
Weisenborn said the chapel provides "vital support" to families in the East Wheeling area. She noted the former director, Martha Wright, conducted a survey of families regarding those services.
"Sixty-eight percent surveyed indicated the fact that our programming exists allows them to stay gainfully employed," she said. "They know that their kids are going somewhere safe. We have a dedicated bus and driver that transports children from Madison and Ritchie Schools, predominately."
The chapel conducts fundraising annually and also accepts donations; visit www.laughlinmemorialchapel.org.
The Wheeling Rotary Club is always looking for new members. The club typically meets at noon Tuesdays at WesBanco Arena in the lower-level club room. Bill Lemon, an Ohio County magistrate, is the scheduled speaker for the Aug. 25 meeting.
For more information, one can attend a meeting, visit rotarywheeling.org, visit the "Rotary Club of Wheeling, West Virginia" Facebook page or call 304-280-6212.