Story and Video: Wheeling’s Golisano Children’s Outpatient Clinic Gets $50,000 From Circus Saints and Sinners

WHEELING -- WVU Medicine Golisano Children's Outpatient Clinic being constructed in Wheeling now has an extra $50,000 to put toward making a child's hospital experience a little more pleasant.

Organizers and sponsors with the Circus Saints and Sinners Party on the Plaza music festival, presented a ceremonial check for $50,000 to the facility on Thursday. The donation represents the collective proceeds from the festival's past two years.

Paul Smith, founder and chairman of the festival, said no check was presented last year as it became difficult to schedule a time when all sponsors involved could be present. It was decided one two-year check would be presented.

The Party on the Plaza festival has taken place each of the last six years at Market Street Plaza in Wheeling, and the event has generated a combined $150,000 for Golisano Children's, according to Smith.

In 2021, Circus Saints and Sinners pledged $150,000 to the main Golisano Children's hospital in Morgantown from its festivals.

A few months ago, as the organization was nearing that commitment, it made another $100,000 commission to the Golisano Children's Outpatient Clinic currently under construction at Wheeling Hospital, he explained.

Since the pledge to the Morgantown hospital has been fulfilled, the $50,000 presented on Thursday was designated for the Wheeling outpatient. Going forward, the money will go to the Wheeling facility, according to Smith.

"We're very excited and happy that the event has grown into one of the most premiere and most highly anticipated events here in Wheeling," he said.

Smith attributed the festival's success to its sponsors, including Panhandle Cleaning and Restoration, the event’s presenting sponsor. Others represented at the check presentation on Thursday included Glessner Snodgrass Wealth Management, WesBanco, REMAX Broadwater and WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital. Kalkreuth Roofing, Lowes and Gumby's/Genos also had a presence.

Ben Becze, executive director for development at WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s, noted the money received would ensure local children "have access to premiere health care in their own back yard."

"The philanthropic dollars that are donated raised as part of Party on the Plaza mean so much because not only of how the money is raised through sponsorships, but through the community that supports it so actively...," Becze said. "It is an incredibly fun event... it just means so much and does so much for our kids in the Ohio Valley."

Panhandle Cleaning and Restoration has been involved with Party on the Plaza as a title sponsor since its inception.

"Once we decided the children's hospital was the beneficiary...we decided it was a great cause and that's how we got involved," Bob Contraguerro Jr. said. "We have been a title sponsor ever since.... It makes us feel really good...."

Party on the Plaza happens each year on the second Saturday in July.

"The Party on the Plaza has quickly evolved into a highly anticipated annual highlight for our community," Smith said. "Every year, we welcome over 1,000 ticketed guests to the fenced-in Market Plaza for a premium festival experience that offers an unforgettable day of fun for our attendees and incredible exposure to a key demographic for our sponsors. We purposefully book the region’s top party bands to guarantee a high-energy atmosphere that keeps everyone engaged and dancing from the very first note to the final encore."