TOWN OF ALDERSON POST OFFICE BOX 179 CITY BUILDING—202 SOUTH MONROE STREET ALDERSON, WEST VIRGINIA 24910 TELEPHONE (304) 445-2916 NEWS RELEASE - 8-6-2018

Contact:  Mayor Travis Copenhaver 304-445-2916 / Margaret Hambrick 304-646-2439

Organizations Team Up To Help Federal Workers Both    furloughed    federal    employees    and    those    who    are    working    without    pay    will    miss    their    second paycheck   on   Friday,   January   25.      Concerned   local   organizations   and   citizens   have   been   working   to alleviate some of the stress caused by this situation.  Through   a   partnership   between   Montwell   Commons   and   Greenbrier   County   Health   Alliance,   free   lunches were   provided   for   affected   federal   employees   and   their   families   at   the   Barn   at   Montwell   Commons   on Saturday,   January   12   and   19.   Florian   Schleiff   originally   came   up   with   the   idea   and   solicited   the   help   of   Cliff Baker,   board   president   of   Montwell   Commons,   and   Sally   Hurst,   outreach   coordinator   for   Greenbrier County   Health   Alliance.   Hill   and   Holler   Pizza   donated   pizza,   individual   donations   covered   other   lunch dishes   as   well   as   food,   gas,   and   movie   gift   cards,   and   Marz   Attar   and   the   OneFoundation   also   assisted with   funding.      Margaret   Hambrick,   a   retired   federal   employee   and   president   of   the   Greenbrier   Historical Society,   served   as   liaison   to   the   federal   employees,   making   sure   they   were   aware   of   the   community’s support. “It’s   unfortunate   that   so   many   local   families   are   struggling   during   the   shutdown,   but   this   is   exactly   what   I have   long   envisioned   for   Montwell   Commons,   that   it   would   be   a   place   where   we   all   come   together, combine resources, and make sure our neighbors have what they need,” says Schleiff. “This   event   is   simply   an   effort   to   say   thank   you   to   these   workers   for   the   work   they   do   and   that   many people   regret   the   stress   this   non-paid   status   is   placing   on   them.   I   am   sure   none   of   these   staff   ever   thought they   would   find   themselves   in   this   position.      Many   are   already   planning   ways   they   can   ‘pay   this   help forward’ when they are once again paid,” Hambrick adds. Other   assistance   has   been   organized   by   the   Federal   Prison   Camp   Employees’   Club   in   the   form   of   a “blessing   box”   or   food/necessity   pantry   accessible   to   all   federal   workers   in   furloughed   or   non-paid   status.     Federal   employees   from   agencies   other   than   the   Department   of   Justice   have   been   contacted   to   let   them know how to access these supplies.  Financial   contributions   to   this   effort   can   be   made   at   the   Greenbrier   County   Health   Alliance   office   on   the campus   of   WVSOM   (400   Lee   Street   N.,   Lewisburg).   Other   donations   can   be   dropped   off   at   Greenbrier Historical   Society   (814   W.   Washington   St.,   Lewisburg),   and   Alderson   City   Hall   (202   S.   Monroe   St., Alderson).      Please   donate   only   shelf   stable   foods   and   immediate   necessities   such   as   toothpaste,   toilet paper,   dish   detergent,   clothing   detergent,   paper   towels,   etc.      Clothing   or   long-term   items   are   not   needed   at this   time.   The   Alderson   Ministerial   Association   provided   the   seed   money   to   start   this   effort.   If   there   are items left at the end of this period of need, they will be donated to the Alderson Food Pantry. A   third   luncheon   is   scheduled   for   Saturday,   January   26.   For   more   information,   contact   Margaret   Hambrick at mchwv44@gmail.com or 304-646-2439.