Red Cross helped many Upshur County families in 2021, particularly after two large fires

Monica Zalaznik
March 19, 2022

BUCKHANNON – The Upshur County Commission proclaimed March 2022 as Red Cross Month.

Allen Staggers, chairman of the board of the Allegheny Highlands Chapter of the American Red Cross, attended the March 17 commission meeting to discuss the work Red Cross performed in 2021.

“During the course of the year, we collected 277 units of blood across 15 blood drives here in Upshur County — many of those were at West Virginia Wesleyan College and area churches,” Staggers said. “We provided 28 cases of services to the Armed Forces program. Many people don’t know the American Red Cross provides services to the Department of Defense — for family emergencies for service members who are deployed overseas. We call them and we verify that emergency according to the Department of Defense for those types of cases.”

Many of the local emergencies were fires, including the massive blaze at an apartment building in Adrian.

“Twenty-seven families were provided disaster recovery services, primarily for fires, unfortunately. Our volunteers are there after emergencies like that to provide food, clothing and shelter replacement locations,” Staggers said. “What we try to do is be the best part of somebody’s worst day. Particularly notable in 2021 was the fire at Holly Apartments in Adrian, which impacted multiple families. Red Cross provided support, along with many other local entities.”

He said they also assisted people affected by the Main Street fire where four businesses and six apartments were destroyed.

“Most recently on Feb. 7, there was a single-family home that affected three people,” Stagger added. “Unfortunately, that’s a large part of what our mission is, but we’re glad to do it. We certainly appreciate the county commission’s support, in issuing this proclamation.”

In other Upshur County Commission news.

The commission approved poll workers and emergency ballot commissioners for the May 10, 2022, Primary Election.
The commission approved correspondence from Joseph A. Tenney, Chairman of the Tennerton Public Service District, requesting the acceptance of Mike Hyre’s resignation and the appointment of Robert Heater to Hyre’s unexpired term to the Tennerton Public Service District Board. Upon approval Heater’s term would expire July 31, 2027.
The commission approved correspondence from Jacob Mills, a resident of Upshur County, expressing an interest in serving on the Upshur County Parks and Recreation Board.
The commission approved of an advertisement for Lifeguards, Admission Workers, Concession Stand Workers and Assistant Managers for the 2022 season at the Buckhannon-Upshur Recreational Park Facility. The temporary positions will commence mid-May and continue through mid-August. Applications must be received on or before the close of business on Friday, April 29, 2022. Commissioner Sam Nolte made a motion to continue accepting applications beyond April 29, if positions are still empty.