BUCKHANNON – The Upshur County Commission approved two proclamations recognizing employees who serve their community and people who care for children.
Kathy McMurray, executive director for Mountain CAP of WV, and Stephanie Hoover, provider engagement specialist for MountainHeart Community Services, attended the May 7 Upshur County Commission meeting to present the proclamations for Provider Appreciation Day and Community Action Month.
“I usually bring an impact report around this time, which I don’t have prepared at this point, but I just wanted to share that we served about 1,010 families last year, which was 2,799 unduplicated individuals,” McMurray said.
Hoover emphasized the importance of recognizing childcare providers and the work they do.
“Childcare providers play a vital role in supporting families and strengthening communities across West Virginia, in large and small towns,” she said. “They create safe, nurturing environments where children can learn, grow and thrive during their most important developmental years.”
Having reliable, available childcare is important for a community to grow.
“For working families, reliable childcare makes it possible to maintain employment and pursue opportunities, especially in rural areas where resources may be limited,” she said. “Childcare providers lay the foundation for lifelong learning, nurturing curiosity, building confidence and supporting emotional and social development. Simply put, when childcare providers are supported and valued, children thrive, families succeed and communities grow stronger. We sincerely thank our childcare providers for their dedication, patience and lasting impact, and we do have two of our providers here with us today.”
Provider Appreciation Day proclamation
WHEREAS, Child Care Aware of America and organizations nationwide are recognizing Child Care Providers on this day; and
WHEREAS, the child care system supports children’s growth, development, and educational advancement while creating positive economic impacts for families and communities; and
WHEREAS, child care providers are essential to the health of our communities by fostering safe and welcoming spaces, supporting working families, and creating enriching environments where children develop lifelong skills; and
WHEREAS, Upshur County recognizes that child care has been and continues to be a lifeline for families, communities, and the economy. As such, it has provided much-needed support to providers to help sustain the viability of child care; and
WHEREAS, Upshur County recognizes that our community benefits from comprehensive, well-resourced Child Care Resource and Referral organizations, like MountainHeart Community Services, which build the supply and quality of child care and support child care providers through coaching, mentoring, and technical assistance; and
WHEREAS, support for affordable, accessible, high-quality child care represents a worthy commitment to help families work, support children’s healthy development and learning, and keep our economy growing.
Now, therefore, we, Commissioners of Upshur County, WV, hereby proclaim May 8, 2026, as Provider Appreciation Day in Upshur County and urge all citizens to recognize child care providers for their important work and how valuable they are to our communities.
Community Action Month proclamation
WHEREAS, Community Action creates pathways to prosperity by helping hardworking families achieve economic independence rather than keeping them reliant on government assistance; and
WHEREAS, Community Action is built on innovative, responsive, and efficient programs that are uniquely tailored to meet local needs; and
WHEREAS, Community Action delivers high-impact, cost-effective results that generate a significant return on investment for local communities; and
WHEREAS, Community Action invests in private-sector job creation and career training, ensuring that communities grow through free-market solutions; and
WHEREAS, Community Action Agencies are trusted pillars of the community that engage volunteers who donate their time to advance local progress, support working families, and contribute to lasting community success; and
WHEREAS, Community Action programs are both necessary and popular—delivering effective, high-quality assistance that strengthens community resilience and fosters local prosperity; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Kristie Tenney, president of the Upshur County Commission, do hereby proclaim May 2026 as Community Action Month in recognition of the hard work and dedication of Mountain CAP of WV, Inc. and MountainHeart Community Services, Inc.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of Upshur County, West Virginia, on this 7th day of May, 2026.
