WEIRTON - The Weirton United Way is celebrating the official beginning of its 2012 campaign with a week full of activities.
While the local organization, which provides assistance to 15 area agencies, traditionally has held a community dinner to start each year's campaign, this year officials decided to do things a little differently.
"We're doing a kickoff week," Executive Director Kristin Bowman-Cross said.
Activities will take place almost every day in the next week, with fundraisers or other events to celebrate the Weirton United Way and bring awareness of the services it provides.
The observances began today with the 13th-annual Weirton United Way All-Women's Golf Challenge at Mountaineer's Woodview Golf Course. The yearly golf tournament was set to hold a shotgun start at 10 a.m. today.
The events will continue with a 31 party at the United Way offices, with a sale of the United Way cookbook taking place on Tuesday.
The members of the United Way campaign team, led this year by Campaign Chair John Greco and Vice Chair Don Gianni Jr., will gather for a luncheon at noon Wednesday at the Salvation Army in Weirton.
Campaign supplies will be distributed during the luncheon, and the United Way is asking for reservations by Monday.
On Friday, the annual United Way School Walk-a-thon will take place, with students across Weirton taking part by walking around an established path at their schools to help raise money for the organization.
According to Bowman-Cross, most of the schools in Weirton, including all of the Hancock County-based elementary schools, Weir Middle School and Weir High School, were set to take part.
The Weirton United Way's member agencies include: American Red Cross, Boys and Girls Club of Weirton, Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council, Boy Scouts of America, Camp Fire USA, CHANGE Inc., Dunbar Recreation Center, Healthways Inc., Hancock-Brooke-Ohio-Marshall Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, Hancock County Sheltered Workshop Inc., Hancock County 4-H Foundation, Weirton Medical Center Hospital Charity Fund, Mary H. Weir Public Library, The Salvation Army and Weirton Christian Center.
For more information, contact the Weirton United Way at (304) 748-7213.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)
