Couple to match cities’ donations for Wheeling Health Right | News, Sports, Jobs

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — A pair of former Belmont County residents are providing a match if the 2 cities within the county comply with fund Wheeling Well being Proper’s actions on the western aspect of the Ohio River.

James and Marlene Everson, former St. Clairsville residents with ties to Martins Ferry, now dwell at Atwood Lake, Ohio, and Naples, Florida. They’ve provided a $100,000 “Problem Grant” to Wheeling Well being Proper by means of their James W. and Marlene Ok. Everson Belief in hope of motivating the cities of Martins Ferry and St. Clairsville — plus others — to take part within the funding of Wheeling Well being Proper to proceed and probably broaden its providers in Belmont County.

James Everson had a 55-year banking profession with the Residents Financial savings Financial institution of Martins Ferry, retiring as its president and CEO in 2004. Marlene Everson was a registered nurse and labored on the Wheeling Clinic. They had been additionally instrumental in offering the seed cash and ongoing monetary help for the Every day Bread Heart in Martins Ferry, which is now actively administered by the Martins Ferry Ministerial Affiliation, offering meals for these in want.

Kathie Brown, government director of Wheeling Well being Proper, mentioned the couple reached out to her with the supply of $20,000 a 12 months, if matched by funding of $10,000 every from the cities of St. Clairsville and Martins Ferry and the continued $25,000 match from Belmont County.

“That provides us some stable, constant funding over the subsequent a number of years,” Brown mentioned.

She famous that Wheeling Well being Proper gives free major well being care, dental care and different providers to about 1,400 Belmont County residents yearly. Brown mentioned this interprets into $214,400 of free medical and dental take care of St. Clairsville residents and $428,800 in free take care of Martins Ferry residents.

“We do present an incredible quantity of service, each medical, dental and pharmaceuticals, and we’ve Belmont County residents,” Brown mentioned.

“Due to their understanding of and dedication to our mission, the Eversons need to do extra, and need others to match their dedication,” Brown mentioned in a launch.

There was some concern that Wheeling Well being Proper may finish its providers in Belmont County resulting from lack of funding. In September 2022, the Belmont County Board of Commissioners determined to proceed to commit $25,000 in yearly help.

Upon studying of the scenario, the Eversons despatched a letter to Wheeling Well being Proper providing a $100,000 problem grant with a five-year annual dedication of $20,000 predicated on each the cities of Martins Ferry and St. Clairsville every committing a five-year $10,000 annual allocation.

“We perceive the mission of Wheeling Well being Proper and thru our Problem Grant it’s our hope and purpose that they are going to proceed to develop in serving these in want in Belmont County with medical and dental care,” Jim Everson mentioned in a launch.

If the cities agree, Brown is requesting they make their choice by Feb. 1, with the primary installment acquired by March. She mentioned the Eversons are able to make their first grant cost.

“I’ll carry it up in a council assembly Feb. 1,” Martins Ferry Mayor John Davies. “I’ll transient the scenario to the Metropolis Council and see what they assume. It’s all as much as them.”

Frank Papini of St. Clairsville additionally delivered the proposal to the St. Clairsville Metropolis Council on Jan. 16. Members will overview the proposal and deal with it in an upcoming assembly.