Each year, the supportive members of the Gallia County
Chamber of Commerce, along with their annual dues, choose sponsorship
opportunities. The largest annual
sponsorship opportunity is the Gallipolis River Recreation Festival. Due to
COVID-19 restrictions, the River Rec committee and Chamber Board of Directors
were forced to cancel the annual event.
However, this left the Chamber staff to determine a respectable and
useful way to utilize those sponsorship funds, benefit the community, and promote
their members. “This pandemic has been a
struggle for everyone, residents and businesses. Our River Rec supporters are typically the
greatest community support and we wanted to create another meaningful way for
them to uphold those values”, stated Chamber Executive Director Elisha Orsbon.
Addaville Elementary, sponsored by River Town Electric & WesBanco Pictured L to R: Chamber Associate Director Paige James, WesBanco Branch Manager Peggy Saunders, River Town Electric Owner Nick Dobbs, Principal Brandon Mitchem, Chamber Executive Director Elisha Orsbon, Chamber President Jenni Swain
On August 18th and 20th, Chamber Staff
and board president Jenni Swain met with sponsoring businesses and the fourteen
Chamber member schools to present donations acquired with the sponsorship funds
from the canceled festival. Each school received bottles of hand sanitizer,
packages of paper towels, boxes of tissues, pencils, index cards, notebooks,
folders, crayons for elementary schools, ear buds for middle and high school,
among other necessary items.
Each school expressed their gratitude toward the businesses
for donations. Gallia Academy High
School Principal Mr. Donley stated “On behalf of Gallia Academy High School I’d
like to thank OVEC and McDonalds for their kind donation. The class and
hygiene supplies will help our students and teachers greatly as we head into
this school year. Our school system couldn’t function without the help
and support from our community! This year, more than ever it will take a
village!” South Gallia Middle and High School Principal Bray Shamblin added,
“[We] are thankful and blessed to be part of a community that cares not only
for their community partners but also the children of Gallia
County. We appreciate the Chamber of Commerce, their businesses, and
their commitment to meet and exceed the needs of everyone in Gallia
County.”
Buckeye Hills Career Center, sponsored by University of Rio Grande & Rio Grande Community College Pictured L to R: Chamber Associate Director Paige James, BHCC Dean of Students Gregory Snyder, BHCC Dean of Student Support Services and Instruction Leesa Lewis, Superintendent Jamie Nash, Chamber Executive Director Elisha Orsbon, Chamber President Jenni Swain
While making their first of three trips for supply
purchases, Chamber staff touched base with Walmart Gallipolis Manager, Rick
Gainey, to inform him of the bulk purchases being made and allowing him to
confirm quantities. In favor of the idea, Walmart donated a $200 gift card in
support of the project.
In response to the collaboration, Chamber President Jenni Swain stated, “We were honored to deliver supplies for our local schools from business sponsors. We are very thankful for the staff at each of the schools and we are proud of our business community for supporting them. We pray for a safe and healthy school year for all.”
Gallia Academy High School, sponsored by McDonald’s Gallipolis and OVEC Kyger Creek Station. Pictured L to R: Chamber Executive Director Elisha Orsbon, Chamber Associate Director Paige James, Principal Josh Donley, OVEC Kyger Creek Station Support Services Manager Jeff Moles, Chamber President Jenni Swain
Gallia Academy Middle School, sponsored by Mark Porter. Pictured L to R: Chamber Executive Director Elisha Orsbon, Chamber Associate Director Paige James, Mark Porter Auto Owner Mark Porter, Principal Lisa Jo Blakeman
Green Elementary, sponsored by Saunders Insurance and Gavin Power/Lightstone Generation Resources. Pictured L to R: Chamber Executive Director Elisha Orsbon, Principal Corey Luce, Saunders Insurance Associate Brett Steinbeck, Chamber Associate director Paige James, Chamber President Jenni Swain
Rio Grande Elementary, sponsored by Kali’s of Rio Grande, Courtside Bar & Grille, Gallipolis Daily Tribune, Evans Wealth Management, & Big Buck Country 101.5/Kindred Communications. Pictured L to R: Chamber President Jenni Swain, 101.5 Big Buck/Kindred Communications Account Executive Josh Wellington, Principal Julie Bays, Evans Wealth Management Marketing Manager Colin Woodall, Courtside Bar & Grill Owner Chelsea Covey, Thomas Do It Center Autumn Thomas, Chamber Executive Director Elisha Orsbon, Chamber Associate Director Paige James
Trace Elementary, sponsored by Ohio Valley Bank. Pictured L to R: Chamber Executive Director Elisha Orsbon, Chamber Associate Director Paige James, Tom Wiseman, Larry Miller, Principal Alicia Montgomery, Chamber President Jenni Swain
River Valley High School, sponsored by Holzer Health System Pictured L to R: Chamber President Jenni Swain, Chamber Associate Director Paige James, Principal Timothy Edwards, Holzer Health System Director of Marketing and Business Development Melissa Davis, Chamber Executive Director Elisha Orsbon
River Valley Middle School, sponsored Eric M. Thompson Trucking, Abbyshire Nursing and Rehabilitation, Panucci & Jackfert Orthodontics, Edward Jones, Buffalo Wild Wings Gallipolis Pictured L to R: Chamber Executive Director Elisha Orsbon, Principal Ed Moore, Buffalo Wild Wings Gallipolis Shift Manager Tony Wright, Chamber Associate Director Paige James, Chamber President Jenni Swain
Southwestern Elementary Pictured, sponsored by Foster Sales & Delivery L to R: Chamber Executive Director Elisha Orsbon, Chamber Associate Director Paige James, Principal Larry Carter, Chamber President Jenni Swain
Gallia Middle School, sponsored by Super 8 Gallipolis & Hampton Inn. South Gallia High School, sponsored by Thomas Do It Center. Pictured L to R: Chamber President Jenni Swain, Principal Bray Shamblin, Chamber Associate Director Paige James, Chamber Executive Director Elisha Orsbon Vinton Elementary, sponsored by Poseiden Transportation. Pictured L to R: Chamber Associate Director Paige James, Principal Leslie Henry, Chamber President Jenni Swain, Chamber Executive Director Elisha Orsbon
Washington Elementary, sponsored by Arbors at Gallipolis, Ohio Valley Supermarkets (Piggly Wiggly Gallipolis), RW Baird, Shaynaco, LLC. Pictured L to R: Chamber Executive Director Elisha Orsbon, Chamber President Jenni Swain, Principal Kimberly Conchran, Chamber Executive Director Paige James
