SENATE RESOLUTION 6

(By Senators Clements, Baldwin, Cline, Hamilton, Jeffries, Palumbo, Rucker, and Stollings)

[Introduced January 13, 2020]

Recognizing the West Virginia Oil Marketers and Grocers Association (OMEGA) for their dedicated support of the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia.

Whereas, The West Virginia Oil Marketers and Grocers Association (OMEGA) was organized to promote and improve the business interests of those engaged in the petroleum marketing, retail grocery, and convenience store industries within the state of West Virginia. Most OMEGA members are home grown West Virginia businesses. The nearly 175 member companies employ over 2.5 percent of the state's population—more than 50,000 residents; and

Whereas, The Children's Home Society of West Virginia is a private, non-profit child welfare organization founded in 1896. They are licensed to provide child welfare and behavioral health services in West Virginia. Comprehensive child welfare, behavioral health, social casework, and advocacy services are provided to over 10,000 children each year from 13 primary locations throughout the state; and

Whereas, OMEGA members began raising money for Children’s Home Society of West Virginia in 2011 with their first Taking It Home for Mother’s Day Campaign.  OMEGA members now sell flower emblems in their stores each year in the month leading up to Mother’s Day; and

Whereas, OMEGA hosts an annual golf outing, the Jan Vineyard Children’s Charity Golf Outing, to raise money for Children’s Home Society of West Virginia.  Members including Little General Stores, Par Mar Stores, ExxonMobil, and many others raise thousands of dollars for Children’s Home Society of West Virginia at this event; and

Whereas, OMEGA raised more than $128,000 in 2019 for the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia, bringing their total to $1 million dollars since 2011.  The money raised helps Children’s Home Society of West Virginia assist the more than 7,000 West Virginia children who are in need of adoption or are suffering a crisis in the family.  Funds are used for the organization’s assistance programs, which include: Emergency child shelters, foster care, adoption support, mentoring, early intervention, and numerous other family support programs; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby recognizes the West Virginia Oil Marketers and Grocers Association (OMEGA) for their dedicated support of the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the West Virginia Oil Marketers & Grocers Association (OMEGA) and the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia.