They have painted curbs, planted the street planters in Centre Market, cleaned weeds along trails, and Volunteer Wheeling members have even uncovered the soiled sidewalk along Chicken Neck Hill in Woodsdale.
But if you ask member Ellen Gano, this new group is just getting started.
“I moved back to Wheeling a couple of years ago after living in Washington, D.C., because after 35 years, it was time to retire,” Gano explained. “My husband David and I always thought that Wheeling is a nice spot, so that is why we decided to come back.
“Of course, the city was different than it was when I left, but I found that I had time on my hands, and after I saw some things that I thought could be spruced up, I felt I could contribute,” she said. “That’s when I approached the people at Wheeling Heritage to get help recruiting some others so we could make a positive difference.”
Big Goals
Along with the “spruce up” jobs, Gano and many of the members of Volunteer Wheeling hope to extend their assistance to local organizations and to the city of Wheeling, and in spring 2021, she hopes to establish a community garden that would donate vegetables to food pantries in Wheeling.
But she wants to build playgrounds, too, as well read in nursing homes and help serve meals to those in need at local kitchens.
“It’s all about putting more life into the city of Wheeling,” she explained. “That’s why I would love for organizations, businesses, and the city of Wheeling to help figure what projects are needed in the city. When we uncovered the sidewalk along Chicken Neck, there were three Council members there, and they told us that these kinds of efforts are what Wheeling is about. They told me that they would keep our group in mind when they come across things that we could do.
“So, right now, we’re hoping to get more projects done before outside work becomes more difficult,” she said. “That’s why we hope that some organizations reach out to us, too, so we can see what’s possible on the inside of some of the places that provide food to local residents.”
Growing Numbers
Anyone wishing to join Volunteer Wheeling can do so online, and that is also how Gano communicates future projects to those wishing to help. Volunteer Wheeling does have a Facebook page on which those interested can supply their email address to receive future details.
“Right now, we have about 20 individuals that come help when they can, and that number has grown since we created our Facebook page,” Gano said. “Of course, Covid has made some things more complicated, but we have been able to do a number of projects around the city so far.
“The work that we have performed has been outside with proper social distancing,” she reported. “I do hope to see it grow so we can increase our number of projects. I know with the colder weather on its way, that will be difficult for some time, but I’m sure we’ll pick back up when it warms up again.”
Gano and other members are far from finished this fall, and this past Saturday two volunteers joined Karen Cox from the WVU Extension Office to begin removing invasive plant species and planting trees along the “pig path” that extends from Heiskell Avenue to Elm Street in Woodsdale.
“I am really looking forward to spring because I feel there’s a lot that we can accomplish,” Gano said. “One of my ideas for that time is to find a lot of land and create a garden where we could grow vegetables that could be donated to our local food pantries.
“We all know there is a need for that here in Wheeling, that is why I hope that’s possible next year,” she said. “We’re going to get as much done as we can before winter, and then we will go from there in 2021.”
