Dave Langford Memorial Food Drive

Dave Langford was a 1977 graduate of Princeton High School in Princeton, WV and later graduated from Bluefield State College in Bluefield, WV with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology. He spent a successful 32 year career with Appalachian Power Company (later American Electric Power) in Beckley, WV, primarily working in external affairs and customer service, and also served in a lobbyist capacity in Charleston, WV supporting various public interests. 

Throughout his career Dave was involved with various chambers of commerce, United Way, Rotary Clubs, Foundations and a host of additional community service organizations in southern West Virginia. He took an active role in numerous service projects of the Beckley Rotary Club, and was involved with both the Beckley-Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Southern West Virginia. He also was instrumental in arranging for the establishment of the American Electric Power Company Community Services Fund at the Beckley Area Foundation. This donor-advised fund addresses health, housing and hunger issues for low-income households and senior citizens.

Dave had a special passion for golf, events with family and friends and providing food for the hungry. Given this, It was only fitting that the Rotary Club of Beckley begin an annual food drive to support area food banks in his honor in partnership with AEP and the Beckley Area Foundation. The first drive was conducted in 2014, this will be the eighth year the drive has been conducted.

Last year we donated $8,000 to five area food banks as a result of the drive, $4,000 of which was provided by the Beckley Area Foundation. This year we will continue to donate to those local pantries that have made the most difference during a very tough year for our area’s hungry families.    Please make your check payable to the “Beckley Rotary Charities Fund” as a tax deductible donation and send it to the Beckley Rotary at PO Box 5151, Beckley, WV 25802 

at any time.  If you wish to use your charge card you may mail a request to the address above and notify our Treasurer of your intent with your name and contact information.  

Our goal is to collect at least $8,000. by Friday, March 19th….as we remember those who have struggled more than ever this year.  Thank you for your vital support!!!    

The charities we support locally are listed below.

Respectfully,    Carol McCarthy, Beckley Rotary Community Service Chair   703-587-4453

Giving Tuesday is a worldwide initiative created in 2012 as a simple idea to encourage people to do good. As Rotarians, it is within our mission to build goodwill and serve others before ourselves. Giving Tuesday is a way for people to use their individual power through generosity to remain connected to their communities. The COVID-19 pandemic has hit our community hard and we are reaching out to our Club members to not only participate in Giving Tuesday this year, but to bring a little Christmas Magic to local kids in the greater Raleigh County.

Dr. Kristi Williams Dumas and April Elkins Badtke are working collaboratively with schools and community resource centers to identify families and assess their needs. At the encouragement of the board, we are looking to raise $10,000 to meet the most pressing needs for our local kids.

To date we have secured $3,180. Of that amount, $1500 is from our program budget. We would like to thank the following individuals who have already pledged or donated:

• Jim Reed
• Nancy Kissenger
• Todd McGregor
• Ken Dunlap
• April Elkins Badtke
• Dan McCarthy
• Dennis McCormick
• Michelle Rotolini
• Jordan Woodridge
• Kelly Elkins
• Rick and Pat Macak
• Dr. Kristi Williams Dumas
• Tom Lilly
• Devon Miller (NM—Facebook friend!)

So, quick math will tell you we need $6,820 to make our goal. Can we count on you? We would love to see every Rotarian donate $100 to this initiative.

We can make is simple for you– Click the link below and make your donation.

Email Dennis McCoromick mccored07@gmail.com to ask him to add a pledge to your bill.

Text April—304-731-3879 and tell us what you want to give and method of payment.

**Every donation of at least $50 we receive up until Dec 14, will be entered in a drawing for a gift certificate for dinner for two (a $100 value).

We thank you in advance for your generosity and for making Christmas extra special for our local kids.

Fundraiser closes at Dec 14…

Beckley Rotary Club has our members and their families in mind as we do our part to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. To honor the requests of our leaders at the national, state and local levels of limiting large social gatherings and to minimize direct contact we are officially cancelling our meetings for the remainder of March. At the end of the month we will re-evaluate the status of this virus and the directives given to us and will notify membership with plans for the month of April.

If you want to make up meetings or continue to learn and engage in Rotary service, there is the Mountain State Rotary E-Club (www.msre.gov). Access is available 24/7/365. All you need is a computer or mobile phone, attend the meeting of your choice, and complete the make-up form at: https://www.msre.org/page/how-to-do-a-makeup
The Mountain State Rotary E-Club will send a make-up note to our club secretary who will record the meeting as attended.

We will miss our weekly fellowship, but our health is the utmost importance right now. We ask that you continue to practice good hygiene–wash your hands, limit touching your face, no handshaking or hugging, and limit large crowds for now.

Reach out to club leadership if you need assistance.

What Is Beckley Rotary Club?