McDowell Chamber of Commerce Officer Mary Lou Odum is pictured presenting a $3500 check to Harold and Vicky McBride for Stop the Hurt, the local child advocacy center for abused children. The money was raised through the May 10th gala at the Welch Armory. Congressman Nick Rahall contributed $500 of the amount, and the remainder came from the ticket sales.

The McDowell Chamber of Commerce hosted the event and the McBrides were two of the few volunteers who helped organize it.
“We were very pleased to have netted that much money for Stop the Hurt,” Harold McBride said. “It was costly to stage the gala. Expenses included catering, armory rental, screen, projector and PA system rental, and decorations.
“We also want to thank Governor Manchin for being the speaker and others who attended or participated in any way.”
Besides Congressman Rahall, others sponsors included: Carl & Ruth Ann Urps, Omar & Weena Aboulhosn, Sen. Truman Chafin, MCNB Banks, Clark Construction, Cucumber & Company, Sen. John Fanning, Flowers by Jenny, Wade Duvall, Eddie Asbury and McBride Electric. (Photo by Cathy Patton)