Recent Community Posts

West Virginia VOAD Conference

10/9/2024 (Permalink)

WV VOAD Conference 2024 SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley and Teays Valley was pleased to sponsor the 2024 WV VOAD conference.

"Throughout our history of natural disasters, West Virginians have learned to be resilient. Perhaps our friendly nature makes partnering during times of great difficulty so easy for West Virginians- Mountaineers are never afraid to lend a hand." -Adola Miller, Executive Director WV VOAD

These words ring so true! When we were asked to be a sponsor and have an exhibit at the West Virginia VOAD Conference that ran September 24th thru September 25th this year we were a little hesitant. At first, we wondered if we really belonged there.

The back story is this: WV VOAD is an acronym for West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters. WV VOAD collaborates with local, regional, and national partners to coordinate disaster relief, response, and recovery efforts in times of disaster. Find more at their website here https://www.wvvoad.org/about-us.

So why would an entity such as SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley and Teays Valley team up with a non-profit like WV VOAD?........ ; bottom line; PEOPLE.

SERVPRO®, WV VOAD, along with their partners are all about helping people recover from disasters. Some families do not have the resources, or physical capabilities to restore their property on their own after a disaster. This is where these non-profit organizations come into play. They can facilitate relief in many ways; one would be pairing people up with other agencies that can perform task like temporary housing, medical assistance, bridge building, counseling, and countless other services: services someone like SERVPRO does not offer.

Through the years we have worked around agencies like WV VOAD during disasters, but we may not have fully understood what all services they offered. During the conference we were able to network with various relief agency personnel and hear firsthand how they were able to meet people’s needs during some very tragic and trying times. Now, when we see a need for a service that we do not offer we know who to call to get these families the assistance they so desperately need. We now understand better how to help and steer our customers in the right direction thus helping in all facets of recovery.

SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley has a rich history of supporting our communities by giving of our time, talents and finances to those in need over our 34 years of existence and this conference has confirmed to us that we need to continue to support agencies like WV VOAD so we can all share in helping our fellow humans during their time of need.

If you would like to learn more about how you can help, and what services are offered at WV VOAD please visit the resource section of their website by following this link  https://www.wvvoad.org/resource-center

Hospice Golf Tounament

10/20/2023 (Permalink)

Hospicecare giveaways Our day started out a little foggy at The 13th annual Keith Stonestreet Golf Outing to benefit Hospicecare of West Virginia, but turned out to be a pi

SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley and SERVPRO of Teays Valley had a wonderful time hanging out with all the golfers, Hospice staff and volunteers for the The 13th annual Keith Stonestreet Golf Outing to benefit Hospicecare on September 7th and 8th. 

The Thursday evening before the tournament  we had the pleasure of attending a reception featuring   Rich Lerner, Golf Channel PGA Tour Host and Announcer at Edgewood Country Club. His challenging words motivated the crowd to give back to their communities and be there for those in need. He also had so many great stories of his days covering the PGA Tour. 

The next day we set up our tent on hole 10 at Edgewood golf course and we were able to interact with all the golfers as they teed off on hole 10 to try to win $50,000 for a hole-in-one! unfortunately no one won, although two participants hit the pin only to have their ball bounce off and back on to the green.

SERVPRO was able to give out Ball markers and a few other items to the participants who were very grateful.

We at SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley and SERVPRO of Teays Valley Loved giving back to the Hospice organization that does so much for our family and friends in the community.

Golfing FORE a Great Cause

10/9/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO sponsored Golf Team

On September 11th, 2020 Hospice care of West Virginia held their 10th annual golf outing at Edgewood golf course in Sissonville. For those who don’t know, Hospice Care is a type of health care that focuses on the palliation of a terminally ill patient's pain and symptoms and attending to their emotional and spiritual needs at the end of life. Hospice care prioritizes comfort and quality of life by reducing pain and suffering. We here at SERVPRO of North Kanawha and Teays Valley could not have been more ecstatic to have been involved.

As a sponsor of the event we were able to set up a tent on the 10th hole to meet and greet the golfers as they teed off on the back 9.  Business leaders from across the state turned out on a beautiful late summer day to participate in the event. The 10th hole was a particularly exciting hole as it contained a special sponsorship of its own. This slightly elevated, 165 yard, par 3 offered a $10,000 reward for anyone who could accomplish a hole in one. There were judges at the hole to confirm authenticity and we were honored to serve as judges at the tee box. Unfortunately no one was able to accomplish this feat, although a hold in one did occur on hole 4 that day.

As an added bonus this year, SERVPRO entered a foursome of our own into the competition. John Gaines and Matt Paxton of the North Kanawha and Teays Valley franchise participated with a couple of great guys from the local insurance community. After a hard fought match the group ended the round at 1 under par. Unfortunately they were slightly bested by the team from Snodgrass Funeral home who ended the day at 19 under. Perhaps our group could have used a few mulligans, and remember, if you or anyone you know could use a “do over,” be sure to contact that experts at SERVPRO of North Kanawha and Teays Valley…”Like it never even happened.”

2019 Day of Caring

10/1/2019 (Permalink)

2019 United Way Day of Caring. The SERVPRO team partnered with the United Way to assist KISRA at their office.

For the last several years, SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley and SERVPRO of Teays Valley has partnered with United Way in helping local non-profit organizations.  This Day of Caring helps in five separate counties around West Virginia and is one of the largest one-day volunteer events in the region.  Every year we are re-energized with the feeling of community and serving others as we volunteer and work within our abilities to help these organizations with up keep to their building. 

This year we were able to assist KISRA. KISRA programs offer areas of HEAL: Health, Employment, Asset Development, and Learning.  KISRA wants to work towards healing and strengthening families.  We were assigned with such tasks such as up keep to flower beds, painting, pressure washing and carpet cleaning.  When the day was done we were able to see how much they appreciated the hard work.   What a great feeling to give back to KISRA who give every day to help those whether less fortunate or just need extra help getting back on their feet. 

Per the United Way website The Day of Caring (https://www.unitedwaycwv.org/day-caring):

  • Promotes the spirit & value of volunteerism
  • Demonstrates the power & impact of United Way’s mission
  • Generates positive community relationships
  • Helps to develop contacts between volunteers, agencies & workplaces
  • Gives each of us an opportunity to roll up our sleeves and work together to make a difference

We at SERVPRO couldn’t agree more with these ideas.  We are daily striving to help achieve success by giving to our customers to make sure their home or business is restored to preloss conditions.  We strive to give, whether it is by volunteer efforts or just in your everyday interactions with others.  Albert Einstein said “Only a life lived for others in worth living”.  What a great reminder for each of us.  Be on the look out to serve or volunteer today.  It will be a decision you won’t regret.  Please check out both the United Way of Central WV and KISRA's  website to see the programs they offer.  There just might be an opportunity for you to either refer someone you know or to volunteer yourself. 

https://www.unitedwaycwv.org/

https://www.kisra.org/

Up,Up and away at the Yeager Airport Airshow

10/22/2018 (Permalink)

Loved seeing and interacting with Hercules and Greg of Fly Away Geese, the wildlife removal dogs at Yeager Airport!

What a great weekend SERVPRO had on October 13th and 14th at Yeager Airport in Charleston, WV for the Salute to Our Veterans and First Responder's Air Show!

SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley was a sponsor this year of this amazing event that included demonstrations from The US Army Golden Knights parachute team, as well as various stunt planes like The Canadian Harvard Aerobatic Team that performed amazing feats for the crowds. One of the stars s of the show were the adorable dogs of Fly Away Geese that are used as wildlife removal animals at the airport; they gave several demonstrations of their abilities during the show. There were also many aircraft parked on the tarmac that the public could tour and learn the history of how these wonderful aircraft contributed to history as well one company that offered helicopter rides over the city and airport. Also there were several souvenir and food vendors on site for those that came hungry, or wanted a memento of their time at the show.

As a sponsor, SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley was able to set up a display and promote our services to the general public and others who attended the event, but the main focus of our participation was to honor our Military personnel and First Responders. We gave out American Flag lapel pins and registered anyone in the Fire, Emt, Police, and military fields for custom knives. The general public was also included in a drawing for two $50.00 Rock City Cakes gift cards.

We hope that the opportunity presents itself to do this event next year as it was so much fun!

2017 United Way Day of Caring

10/9/2017 (Permalink)

2017 Day of Caring rally for Kanawha/ Putnam County

On September 20, 2017, volunteers gathered to kick-off a day of giving – giving in the form of volunteer work. Day of Caring is the largest one-day volunteer event in the region that provides an opportunity for individuals and businesses to perform hands-on service projects with nonprofit agencies in our community. Volunteers come from the community, businesses, nonprofits, educational institutions, civic and service organizations, schools, and local and state governments. 

Volunteers sign up as individuals or teams to help local nonprofits that request help with their projects. Lisa Hudnall, the Day of Caring Coordinator for United Way of Central WV, said," Oftentimes people don't know where to help or how to get started volunteering, so we consider the Day of Caring a good way for people to connect with nonprofits and understand their needs. Plus, it's a great way to meet people, help others and have fun! "   

This year we had the opportunity to help a local Senior Citizen Center in Buffalo, WV.  The seniors as well as the director were overly ecstatic about the help that was being provided.   While we were there we were able to clean up the front of their building.  Clean and organize the third floor of their facility for them to have more storage. We also organize all of their garage bays while providing them with much needed storage shelves.  It was a very humbling moment when we finally finished up.  We were very thankful for the opportunity to be involved in this amazing day yet again this year and look forward to another great year of volunteering with the United Way of Central West Virginia.


It's a credo. A mission. A goal. A constant reminder that when we reach out a hand to one, we influence the condition of all. We build the strength of our neighborhoods. We bolster the health of our communities. And we change the lives of those who walk by us every day.

http://www.unitedwaycwv.org/index.html

Teaching your children to handle the unexpected

9/1/2017 (Permalink)

Handling the Unexpected

It's that time of the year again.  Our children are returning to school and we continue our daily life of work.  Sometimes things happen and our children are left to fend for themselves for part of the day and sometimes the entire day.  This can come with some hesitation as we allow our children to grow up and fend for themselves.  Rest assure the more that you prepare them for this phenomenon the better off you both will be. Latchkey-kids.com  gives a handy list of suggested things to do to prepare everyone for when this may happen...

Handling the Unexpected

You can feel more confident about your absence if your child learns some basic skills that might come in handy during an emergency. Organizations such as the American Red Cross offer courses in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in local places like schools, hospitals, and community centers.

Before being left home alone home alone, your child should be able to complete certain tasks and safety precautions, such as:

  • knowing when and how to call 911 and what address information to give the dispatcher
  • knowing how to work the home security system, if you have one, and what to do if the alarm is accidentally set off
  • locking and unlocking doors
  • working the phone/cell phone (in some areas, you have to dial 1 or the area code to dial out)
  • turning lights off and on
  • operating the microwave

Knowing what to do if:

  • there's a small fire in the kitchen
  • the smoke alarm goes off
  • there's a tornado or other severe weather
  • a stranger comes to the door
  • someone calls for a parent who isn't home
  • there's a power outage

Regularly discuss some emergency scenarios — ask what your child would do if, for example, he or she smelled smoke, a stranger knocked at the door, or someone called for you while you're gone.

http://www.latchkey-kids.com/latchkey-kids-age-limits.htm

Saving Lives One Home At A Time.

8/24/2017 (Permalink)

Saving Lives One Home at a Time

This fall, Red Cross volunteers and our partners will install 100,000 free smoke alarms in high risk neighborhoods nationwide. Sound the Alarm installation and fire safety events will take place in more than 100 communities across the country, providing a lifesaving service in our quest to reduce death and injury from home fires.

Every day, seven people die in home fires. Most, in homes that lack working smoke alarms. Sadly, children and the elderly disproportionately lose their lives. That’s why the Red Cross rallied an army of volunteers and launched our Home Fire Campaign in 2014. Since then, they've accomplished so much.

Each year, the Red Cross responds to nearly 64,000 disasters, the vast majority of which are home fires. So we set a goal to reduce fire-related deaths and injuries in the US by 25% by 2020.

If you or your companies are looking for a cause that you can be involved in and know that directly saves lives, I would suggest this one. Join us as we "Sound The Alarm" with the American Red Cross.

The importance of renters Insurance for our Charleston, WV customers.

9/19/2016 (Permalink)

If there is a disaster that occurs at rented home, or apartment your contents are usually not covered unless you have a rental Insurance policy

In a World of economic unrest, it is not unusual for people to try to find ways to cut the cost of their monthly budget. It is also common for human beings to believe that nothing bad will happen to them and that disasters only happen to other people.This is a dangerous train of thought because we know from countless examples that disasters happen unexpectedly and can happen to anyone.

SERVPRO sees the results of this kind of thinking way too many times when it comes to rental property.

Some renters have the idea that nothing bad is going to happen, their stuff is not worth insuring, and hey, if a catastrophe does happen to come about, the landlord will take care of it.

Those ideas couldn’t be farther from the truth.

We at SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley has been called by property managers all over the Charleston area to countless apartment fires, or water damages in rental properties only to have to tell the renter that their contents are not covered and they will either have to try to clean them themselves, or hire us to clean and restore them. When the renter realizes that a payment of as little as $15.00 a month for a renters insurance policy could have saved them thousands of dollars, it is not a pretty sight to see.

Please take a moment to check these common myths about renters insurance, so you can make an intelligent choice when it comes to protecting your valuables:

http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2013/09/12/4-common-myths-about-renters-insurance

Edward Jones and Home Builders Association of Greater Charleston Business After Hours

3/22/2016 (Permalink)

Business after hours_gazette_3_8_16

The South Charleston Chamber of Commerce held a Business After Hours event hosted by Edward Jones and the Home Builders Association of Greater Charleston on March 8.  SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley/ Teays Valley WV are proud members of the SC Chamber as well as the Home Builders Association of Greater Charleston.  The above picture is from the Charleston gazette-mail from Sunday 20, 2016. 

Putnam County Business of the Month

1/20/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley and SERVPRO of Teays Valley has been recognized as Putnam County Business of the Month for January 2016. It is really rewarding to be acknowledged for our team’s hard work and endeavors.  Our goal is to go on to offer the best service and support possible to our customers and the local community.

SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley and SERVPRO of Teays Valley provides cleanup and restoration services following a fire, water or even mold-related damage.  Additional services  offered include: cleaning and restoration of specialty items, such as HVAC duct systems; building exteriors; electronic equipment, including computers, and documents that have sustained water damage.

To view the full interview from the Putnam Chamber of Commerce, please click on the following link.  http://putnamchamber.org/

35th Annual Charleston, WV Christmas Parade

12/7/2015 (Permalink)

Merry Christmas from SERVPRO

Saturday, December 5th was an exciting day for SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley and SERVPRO of Teays Valley!  This was the first year that SERVPRO has participated in the City of Charleston, WV Christmas parade.  There was a huge turn-out at the parade, as the streets were filled with spectators.  Thank you for the large participation from both franchises.  We had about 15 employees and their families in attendance.  Our SERVPRO family had a lot of fun and was honored to be a participant in the 35th annual parade!  We hope you have a safe and happy holiday season.

2015 Drumstick Dash

12/4/2015 (Permalink)

The SERVPRO Green Gobblers getting ready for run the Union Mission Drumstick Dash 5k!

It was our pleasure this year to once again be a co-sponsor for the Union Mission Drumstick Dash.  It is a great chance for our SERVPRO family to get out in the community and “shuffle our feet so others can eat.”  The opportunity to walk with one another and reflect on what we have been thankful for through life and business was a great reminder of how truly blessed we are to help those who are less fortunate.  We would like to say Happy Holiday’s from our SERVPRO family to yours! 

2014 Drumstick Dash

1/5/2015 (Permalink)

The SERVPRO Green Gobblers 2014

SERVPRO was proud to be a part of the annual Union Mission Drumstick Dash on Thanksgiving morning.

The SERVPRO Green Gobblers braved the elements to "shuffle their feet, so others can eat".

This annual event has become one of the largest charity events in the Charleston, WV and Kanawha Valley area. 

Run For The Wall 2014

5/23/2014 (Permalink)

"All gave some, some gave all" - Thank You!

We have been so privileged to be able to participate as sponsors for the Run For the Wall motorcycle tribute when it rides in to Hurricane, WV. We had a great time providing a bike wash and helping the Star Touring 197 Bike Club in making this day the best it could be for those who were able to ride for those who cant.

Home and Garden Show, Charleston, WV 2014

4/23/2014 (Permalink)

Charleston, WV Home and Garden Show; Then and Now.

Things sure have changed over the years. This pic shows just how far SERVPRO of North Kanawha County has come.

The 1991 Home and Garden Show in Charleston, WV were very simple; with one banner, a brochure, or two, and a few, now antiquated, pieces of equipment.

In contrast, this years show was comprised of a multi-media presentation, thousands of give-away items, Literature on every service SERVPRO of North Kanawha County provides, with SERVPRO banners, table-skirts, and various other visually pleasing SERVPRO items inviting potential customers in to our booth.

Local school-group visits SERVPRO

12/20/2013 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley & Teays Valley was glad to help!

A group of students with Bible Center School in Charleston, WV, visited SERVPRO on a field trip to research cleanup and recovery from flooding. The kids are part of a robotics team that competes yearly in the First Lego League tournament (http://www.firstlegoleague.org/)

Here is a nice newspaper article about their team.

http://www.charlestondailymail.com/News/201312050147

SERVPRO Helps rescue mission in Charleston, WV

12/13/2013 (Permalink)

The SERVPRO "Green Gobblers"

SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley & Teays Valley hooked up with Union Mission Ministries  http://unionmission.com/ as a race sponsor for thier 3rd annual Drumstick Dash.

The race is a 5k run/walk that takes place on Thanksgiving Morning. The race raises funds for the missions Christmas food distributions to needy folks in the Charleston, WV area.

Red Cross Blood Drive

8/27/2013 (Permalink)

SERVPRO and The American Red Cross; a winning combination.

The Red Cross surpassed their blood drive goal Friday night, and SERVPRO was able to pass out several cases of the co-branded safety tubes to participants.
The safety tubes consisted of an emergency light, a pouch of water, an emergency blanket, mask, and whistle.
SERVPRO was also able to educate the donors on the American Red Cross Ready Rating plan, and the SERVPRO Ready program.
Big thanks to all who attended!