CHARLESTON – The West Virginia Oil Marketers & Grocers Association (OMEGA) hosted its 6th annual Every Child Deserves a Loving Home campaign kickoff at the West Virginia Governor’s Mansion last week. The fundraising campaign, benefiting the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia (CHSWV), runs through Mother’s Day, May 8.

“Every child deserves a loving home, and there are too many of West Virginia’s children living with crisis in the family,” said Jan Vineyard, president of OMEGA. “This campaign will provide funds to the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia, which has shelters and provides assistance programs in every corner of the state, to help those children and families in critical need.”

There are more than 4,000 West Virginia children in out-of-home care and 1,200 children in need of adoption. All monies raised through this statewide effort go toward the Children’s Home Society’s assistance programs, which include emergency child shelters, foster care, adoption support, mentoring, early intervention and numerous other family support programs.

West Virginia First Lady – and mother – Joanne Jaeger Tomblin, helped kickoff the campaign from the Governor’s Mansion by reading stories to children who have been adopted through the Children’s Home Society. The children and others in attendance heard a brief performance from CHSWV board member and 2010 America’s Got Talent Winner Landau Eugene Murphy Jr.

“We are so appreciative of Mrs. Tomblin for allowing us to kick off this truly worthwhile cause at West Virginia’s ceremonial home – the Governor’s Mansion, and to Landau for the wonderful serenade. Their generosity allows us to highlight the great need that exists for helping West Virginia’s children,” Vineyard added. “This effort not only gives back to the communities where our members operate, but demonstrates the true philanthropic nature of our industry and our members. We encourage individuals across the state to assist in this effort by visiting their local participating convenience or grocery store.”

Brightly-colored, Mother’s Day-themed, paper flowers will be sold for $1 each at nearly 500 OMEGA-member convenience and grocery stores throughout the state, including Little General Stores, Inc.; Par Mar Oil Company; BFS Foods, Inc.; Go-Mart, Inc.; TWJ, Inc.; R. T. Rogers Oil Company; R.M. Roach & Sons; Petersburg Oil Company; Mini-Giants and the Kanawha City Foodland.

Mary White, chief operations officer for the Children’s Home Society, said, “Our organization assisted 13,027 children from 13 locations last year and the need for help continues to be overwhelming. The West Virginia Oil Marketers and Grocer’s Association’s Every Child Deserves a Loving Home campaign has become paramount to the well-being of West Virginia’s children and families. The continued dedication and support enables the Children’s Home Society to find homes for children, support families and change their lives forever.”

OMEGA raised nearly $80,000 during this effort last year and more than $2.2 million since 2003 for charities that improve the health, safety and well-being of West Virginia children.