On a hot August day, an elderly neighbor walked into the Catholic Charities West Virginia office in Parkersburg looking for help. His electric service was set to be disconnected that very day, and the amount he owed felt impossible to manage on his own.
Program Assistant, Keith Eddy, got to work right away. He reached out to community partners and also sent the neighbor home with a list of local agencies and churches that might be able to help. Over the next few days, Keith stayed in touch by phone, checking in and continuing to look for solutions.
Not long after, the power was shut off. Without electricity, the neighbor was left without air conditioning during a stretch of intense summer heat. The days were difficult, and the nights brought little rest.
As support from partner churches began to come together, Keith called to share the news. With their help, along with support from the Sisters Health Foundation, Catholic Charities West Virginia was able to cover the remaining balance and restore his power.
Relief came quickly. “I am so tired because I haven’t been able to sleep much at night with the heat,” he shared, “but now I’m excited to get home and get some sleep in the AC.”
In a moment of real need, a caring community came together to bring comfort, rest, and peace of mind.
