April 2, 2025 • 36 mins
Jon Dower, executive director of West Virginia Sober Living on Prevention Day in Charleston.
Dr. Krishna Argarwal from the West Virginia University Transplant Alliance on Donate Life Month
Chele Adams on the First Annual Knit for Food event in Morgantown
Dr. Krishna Argarwal from the West Virginia University Transplant Alliance on Donate Life Month
Chele Adams on the First Annual Knit for Food event in Morgantown
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
This is the Talk of the Town from Morgantown to Klerksburg.
If it's happening, we're talking about it. Call the show
toll free at one eight hundred seven sixty five eight
two five five. Now Here is your host for the
Talk of the Town, Mike Notlting.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Good Tuesday morning. It is nine oh seven. This is
Talk of the Town and welcome to your program highlighting
your town and the things that are important to you
and your family. I'm Mike Nolting. Now you can find
me out on x formally Twitter at your news guy.
We'd love to hear from you at some point throughout
(00:41):
the show today. You can do that by texting us
at three oh four Talk three oh four. That number
again is three oh four, Talk three oh four. Today,
gotta spend a few minutes with John Dower from West
Virginia Sober Living Now. John is also the re representative
(01:01):
to the West Virginia First Foundation. The foundation designated to
distribute more than one billion dollars of opioid settlement money.
Tomorrow is Prevention Day at the state Capitol. We're going
to talk with John about that. And back on Friday,
the Foundation released a set of grants, and we're going
(01:21):
to talk with John about those grants and maybe the
next cycle that is coming up this month Today starts
Donate Life Month. And I've got doctor Krishna Agerol from
he is the Medal Medical Director of Kidney Transplantation for
the WVU Medicine Transplant Alliance. He's going to spend a
(01:45):
few minutes with us and inform us about how we
can become an organ donor get registered and what the
benefits are and maybe some of some stories that he
can tell us of other people who have benefited from
the organ donation program. At nine forty, I've got Shell Adams.
Shell and I are going to be talking about a
(02:06):
nitathon that's coming up on Saturday. That nitathon is designed
to fight hunger. They're going to get together at the
Ascend Building on University Avenue for twelve hours from ten
am Saturday morning until ten pm Saturday night. They're going
to have a nit athon to raise awareness for of
(02:28):
hunger in the area and across the state. Admission into
this event is a non perishable food item. Now, all
the proceeds. The list of organizations that they're going to
help here are Feeding America, the World central kitchen, no
kid hungry and meals on wheels. So we'll talk with
(02:50):
Shelle about that coming up at nine to forty. Few headlines.
There certainly is a lot going on. The Fairmont community
remains in shock following the announcement of the closure of Novellas.
They employ about two hundred. There are members of the
United steel Workers union. The company sided their North American
(03:12):
consolidation plan and say they'll end aluminum production for good
at that facility on June the thirtieth. Now, I spoke
with the union representative on Monday, and the union representative said, basically,
don't have a comment right now, but I think that
(03:32):
they're probably working up to something. A Michigan man's been
ordered to serve nine years in federal prison for bringing
quantities of dangerous drugs to the Clarksburg area. Forty two
year old Jacent Scruggs of Clinton, Michigan was caught with
more than four hundred grams of meth and forty grams
of fentanyl during the investigation. Now, he's also ordered to
(03:56):
put in three years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
In Bridgeport City councilors have scheduled a special meeting to
discuss the future of newly hired city manager Pat Ford.
That meeting is coming up at five pm on Thursday.
The readout from council is that Ford was brought on.
(04:19):
One of the objectives that he was given was to
dig into the workplace culture. So back in February, Ford
started an investigation. Now he says that the purpose of
his termination, if it happens, could be to keep the
findings of that investigation under wraps. Now that meeting is
(04:39):
coming up on Thursday at five o'clock, and you know,
just hiring Pat Ford for the city that it took
over a year to find that guy. If we have time,
we'll get into some of that later, because if they
do get rid of him, I would I'd say we'd
(04:59):
have to buckle up for another big time search.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
Well.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
One of six convicted in the Pagan motorcycle club killing
of Henry silver Back in twenty twenty two has been sentenced.
Twenty eight year old Austin Mullins got a total of
fifty five years in state prison. He was implicated in
this in this crime through testimony of the Pagan club
(05:23):
member John Wolf. Now Wolf was reportedly the person that
ordered the killing of Silver when he learned that he
was involved with his significant other. Now Wolf has already
been convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to a
life in prison. Got to take a quick break, and
when we come back, we'll spend a few minutes with
(05:46):
John Dower. John again, he is with West Virginia Sober
Living and also the West Virginia First Foundation. We're going
to be talking about Prevention Day coming to the State
Capitol on Wednesday. That's next.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Now back to the talk of the town.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
Good Tuesday morning, nine seventeen clouds and thirty six in
the University City Metro Newszach you Weather says we will
see some clearing today. I don't know about sunshine, but
maybe fewer clouds and a high temperature of fifty three
degrees coming up tomorrow at the State Capitol. It is
Prevention Day. On the grounds and on the phone, we've
(06:37):
got John Dower. John's with West Virginia Sober Living and
also the West Virginia First Foundation. Hey John, good morning.
How are you.
Speaker 4 (06:46):
Good morning, sir, I'm doing well. How about yourself?
Speaker 2 (06:48):
Hey, I'm doing good. I'm doing good. Thank you very much. Now,
I guess let's find out a little bit about you
and then we'll find out what you think about prevention day,
what it means to you because you're in extended recovery.
Is that correct?
Speaker 4 (07:05):
That is correct? So I'm a little over thirteen years
at this point.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Wow, thirteen years. So when you think about prevention day, John,
and plus with your job, all the people that you
come in contact with, what do you think?
Speaker 4 (07:22):
So, unfortunately, we have a multi generational problem in West Virginia,
and it's not just substance use. It is pervasive poor
outcomes of health overall, from two high rates of cancer
to diabetes, and certainly when it comes to substance use.
It's going to save our society a lot of money
(07:45):
if we prevent a disorder from happening to begin with.
And we have an uphill battle in West Virginia. We
have grandparents raising grandchildren, we have two high rates of incarceration.
Prevention to me is about doing our best to stop
it where we're not going to catch everyone with prevention.
(08:07):
That's not a realistic expectation. But when we use valid,
reliable approaches and provide the data that that prevention really
does prevent, not just substitute disorder, but other poor outcomes
due to social determines of health. We stand to really
flourish and allow our economic drivers in West Virginia to grow.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
You know, John, the recent news of a decrease in
overdose deaths, does that give you any hope or encouragement.
Speaker 4 (08:38):
Sure, I'm always encouraged when we look at reduction overdose depths.
To me, one is too many, though, so there's plenty
of work to do, and there's not enough hands to
do it, and there's not enough silver bullets and are
gun to make that a reality, so we can prevent
it from happening. To begin with, I kind of work
my way out of my day job if we do
with it. But I'd be happy the sidestep to a
(09:01):
different career if we could put an end the substance
use disorder in our communities.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
John Dower with West Virginia Sober Living is with us
and we're talking about Prevention Day that'll be held at
the state Capitol tomorrow. John, one big difference that I've noticed,
and actually it's kind of kind of a morbid difference.
But you know, used to you would come into work
after a weekend and doing the news there would be
all kinds of rumors about there was an overdose in
(09:29):
South Park, or there was an overdose here or there,
and you would end up chasing those leads down and ultimately,
you know, at sometimes you would find out that, yeah,
there was a fatal overdose. But you know what, I
don't I haven't been doing that as much lately.
Speaker 4 (09:50):
I can't say I hate hearing that so use still occurs.
Law enforcement is doing a terrific job. Our government is
doing everything that they can to prevent the flow of
substances into our communities. Then when substances get into our communities,
we have to intervene as early as possible what we
kind of talk about as secondary prevention, and try to
(10:13):
prevent a disorder from progressing. And if we can't, we
have to use really targeted approaches, like treatment approaches, really
in a tertiary prevention sort of way to prevent really
poor outcomes, much like overdose dess. The lockson narcana as
you see across the state and across the country being distributed,
(10:37):
is a form of prevention. We're trying to prevent this,
get people healthy and well and get them back into
the workforce.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
You know, John, when I sit back and look at
the I guess the suite or the continuum of care
that's offered in this community, from Lauren's Wish to West
Virginia Sober Living to all the different organizations. It would
have peers if we have a robust system, Is that
the case? Is that the case?
Speaker 4 (11:06):
Sure, we're missing pieces in our continuum of care. If
you look at the American Society of Addiction Medicine, it
provides very distinct levels of care all the way from
prevention to the high end being hospital based treatment or
what they call an ASAM level four point zero. There
are gaps in our continuum of care, but no state
(11:28):
and no system is perfect. And even if you have
the perfect system of care, you're not going to be
able to affect change on one hundred percent of the
population that's experiencing subt's use disorder. Some people are constitutionally
incapable of bringing about change, or they don't want to,
or that there are other extenuating factors, such as mental
(11:51):
health conditions that can make treatment for subtans use disorder
resistant to treatment as usual.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
We've got John Dower with us from West Virginia Sober
Living and we're talking about Preventvening Day that is coming
up tomorrow at the State Capitol. If you've got a
question or a comment, you can text it at three
oh four Talk three four. Recently, the First Foundation made
another round of grant awards. What can you tell us
(12:20):
about the process at the foundation?
Speaker 4 (12:24):
So it wasn't really a new round of grant awards,
it was a continuation of the last round. The West
Virginia First Foundation staff was very objective in their first
round of fundings, so there were required documents and paperwork
that had to be turned in. If for any reason
one was left out, one was entered incorrectly, it kind
(12:45):
of kicked them out of the moving onto the grading process. However,
as the First Foundation, we want to help agencies improve
and we don't We want to be able to provide
second chances because we know our communities are at stake here.
So those individuals or organizations that get kicked out of
the first round of funding or the first initial awards
(13:07):
were allowed to participate in the supplemental round of funding
where the First Foundation staff reached out to them got
the required documentation to get them on to the process
in which they could be scored. These were in the
same four major priority areas including recovery, housing, NEO NATO ADID,
Syndrome and child advocacy centers, pregnant and postpartum women, prevention
(13:38):
and diversion and interdictions. So these weren't new areas, nor
was it a new funding process. It was just a
continuation for the grantees that weren't able to get their
application through it.
Speaker 2 (13:51):
I missed your last meeting, and that was the very
first one that I've ever missed that you've had. But
the meeting prior to that, there was much discussion brought
up about this Second Chance program and the fact that
they did want to help and include as many agencies
as possible. So I guess moving forward, is there a
(14:12):
way to maybe pre check so you don't end up
in the Second Chance plan.
Speaker 4 (14:19):
I certainly believe that we will continue to look at
our process and make adjustments and evaluate what's effective and
what's not effective for us as a foundation. But further,
we just don't want to be a granting agency. We
just don't want to be a funder. We want to
be a think tank. We want to be someone that
you can come to for guidance. There's a lot of things.
(14:42):
We want the firstbation to be a public private partnership
with our local communities and our state. We just don't
want to be looked at as simply someone you come
to for fund So I believe, like many opioid Abatement
boards across the country, we're kind of building the plane
and flying it at the same time, and there will
(15:04):
be continuous self reflection and adjustment as necessary to meet
the needs of our state.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
And you know, in those conversations when you talk about,
you know, not wanting to be just a funding agency,
but really find worthwhile programs that are making a difference
that can be scaled up. I think is the term
that is used a lot by members among the board.
But you're finding those programs when you go out and
(15:32):
beat the bushes in the state, are you.
Speaker 4 (15:35):
Yeah, certainly there are great programs in our state that
are do amazing work. However, sometimes things aren't scalable. So
what may work in Morgantown, West Virginia, may not work
in Maitland, West Virginia, because your resources are different, you
have different barriers, your population is different, and oftentimes the
culture is a little different. Job opportunities are different. So
(15:58):
not only do you need to be able to to
identify what works, but where is it going to work?
And that's part of the process of the feedback loops
that the First Foundation will take a look at and
try to find programs that really meet the needs of
a specific community rather than try to force a square
peg into a roundhole, so to speak.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
Got John Dower with US. John is with West Virginia
Sober living in the West Virginia First Foundation. I've always
gotten the impression during these meetings that if somebody needed
help with an application, help is not far.
Speaker 4 (16:37):
Away, certainly, and I can speak for Region four. I
was able to find a couple university state universities that
we're working together and offered assistance to any applicant that
needed assistance in any of the paperwork or the grant
writing process, etc. And as long as i'm the repe
(17:00):
end of the Region four, I will continue to do
so because my goal is to bring as much funding
into our communities to meet the needs as possible. And
I think in this first full round of funding, from
the one in December to the supplemental part, we've done
a terrific job making sure that Region four was highlighted
and supported in a way that will bring about meaningful
(17:23):
change in our community.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
Can you give us a timeline on the next opportunity.
Speaker 4 (17:28):
There isn't yet a timeline. I think that's yet to
be fleshed out. I would anticipate something in the twenty
twenty five calendar year, but I think it would be
a little presumptuous, persumptuous of me to give dates at
this point in time.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
Okay, perfect, perfect, Okay. John, Hey listen, keep up the
good work and really do appreciate time today.
Speaker 4 (17:50):
Hey, Mike, thanks for having me and I'm happy to
come back anytime.
Speaker 2 (17:53):
Absolutely, take care of yourself, John, always great to talk
with you. John Dower, West Virginia Sober Living. Of course,
tomorrow is prevention Day at the state Capitol. You know,
a couple of stories have been kind of, I guess,
kind of squirreling around the edges, and they've just been
the type of stories that you really can't get your
(18:13):
fingers on. I'll give you an example. In another state,
there was a conservation department that shut all their programs
down because they were concerned about the availability of federal
grants and made a call to some local agencies. Here
in this state and really got a mixed bag of response,
(18:35):
but the main response is that I received was you
know what, we're not really ready to talk yet because
we're trying to figure out how to respond to this.
But if you'll give us an opportunity to work this
out amongst ourselves, then maybe give us a call back
in three weeks and we can give you some more information. Then.
(18:57):
Another situation like that has been the termination of employees
at netle here in Morgantown and Niosh, And this morning,
I can confirm to you that Niosh employees have confirmed
to us that more than one hundred sixty workers have
(19:17):
been let go. Now the release says that they have
been placed on administrative leave until June thirtieth, and several
of those workers receive those riff notices this week. So
employees of Niosh are now telling us that more than
a one hundred and sixty workers at that organization will
(19:41):
be on the street on June thirtieth. And phone calls
to NETTLE directed us to Washington, d C. And we
really absolutely got zero information from the Washington d C.
Office of NETTLE.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
We are talking about your town. Now back to the
talk of the.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
Town, Well, good Tuesday morning. It is nine thirty five.
Today is the first day of April. And I know
what you're thinking, but that's not what it is. Because
today we kick off Donate Life Month and to do that,
I've got doctor Krishna Agerwaal with West Virginia University with
(20:32):
the West Virginia University Transplant Alliance. Good morning, doctor, how
are you?
Speaker 3 (20:37):
Good morning? I'm good, Mike.
Speaker 2 (20:38):
How are you hey, I'm doing very well. Thank you.
I guess tell us why should we be organ donors? Doctor?
Speaker 3 (20:46):
So, organ donation is the best and the most fruitful
gift anybody can give another human being, and one organ
donor can save up to eight lives by their organs,
including the two cordneas which can give vision to people,
and then they can heal additional seventy five people by
way of tissue donation, which is skin crafting and other tissues.
(21:08):
So essentially, what you're giving is not just an organ
it's basically a chance for someone to spend more time
with their loved ones and someone to.
Speaker 4 (21:16):
Make more.
Speaker 3 (21:18):
Efforts in the community and contribute more towards the community.
Speaker 2 (21:23):
Is there any estimate or any knowledge of how many
people that are maybe out there waiting for an organ.
Speaker 3 (21:30):
Oh yes, So in the country, we have about one
hundred thousand people currently waiting for life saving organs. In
West Virginia that number is five hundred and the vast
majority eighty six percent of these are waiting for kidneys.
And unfortunately, out of the one hundred thousand, we only
do about twenty eight thousand transplants every year, and the
(21:51):
list keeps growing because of the scarcity of these organs.
Speaker 2 (21:54):
How many transplants are done here in Morgantown each year.
Speaker 3 (22:00):
Relatively new program and we are growing rapidly. So this
year we have already done about six transplants, actively doing
one now and as we continue to grow, we will
definitely match up to the bigger programs in the country.
Speaker 2 (22:17):
And how do you can you walk us through how
this happens? Someone presents a problem, they've got a bad
kidney and they need a new one. Take it from there, please,
So if.
Speaker 3 (22:29):
Yeah, so, if they have bad kidneys, which is kidney failure,
they essentially have two options. One is dialysis and the
other is kidney transplant. The kidney transplant, as you can imagine,
is a more natural treatment for their kidney failure. Where
they don't have to get hooked up to a machine
to clean their blood out. It's having another person's kidney
(22:49):
that does a regular kidney's work for them. So they
would call into a transplant program or the WU Transplant
Alliance office and our coordinators will briefly go over their
medical history, educate them about the transplant process, and then
schedule them for their initial evaluation, which would be it's
a one day visit where they meet all the team
(23:10):
members at the transplant office, including the surgeons, the nefrologists,
the social workers, the dieticians and the goal is to
educate them about organ transplants so that they have complete
information about what to expect after a kidney transplant, and
also to do basic workup to make sure that organ
transplant will truly benefit them so that we don't end
(23:33):
up harming them.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
Doctor Krishna Aggerol is with us with the West Virginia
University Transplant Alliance. How long does it take to I guess,
be evaluated and then receive a transplant?
Speaker 3 (23:50):
So the evaluation process can vary depending on what testing
they need, but our goal is to get everybody through
the initial evaluation with ninety days and then make a decision.
Once they are accepted, once their evaluation is satisfactory, they
are placed on a national waiting list that is maintained
by UNOS, the United Network for Organ Sharing, and then
(24:13):
it really depends on their time on the waiting list
and the blood group. The average waiting time to get
a kidney in this area is about six to eight years,
and sometimes you can get an organ sooner if it's
a perfect match. But yeah, so there are some intricacies
to the matching process, but on an average six to
eight years.
Speaker 2 (24:33):
Are are we capable of doing, say, a heart transplant here?
Speaker 3 (24:39):
Yes, we do heart transplants and kidney transplants for WU.
Speaker 2 (24:42):
And have you done a heart transplant for example? We
have yes, okay, okay, And how many of those have
you done?
Speaker 3 (24:53):
So? I think we have done about five heart transplants
so far, and that may vary a little bit, but
to the best of my knowledge, it's been five so far.
Speaker 2 (25:03):
And those organs come from that national network. Is that correct?
Speaker 3 (25:09):
That is correct?
Speaker 4 (25:09):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (25:10):
How do people register to become an organ donor?
Speaker 3 (25:15):
So you can register in different ways. The easiest would
be to go log on to register me dot org.
That's the website. You can log onto and register at
any point. It's also at the DMV you can register
to be an organ donor during your licensing process and
then you could get more information about the donation process
(25:35):
at donatelife dot net or at the WU transpend Alliances website.
Speaker 2 (25:40):
Okay, perfect, Doctor Krishna Aggerwald. Really do appreciate your time today, sir.
Thank you.
Speaker 3 (25:47):
You're most welcome.
Speaker 1 (25:48):
Mike.
Speaker 3 (25:48):
Have a good day.
Speaker 2 (25:49):
Absolutely you too, sir. Right now, clouds and thirty six degrees.
When we come back, we're going to talk about a
net athon that is coming up on satur It'll be
from ten am until ten pm at the Ascend Building
on University Avenue. We're going to talk with Shelle Adams
coming up next about that on wajr's Talk of the
(26:14):
Town on AM fourteen forty and FM on AM fourteen
forty and FM one oh four point five. W A
j R. Will be right back.
Speaker 1 (26:39):
Join the conversation at one eight hundred and seven sixty
five eight two fivey five. This is the Talk of
the Town.
Speaker 2 (26:48):
And Good Tuesday Morning coming up on this Saturday. It
is the first annual Morgantown Knit for Food, the Nitathon
and craft Day. It's going to be held over at
the Send WV Building that is a twelve seventy nine
University Avenue. It's real close to the Westover Bridge, right
(27:08):
next to the car stereo place on University Avenue, near
the light. On the phone, I've got Shell Adams. Hey, Shelle,
good morning, How are you?
Speaker 5 (27:17):
Good morning? Thank you for giving me this opportunity.
Speaker 2 (27:21):
It's a pleasure too, because first off, I'd like to
know where you came up with an idea for a
nitathon to raise money for hunger. I think it's a
great idea.
Speaker 5 (27:32):
Well, there's great power in knitting needles, there's great power
in service artistry. Knit for Food was founded by knitwear designer.
Her name is Laura Nelkin and she's been doing this
since twenty twenty one. Knitters have raised over one million,
two hundred and fifty thousand dollars and our goal this
year is to raise three hundred and seventy nine thousand,
(27:54):
and Morgantown is well on our way or Morgantown fiber
Folks Group has raised twelve hundred and sixty dollars for
so far. So we're currently fifty four in the country
out of three hundred and sixty one teams.
Speaker 2 (28:09):
That's great. Now, some of the organizations that you benefit
are Feeding America, World Central Kitchen, No Kid Hungry, and
Meals on Wheels. So do you sell what you knit?
Is that where the revenue comes from or is it donations?
Speaker 5 (28:27):
Great question. Folks can donate by going online to give
Butter dot com at knit for Food twenty five and
look for the Morgantown five or Folks West Virginia link,
or they can stop by on Saturday at any time
and donate either cash or We're also accepting non perishable
(28:51):
food items that will be donated locally to several food
pantries in Morgantown. So I just want the listeners to
know that hunger is closer than you think. Feeding America
estimates that thirteen three hundred and seventy people in Mont
County alone are food insecure, and of those only sixty
(29:13):
six percent are eligible for SNAP, So that means thirty
four percent must rely on charitable food assistance in Mont
County provided by food banks and similar organizations. So we're
working hard to make this happen.
Speaker 2 (29:26):
We've got Shell Adams with us and we're talking about
the first annual Morgantown Knit for Food event. And you
know' shell, You're right, because it doesn't matter. If I'm
talking to the folks over at Pantry plus more, the
people at Scott's Run Settlements House, they tell you that
the need in fact has become greater since the pandemic.
Speaker 5 (29:50):
That is true, It's very true. I wanted to let
your listeners know too that we're gathering for twelve hours
because that's what the national organization is doing. But you
don't have to come for twelve hours. You can pop
in for whatever time you have to spare, and you
don't have to know how to knit. You can do crafting, knitting, krishang.
(30:11):
But we also have an opportunity as a volunteer opportunity
inside of this one. What I mean by that is
it's a multi charitable event. If you choose not to
craft or knit, we are helping with volunteer opportunities to
pack package knitted knockers, which are special soft, lightweight knitted
(30:33):
breast proceees for women who have undergone mastectomies, and reconstruction
for the Betty Pushguard Breast Care Center at WVU. We
also stuff and package soap sex which are little four
by six crocheted pouches made from cotton yarn that we
donate to the unhoused and aid services to use as
(30:56):
wash cloths or store soap. So well, so we're going
to have raffles. We have a really active knitting community
here in the area, with groups like Chronicles of Yarnia,
the Morganhown Fiber Folks, of course, the Arthur Deel Fiber Guild,
and Yockeganey Yarns.
Speaker 2 (31:15):
So we am Now what was that first one that
you mentioned.
Speaker 5 (31:20):
The Chronicles of Yarnia. We are a knitting group that
meet twice a month at the Morgantown Public Library.
Speaker 2 (31:27):
Very nice, very very nice. Now to go right along
with that, Shell would like to let folks know that
you'll even teach folks how to knit. Got some beginner
lessons planned at eleven am then again at two pm
during the event coming up this Saturday, right right.
Speaker 5 (31:45):
And we will supply you with the needles and yarn
as well. If you want to stop in, bring a
non perishable food item and learn how to knit. Eleven
am and two pm.
Speaker 2 (31:56):
That sounds great now the event runs from ten to
ten pm. Will you have anybody that'll maybe stick it
out for the whole twelve hours.
Speaker 5 (32:07):
I will be there, and my committee will be there,
will there will be at least five or six people
there the whole time. I'm hoping for more, but at
least five or six. Okay, I commit for twelve hours.
Speaker 2 (32:21):
I'd like to say I can, but I don't think
I've ever knitted for one second, So to commit to
twelve hours might be tough.
Speaker 5 (32:29):
Well, you can stop buying.
Speaker 2 (32:30):
We'll teach too, how Okay, now tell us this a
admission is a non perishable food item?
Speaker 4 (32:39):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (32:40):
Is there anything in particular, because sometimes when we start
to talk about non perishable food items, you know you'll hear, oh,
please don't bring one more of those, or maybe please
bring one of these.
Speaker 5 (32:54):
I would advise something that is nutritious. I don't exactly
know what the need is right now, but I would
definitely steer away from junk food. I would, you know,
nutrition dense foods are the most important, and of course
the non perishable side of things, because we don't want
anything that have to be refrigerated or frozen.
Speaker 2 (33:15):
Correct to deliver correct. Now, One of the things in
the release that I did want to ask you about that.
It says bring your projects. Now do you mean if
I have a knitting project that maybe I'm stumped on currently,
or maybe I needed maybe I need help, maybe I
need that eleven o'clock lesson, can I bring that?
Speaker 5 (33:38):
You Sure can? That's a great question. At all of
the knitting groups that meet in our community, we have
that to offer. I can't tell you how many things
I've well, we call it frogging when we rip out
something because it's rip it, rip it, and so I
have ripped out many things for other people and fixed them.
Speaker 4 (33:57):
We will we will also do that.
Speaker 2 (34:00):
Well, you knitters sound like a pretty rambunctious lot.
Speaker 5 (34:06):
I don't know about that, but we are a very
generous lot, and there's great power in service artistry.
Speaker 2 (34:12):
As I said, yes, yes, yes, ma'am, very very much.
Now let's see admission once again? Is a non perishable
food item? You've got a website, give butter dot com,
forward slash knit for Food twenty five or right. Yes,
you can go out there get some more information. This
is at the Ascend WV building at twelve seventy nine
(34:38):
University Avenue. Is there anything else we need to know
before we let you go? Shll.
Speaker 5 (34:44):
One thing I forgot to mention is that we will
have door prizes and you will get tickets just for
a price of admission of the non perishable food item.
Very very nice graffle prizes. We'll be selling tickets as well,
and we'll be giving away something once every hour.
Speaker 2 (35:02):
Okay, perfect, Shell Adams. The event is the first annual
Morgantown Knit for Food. It's a knitathon and craft day.
You're going to do it this Saturday from ten am
to ten pm. That sounds great. You have any college
students in your group?
Speaker 5 (35:20):
We do regularly at Chronicles of Yarnia. We have college
students all the time that stop in as well as
Morgantown fiber folks.
Speaker 2 (35:28):
Yes, that's great to hear. That's great to hear. Okay, Shell, Hey,
keep in touch. If you have an event coming up
in the future you want to share with us, we'd
love to have you do that.
Speaker 5 (35:39):
Thank you very much. I appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (35:41):
Yes, ma'am. You have a good day and a great
event you as well. Thank you, Yes, ma'am. Shell Adams
with first annual Morgantown Knit for Food coming up this Saturday,
ten am to ten pm at the Ascend Building at
twelve seventy nine University Avenue. Sounds like a pretty good
time to me. When we come back, we'll wrap things
(36:02):
up do the Metro News talk line handoff that is
coming up next on Talk of the Town AM fourteen
forty FM one oh four point five W A.
Speaker 1 (36:13):
J R.
This is the Talk of the Town from Morgantown to Klerksburg.
If it's happening, we're talking about it. Call the show
toll free at one eight hundred seven sixty five eight
two five five. Now Here is your host for the
Talk of the Town, Mike Notlting.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Good Tuesday morning. It is nine oh seven. This is
Talk of the Town and welcome to your program highlighting
your town and the things that are important to you
and your family. I'm Mike Nolting. Now you can find
me out on x formally Twitter at your news guy.
We'd love to hear from you at some point throughout
(00:41):
the show today. You can do that by texting us
at three oh four Talk three oh four. That number
again is three oh four, Talk three oh four. Today,
gotta spend a few minutes with John Dower from West
Virginia Sober Living Now. John is also the re representative
(01:01):
to the West Virginia First Foundation. The foundation designated to
distribute more than one billion dollars of opioid settlement money.
Tomorrow is Prevention Day at the state Capitol. We're going
to talk with John about that. And back on Friday,
the Foundation released a set of grants, and we're going
(01:21):
to talk with John about those grants and maybe the
next cycle that is coming up this month Today starts
Donate Life Month. And I've got doctor Krishna Agerol from
he is the Medal Medical Director of Kidney Transplantation for
the WVU Medicine Transplant Alliance. He's going to spend a
(01:45):
few minutes with us and inform us about how we
can become an organ donor get registered and what the
benefits are and maybe some of some stories that he
can tell us of other people who have benefited from
the organ donation program. At nine forty, I've got Shell Adams.
Shell and I are going to be talking about a
(02:06):
nitathon that's coming up on Saturday. That nitathon is designed
to fight hunger. They're going to get together at the
Ascend Building on University Avenue for twelve hours from ten
am Saturday morning until ten pm Saturday night. They're going
to have a nit athon to raise awareness for of
(02:28):
hunger in the area and across the state. Admission into
this event is a non perishable food item. Now, all
the proceeds. The list of organizations that they're going to
help here are Feeding America, the World central kitchen, no
kid hungry and meals on wheels. So we'll talk with
(02:50):
Shelle about that coming up at nine to forty. Few headlines.
There certainly is a lot going on. The Fairmont community
remains in shock following the announcement of the closure of Novellas.
They employ about two hundred. There are members of the
United steel Workers union. The company sided their North American
(03:12):
consolidation plan and say they'll end aluminum production for good
at that facility on June the thirtieth. Now, I spoke
with the union representative on Monday, and the union representative said, basically,
don't have a comment right now, but I think that
(03:32):
they're probably working up to something. A Michigan man's been
ordered to serve nine years in federal prison for bringing
quantities of dangerous drugs to the Clarksburg area. Forty two
year old Jacent Scruggs of Clinton, Michigan was caught with
more than four hundred grams of meth and forty grams
of fentanyl during the investigation. Now, he's also ordered to
(03:56):
put in three years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
In Bridgeport City councilors have scheduled a special meeting to
discuss the future of newly hired city manager Pat Ford.
That meeting is coming up at five pm on Thursday.
The readout from council is that Ford was brought on.
(04:19):
One of the objectives that he was given was to
dig into the workplace culture. So back in February, Ford
started an investigation. Now he says that the purpose of
his termination, if it happens, could be to keep the
findings of that investigation under wraps. Now that meeting is
(04:39):
coming up on Thursday at five o'clock, and you know,
just hiring Pat Ford for the city that it took
over a year to find that guy. If we have time,
we'll get into some of that later, because if they
do get rid of him, I would I'd say we'd
(04:59):
have to buckle up for another big time search.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
Well.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
One of six convicted in the Pagan motorcycle club killing
of Henry silver Back in twenty twenty two has been sentenced.
Twenty eight year old Austin Mullins got a total of
fifty five years in state prison. He was implicated in
this in this crime through testimony of the Pagan club
(05:23):
member John Wolf. Now Wolf was reportedly the person that
ordered the killing of Silver when he learned that he
was involved with his significant other. Now Wolf has already
been convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to a
life in prison. Got to take a quick break, and
when we come back, we'll spend a few minutes with
(05:46):
John Dower. John again, he is with West Virginia Sober
Living and also the West Virginia First Foundation. We're going
to be talking about Prevention Day coming to the State
Capitol on Wednesday. That's next.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Now back to the talk of the town.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
Good Tuesday morning, nine seventeen clouds and thirty six in
the University City Metro Newszach you Weather says we will
see some clearing today. I don't know about sunshine, but
maybe fewer clouds and a high temperature of fifty three
degrees coming up tomorrow at the State Capitol. It is
Prevention Day. On the grounds and on the phone, we've
(06:37):
got John Dower. John's with West Virginia Sober Living and
also the West Virginia First Foundation. Hey John, good morning.
How are you.
Speaker 4 (06:46):
Good morning, sir, I'm doing well. How about yourself?
Speaker 2 (06:48):
Hey, I'm doing good. I'm doing good. Thank you very much. Now,
I guess let's find out a little bit about you
and then we'll find out what you think about prevention day,
what it means to you because you're in extended recovery.
Is that correct?
Speaker 4 (07:05):
That is correct? So I'm a little over thirteen years
at this point.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Wow, thirteen years. So when you think about prevention day, John,
and plus with your job, all the people that you
come in contact with, what do you think?
Speaker 4 (07:22):
So, unfortunately, we have a multi generational problem in West Virginia,
and it's not just substance use. It is pervasive poor
outcomes of health overall, from two high rates of cancer
to diabetes, and certainly when it comes to substance use.
It's going to save our society a lot of money
(07:45):
if we prevent a disorder from happening to begin with.
And we have an uphill battle in West Virginia. We
have grandparents raising grandchildren, we have two high rates of incarceration.
Prevention to me is about doing our best to stop
it where we're not going to catch everyone with prevention.
(08:07):
That's not a realistic expectation. But when we use valid,
reliable approaches and provide the data that that prevention really
does prevent, not just substitute disorder, but other poor outcomes
due to social determines of health. We stand to really
flourish and allow our economic drivers in West Virginia to grow.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
You know, John, the recent news of a decrease in
overdose deaths, does that give you any hope or encouragement.
Speaker 4 (08:38):
Sure, I'm always encouraged when we look at reduction overdose depths.
To me, one is too many, though, so there's plenty
of work to do, and there's not enough hands to
do it, and there's not enough silver bullets and are
gun to make that a reality, so we can prevent
it from happening. To begin with, I kind of work
my way out of my day job if we do
with it. But I'd be happy the sidestep to a
(09:01):
different career if we could put an end the substance
use disorder in our communities.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
John Dower with West Virginia Sober Living is with us
and we're talking about Prevention Day that'll be held at
the state Capitol tomorrow. John, one big difference that I've noticed,
and actually it's kind of kind of a morbid difference.
But you know, used to you would come into work
after a weekend and doing the news there would be
all kinds of rumors about there was an overdose in
(09:29):
South Park, or there was an overdose here or there,
and you would end up chasing those leads down and ultimately,
you know, at sometimes you would find out that, yeah,
there was a fatal overdose. But you know what, I
don't I haven't been doing that as much lately.
Speaker 4 (09:50):
I can't say I hate hearing that so use still occurs.
Law enforcement is doing a terrific job. Our government is
doing everything that they can to prevent the flow of
substances into our communities. Then when substances get into our communities,
we have to intervene as early as possible what we
kind of talk about as secondary prevention, and try to
(10:13):
prevent a disorder from progressing. And if we can't, we
have to use really targeted approaches, like treatment approaches, really
in a tertiary prevention sort of way to prevent really
poor outcomes, much like overdose dess. The lockson narcana as
you see across the state and across the country being distributed,
(10:37):
is a form of prevention. We're trying to prevent this,
get people healthy and well and get them back into
the workforce.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
You know, John, when I sit back and look at
the I guess the suite or the continuum of care
that's offered in this community, from Lauren's Wish to West
Virginia Sober Living to all the different organizations. It would
have peers if we have a robust system, Is that
the case? Is that the case?
Speaker 4 (11:06):
Sure, we're missing pieces in our continuum of care. If
you look at the American Society of Addiction Medicine, it
provides very distinct levels of care all the way from
prevention to the high end being hospital based treatment or
what they call an ASAM level four point zero. There
are gaps in our continuum of care, but no state
(11:28):
and no system is perfect. And even if you have
the perfect system of care, you're not going to be
able to affect change on one hundred percent of the
population that's experiencing subt's use disorder. Some people are constitutionally
incapable of bringing about change, or they don't want to,
or that there are other extenuating factors, such as mental
(11:51):
health conditions that can make treatment for subtans use disorder
resistant to treatment as usual.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
We've got John Dower with us from West Virginia Sober
Living and we're talking about Preventvening Day that is coming
up tomorrow at the State Capitol. If you've got a
question or a comment, you can text it at three
oh four Talk three four. Recently, the First Foundation made
another round of grant awards. What can you tell us
(12:20):
about the process at the foundation?
Speaker 4 (12:24):
So it wasn't really a new round of grant awards,
it was a continuation of the last round. The West
Virginia First Foundation staff was very objective in their first
round of fundings, so there were required documents and paperwork
that had to be turned in. If for any reason
one was left out, one was entered incorrectly, it kind
(12:45):
of kicked them out of the moving onto the grading process. However,
as the First Foundation, we want to help agencies improve
and we don't We want to be able to provide
second chances because we know our communities are at stake here.
So those individuals or organizations that get kicked out of
the first round of funding or the first initial awards
(13:07):
were allowed to participate in the supplemental round of funding
where the First Foundation staff reached out to them got
the required documentation to get them on to the process
in which they could be scored. These were in the
same four major priority areas including recovery, housing, NEO NATO ADID,
Syndrome and child advocacy centers, pregnant and postpartum women, prevention
(13:38):
and diversion and interdictions. So these weren't new areas, nor
was it a new funding process. It was just a
continuation for the grantees that weren't able to get their
application through it.
Speaker 2 (13:51):
I missed your last meeting, and that was the very
first one that I've ever missed that you've had. But
the meeting prior to that, there was much discussion brought
up about this Second Chance program and the fact that
they did want to help and include as many agencies
as possible. So I guess moving forward, is there a
(14:12):
way to maybe pre check so you don't end up
in the Second Chance plan.
Speaker 4 (14:19):
I certainly believe that we will continue to look at
our process and make adjustments and evaluate what's effective and
what's not effective for us as a foundation. But further,
we just don't want to be a granting agency. We
just don't want to be a funder. We want to
be a think tank. We want to be someone that
you can come to for guidance. There's a lot of things.
(14:42):
We want the firstbation to be a public private partnership
with our local communities and our state. We just don't
want to be looked at as simply someone you come
to for fund So I believe, like many opioid Abatement
boards across the country, we're kind of building the plane
and flying it at the same time, and there will
(15:04):
be continuous self reflection and adjustment as necessary to meet
the needs of our state.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
And you know, in those conversations when you talk about,
you know, not wanting to be just a funding agency,
but really find worthwhile programs that are making a difference
that can be scaled up. I think is the term
that is used a lot by members among the board.
But you're finding those programs when you go out and
(15:32):
beat the bushes in the state, are you.
Speaker 4 (15:35):
Yeah, certainly there are great programs in our state that
are do amazing work. However, sometimes things aren't scalable. So
what may work in Morgantown, West Virginia, may not work
in Maitland, West Virginia, because your resources are different, you
have different barriers, your population is different, and oftentimes the
culture is a little different. Job opportunities are different. So
(15:58):
not only do you need to be able to to
identify what works, but where is it going to work?
And that's part of the process of the feedback loops
that the First Foundation will take a look at and
try to find programs that really meet the needs of
a specific community rather than try to force a square
peg into a roundhole, so to speak.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
Got John Dower with US. John is with West Virginia
Sober living in the West Virginia First Foundation. I've always
gotten the impression during these meetings that if somebody needed
help with an application, help is not far.
Speaker 4 (16:37):
Away, certainly, and I can speak for Region four. I
was able to find a couple university state universities that
we're working together and offered assistance to any applicant that
needed assistance in any of the paperwork or the grant
writing process, etc. And as long as i'm the repe
(17:00):
end of the Region four, I will continue to do
so because my goal is to bring as much funding
into our communities to meet the needs as possible. And
I think in this first full round of funding, from
the one in December to the supplemental part, we've done
a terrific job making sure that Region four was highlighted
and supported in a way that will bring about meaningful
(17:23):
change in our community.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
Can you give us a timeline on the next opportunity.
Speaker 4 (17:28):
There isn't yet a timeline. I think that's yet to
be fleshed out. I would anticipate something in the twenty
twenty five calendar year, but I think it would be
a little presumptuous, persumptuous of me to give dates at
this point in time.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
Okay, perfect, perfect, Okay. John, Hey listen, keep up the
good work and really do appreciate time today.
Speaker 4 (17:50):
Hey, Mike, thanks for having me and I'm happy to
come back anytime.
Speaker 2 (17:53):
Absolutely, take care of yourself, John, always great to talk
with you. John Dower, West Virginia Sober Living. Of course,
tomorrow is prevention Day at the state Capitol. You know,
a couple of stories have been kind of, I guess,
kind of squirreling around the edges, and they've just been
the type of stories that you really can't get your
(18:13):
fingers on. I'll give you an example. In another state,
there was a conservation department that shut all their programs
down because they were concerned about the availability of federal
grants and made a call to some local agencies. Here
in this state and really got a mixed bag of response,
(18:35):
but the main response is that I received was you
know what, we're not really ready to talk yet because
we're trying to figure out how to respond to this.
But if you'll give us an opportunity to work this
out amongst ourselves, then maybe give us a call back
in three weeks and we can give you some more information. Then.
(18:57):
Another situation like that has been the termination of employees
at netle here in Morgantown and Niosh, And this morning,
I can confirm to you that Niosh employees have confirmed
to us that more than one hundred sixty workers have
(19:17):
been let go. Now the release says that they have
been placed on administrative leave until June thirtieth, and several
of those workers receive those riff notices this week. So
employees of Niosh are now telling us that more than
a one hundred and sixty workers at that organization will
(19:41):
be on the street on June thirtieth. And phone calls
to NETTLE directed us to Washington, d C. And we
really absolutely got zero information from the Washington d C.
Office of NETTLE.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
We are talking about your town. Now back to the
talk of the.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
Town, Well, good Tuesday morning. It is nine thirty five.
Today is the first day of April. And I know
what you're thinking, but that's not what it is. Because
today we kick off Donate Life Month and to do that,
I've got doctor Krishna Agerwaal with West Virginia University with
(20:32):
the West Virginia University Transplant Alliance. Good morning, doctor, how
are you?
Speaker 3 (20:37):
Good morning? I'm good, Mike.
Speaker 2 (20:38):
How are you hey, I'm doing very well. Thank you.
I guess tell us why should we be organ donors? Doctor?
Speaker 3 (20:46):
So, organ donation is the best and the most fruitful
gift anybody can give another human being, and one organ
donor can save up to eight lives by their organs,
including the two cordneas which can give vision to people,
and then they can heal additional seventy five people by
way of tissue donation, which is skin crafting and other tissues.
(21:08):
So essentially, what you're giving is not just an organ
it's basically a chance for someone to spend more time
with their loved ones and someone to.
Speaker 4 (21:16):
Make more.
Speaker 3 (21:18):
Efforts in the community and contribute more towards the community.
Speaker 2 (21:23):
Is there any estimate or any knowledge of how many
people that are maybe out there waiting for an organ.
Speaker 3 (21:30):
Oh yes, So in the country, we have about one
hundred thousand people currently waiting for life saving organs. In
West Virginia that number is five hundred and the vast
majority eighty six percent of these are waiting for kidneys.
And unfortunately, out of the one hundred thousand, we only
do about twenty eight thousand transplants every year, and the
(21:51):
list keeps growing because of the scarcity of these organs.
Speaker 2 (21:54):
How many transplants are done here in Morgantown each year.
Speaker 3 (22:00):
Relatively new program and we are growing rapidly. So this
year we have already done about six transplants, actively doing
one now and as we continue to grow, we will
definitely match up to the bigger programs in the country.
Speaker 2 (22:17):
And how do you can you walk us through how
this happens? Someone presents a problem, they've got a bad
kidney and they need a new one. Take it from there, please,
So if.
Speaker 3 (22:29):
Yeah, so, if they have bad kidneys, which is kidney failure,
they essentially have two options. One is dialysis and the
other is kidney transplant. The kidney transplant, as you can imagine,
is a more natural treatment for their kidney failure. Where
they don't have to get hooked up to a machine
to clean their blood out. It's having another person's kidney
(22:49):
that does a regular kidney's work for them. So they
would call into a transplant program or the WU Transplant
Alliance office and our coordinators will briefly go over their
medical history, educate them about the transplant process, and then
schedule them for their initial evaluation, which would be it's
a one day visit where they meet all the team
(23:10):
members at the transplant office, including the surgeons, the nefrologists,
the social workers, the dieticians and the goal is to
educate them about organ transplants so that they have complete
information about what to expect after a kidney transplant, and
also to do basic workup to make sure that organ
transplant will truly benefit them so that we don't end
(23:33):
up harming them.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
Doctor Krishna Aggerol is with us with the West Virginia
University Transplant Alliance. How long does it take to I guess,
be evaluated and then receive a transplant?
Speaker 3 (23:50):
So the evaluation process can vary depending on what testing
they need, but our goal is to get everybody through
the initial evaluation with ninety days and then make a decision.
Once they are accepted, once their evaluation is satisfactory, they
are placed on a national waiting list that is maintained
by UNOS, the United Network for Organ Sharing, and then
(24:13):
it really depends on their time on the waiting list
and the blood group. The average waiting time to get
a kidney in this area is about six to eight years,
and sometimes you can get an organ sooner if it's
a perfect match. But yeah, so there are some intricacies
to the matching process, but on an average six to
eight years.
Speaker 2 (24:33):
Are are we capable of doing, say, a heart transplant here?
Speaker 3 (24:39):
Yes, we do heart transplants and kidney transplants for WU.
Speaker 2 (24:42):
And have you done a heart transplant for example? We
have yes, okay, okay, And how many of those have
you done?
Speaker 3 (24:53):
So? I think we have done about five heart transplants
so far, and that may vary a little bit, but
to the best of my knowledge, it's been five so far.
Speaker 2 (25:03):
And those organs come from that national network. Is that correct?
Speaker 3 (25:09):
That is correct?
Speaker 4 (25:09):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (25:10):
How do people register to become an organ donor?
Speaker 3 (25:15):
So you can register in different ways. The easiest would
be to go log on to register me dot org.
That's the website. You can log onto and register at
any point. It's also at the DMV you can register
to be an organ donor during your licensing process and
then you could get more information about the donation process
(25:35):
at donatelife dot net or at the WU transpend Alliances website.
Speaker 2 (25:40):
Okay, perfect, Doctor Krishna Aggerwald. Really do appreciate your time today, sir.
Thank you.
Speaker 3 (25:47):
You're most welcome.
Speaker 1 (25:48):
Mike.
Speaker 3 (25:48):
Have a good day.
Speaker 2 (25:49):
Absolutely you too, sir. Right now, clouds and thirty six degrees.
When we come back, we're going to talk about a
net athon that is coming up on satur It'll be
from ten am until ten pm at the Ascend Building
on University Avenue. We're going to talk with Shelle Adams
coming up next about that on wajr's Talk of the
(26:14):
Town on AM fourteen forty and FM on AM fourteen
forty and FM one oh four point five. W A
j R. Will be right back.
Speaker 1 (26:39):
Join the conversation at one eight hundred and seven sixty
five eight two fivey five. This is the Talk of
the Town.
Speaker 2 (26:48):
And Good Tuesday Morning coming up on this Saturday. It
is the first annual Morgantown Knit for Food, the Nitathon
and craft Day. It's going to be held over at
the Send WV Building that is a twelve seventy nine
University Avenue. It's real close to the Westover Bridge, right
(27:08):
next to the car stereo place on University Avenue, near
the light. On the phone, I've got Shell Adams. Hey, Shelle,
good morning, How are you?
Speaker 5 (27:17):
Good morning? Thank you for giving me this opportunity.
Speaker 2 (27:21):
It's a pleasure too, because first off, I'd like to
know where you came up with an idea for a
nitathon to raise money for hunger. I think it's a
great idea.
Speaker 5 (27:32):
Well, there's great power in knitting needles, there's great power
in service artistry. Knit for Food was founded by knitwear designer.
Her name is Laura Nelkin and she's been doing this
since twenty twenty one. Knitters have raised over one million,
two hundred and fifty thousand dollars and our goal this
year is to raise three hundred and seventy nine thousand,
(27:54):
and Morgantown is well on our way or Morgantown fiber
Folks Group has raised twelve hundred and sixty dollars for
so far. So we're currently fifty four in the country
out of three hundred and sixty one teams.
Speaker 2 (28:09):
That's great. Now, some of the organizations that you benefit
are Feeding America, World Central Kitchen, No Kid Hungry, and
Meals on Wheels. So do you sell what you knit?
Is that where the revenue comes from or is it donations?
Speaker 5 (28:27):
Great question. Folks can donate by going online to give
Butter dot com at knit for Food twenty five and
look for the Morgantown five or Folks West Virginia link,
or they can stop by on Saturday at any time
and donate either cash or We're also accepting non perishable
(28:51):
food items that will be donated locally to several food
pantries in Morgantown. So I just want the listeners to
know that hunger is closer than you think. Feeding America
estimates that thirteen three hundred and seventy people in Mont
County alone are food insecure, and of those only sixty
(29:13):
six percent are eligible for SNAP, So that means thirty
four percent must rely on charitable food assistance in Mont
County provided by food banks and similar organizations. So we're
working hard to make this happen.
Speaker 2 (29:26):
We've got Shell Adams with us and we're talking about
the first annual Morgantown Knit for Food event. And you
know' shell, You're right, because it doesn't matter. If I'm
talking to the folks over at Pantry plus more, the
people at Scott's Run Settlements House, they tell you that
the need in fact has become greater since the pandemic.
Speaker 5 (29:50):
That is true, It's very true. I wanted to let
your listeners know too that we're gathering for twelve hours
because that's what the national organization is doing. But you
don't have to come for twelve hours. You can pop
in for whatever time you have to spare, and you
don't have to know how to knit. You can do crafting, knitting, krishang.
(30:11):
But we also have an opportunity as a volunteer opportunity
inside of this one. What I mean by that is
it's a multi charitable event. If you choose not to
craft or knit, we are helping with volunteer opportunities to
pack package knitted knockers, which are special soft, lightweight knitted
(30:33):
breast proceees for women who have undergone mastectomies, and reconstruction
for the Betty Pushguard Breast Care Center at WVU. We
also stuff and package soap sex which are little four
by six crocheted pouches made from cotton yarn that we
donate to the unhoused and aid services to use as
(30:56):
wash cloths or store soap. So well, so we're going
to have raffles. We have a really active knitting community
here in the area, with groups like Chronicles of Yarnia,
the Morganhown Fiber Folks, of course, the Arthur Deel Fiber Guild,
and Yockeganey Yarns.
Speaker 2 (31:15):
So we am Now what was that first one that
you mentioned.
Speaker 5 (31:20):
The Chronicles of Yarnia. We are a knitting group that
meet twice a month at the Morgantown Public Library.
Speaker 2 (31:27):
Very nice, very very nice. Now to go right along
with that, Shell would like to let folks know that
you'll even teach folks how to knit. Got some beginner
lessons planned at eleven am then again at two pm
during the event coming up this Saturday, right right.
Speaker 5 (31:45):
And we will supply you with the needles and yarn
as well. If you want to stop in, bring a
non perishable food item and learn how to knit. Eleven
am and two pm.
Speaker 2 (31:56):
That sounds great now the event runs from ten to
ten pm. Will you have anybody that'll maybe stick it
out for the whole twelve hours.
Speaker 5 (32:07):
I will be there, and my committee will be there,
will there will be at least five or six people
there the whole time. I'm hoping for more, but at
least five or six. Okay, I commit for twelve hours.
Speaker 2 (32:21):
I'd like to say I can, but I don't think
I've ever knitted for one second, So to commit to
twelve hours might be tough.
Speaker 5 (32:29):
Well, you can stop buying.
Speaker 2 (32:30):
We'll teach too, how Okay, now tell us this a
admission is a non perishable food item?
Speaker 4 (32:39):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (32:40):
Is there anything in particular, because sometimes when we start
to talk about non perishable food items, you know you'll hear, oh,
please don't bring one more of those, or maybe please
bring one of these.
Speaker 5 (32:54):
I would advise something that is nutritious. I don't exactly
know what the need is right now, but I would
definitely steer away from junk food. I would, you know,
nutrition dense foods are the most important, and of course
the non perishable side of things, because we don't want
anything that have to be refrigerated or frozen.
Speaker 2 (33:15):
Correct to deliver correct. Now, One of the things in
the release that I did want to ask you about that.
It says bring your projects. Now do you mean if
I have a knitting project that maybe I'm stumped on currently,
or maybe I needed maybe I need help, maybe I
need that eleven o'clock lesson, can I bring that?
Speaker 5 (33:38):
You Sure can? That's a great question. At all of
the knitting groups that meet in our community, we have
that to offer. I can't tell you how many things
I've well, we call it frogging when we rip out
something because it's rip it, rip it, and so I
have ripped out many things for other people and fixed them.
Speaker 4 (33:57):
We will we will also do that.
Speaker 2 (34:00):
Well, you knitters sound like a pretty rambunctious lot.
Speaker 5 (34:06):
I don't know about that, but we are a very
generous lot, and there's great power in service artistry.
Speaker 2 (34:12):
As I said, yes, yes, yes, ma'am, very very much.
Now let's see admission once again? Is a non perishable
food item? You've got a website, give butter dot com,
forward slash knit for Food twenty five or right. Yes,
you can go out there get some more information. This
is at the Ascend WV building at twelve seventy nine
(34:38):
University Avenue. Is there anything else we need to know
before we let you go? Shll.
Speaker 5 (34:44):
One thing I forgot to mention is that we will
have door prizes and you will get tickets just for
a price of admission of the non perishable food item.
Very very nice graffle prizes. We'll be selling tickets as well,
and we'll be giving away something once every hour.
Speaker 2 (35:02):
Okay, perfect, Shell Adams. The event is the first annual
Morgantown Knit for Food. It's a knitathon and craft day.
You're going to do it this Saturday from ten am
to ten pm. That sounds great. You have any college
students in your group?
Speaker 5 (35:20):
We do regularly at Chronicles of Yarnia. We have college
students all the time that stop in as well as
Morgantown fiber folks.
Speaker 2 (35:28):
Yes, that's great to hear. That's great to hear. Okay, Shell, Hey,
keep in touch. If you have an event coming up
in the future you want to share with us, we'd
love to have you do that.
Speaker 5 (35:39):
Thank you very much. I appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (35:41):
Yes, ma'am. You have a good day and a great
event you as well. Thank you, Yes, ma'am. Shell Adams
with first annual Morgantown Knit for Food coming up this Saturday,
ten am to ten pm at the Ascend Building at
twelve seventy nine University Avenue. Sounds like a pretty good
time to me. When we come back, we'll wrap things
(36:02):
up do the Metro News talk line handoff that is
coming up next on Talk of the Town AM fourteen
forty FM one oh four point five W A.
Speaker 1 (36:13):
J R.
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