The Heart of Mountaineer Pride
A reflection by Susan Caperton, Executive Director/CEO and Amy Pancake, Associate Director/COO of the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation.
Whether it is a class reunion, wedding reception, or sporting event, few moments stir the heart quite like standing shoulder to shoulder with those around swaying and singing “Country Roads.” In that moment, there is a shared understanding of home, belonging, and pride that is uniquely West Virginian.
As I reflected on what West Virginia Day means, I asked my coworkers to share what comes to mind when they think about our state. Their answers painted a picture as beautiful and layered as the mountains themselves. Some spoke of spring landscapes filled with budding trees that later burst into brilliant autumn colors stretching across the hillsides. Others mentioned the bright red cardinals that gather at backyard feeders or perch quietly on snow-covered branches, bringing life and color to winter mornings.
But beyond the scenery, what stood out most was the spirit of our people.
West Virginians gather to cheer for hometown teams, but that same community spirit shows up just as faithfully when neighbors volunteer at a local food bank, shovel mud from a flooded basement, or drop spare dollars and coins into a firefighter’s boot to support their local department. It is generosity without hesitation. It is compassion without conditions. It is the foundation of Mountaineer pride deeply rooted from generation to generation or accepted and adopted by those transplanting themselves or their families to our great state.
At the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation, it is our joy and privilege to work with individuals and families across our five-county region who are looking forward — building purpose-driven funds that provide grants and scholarships today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.
Since 1995, the foresight and generosity of local Mountaineers have helped direct more than $17 million back into our communities. That legacy of giving, caring, and investing in neighbors is nothing short of legendary.
Among our staff of six, we represent more than 230 combined years of calling West Virginia home. We are deeply committed to the mission of the foundation and to the communities where we live, work, play, and raise our families.
This West Virginia Day, we celebrate not only our beautiful state, but the people who make it extraordinary.
If leaving a lasting legacy for fellow Mountaineers is on your bucket list, we would love to meet you, hear your story, and help find a path forward. Stop by our offices and say hello. There is always room for another conversation about building a stronger future for West Virginia.
To reach Susan, call 304-264-0353, or Amy 304-822-7200. And you are always invited to our website, www.ewvcf.org.
Let’s go Mountaineers!