BECKLEY, W.V. (LOOTPRESS) – Thursday afternoon, Shawn Ball, owner of Ball Toyota Charleston and a Boone County native, met with school and community leaders at L&S Toyota in Beckley.
Each year, Ball raises money to benefit people in the community. He says he knew wanted to help schools this year after not being able to help them last year because of the pandemic.
Through their annual Facebook challenge, the owners of the two dealerships uncovered a tremendous need in public schools. What started as a plan to give a $20,000 gift, grew into a $73,000 one. This amount was distributed to 146 schools across 10 different counties.
On Wednesday, Ball was in Charleston handing out $500 checks to more than 40 schools. He passed out the remaining checks on Thursday, ensuring every school has the money before winter break.
“This money is not that much,” Ball shared. “But it allows me to get my message across of, ‘Let’s try to help these kids out.’ That’s all I want. $500 isn’t going to solve the world’s problems…it’s a start.”
The gift from Ball is intended to support school children in need of warm clothing, shoes and basic supplies.
Ball, who once served on the board for United Way of Southern West Virginia (UWSWV), has been a long supporter and proud partner of the organization, according to Trena Dacal, Executive Director of UWSWV. Ball included United Way in Thursday’s event, so they could be present to share additional resources to those in the community who may need them.
“He’s such a passionate and, as he said, emotional person,” Dacal said about Ball. “It’s wonderful because he truly wants to see that children have what they need. Wherever there is a gap, he tries to make that happen, and it’s just heartwarming to see.”
In addition to presenting the checks, Ball shared his goals for next year. While he can’t guarantee it yet, Ball wants to provide all 638 schools in West Virginia with $500 to start some form of food pantry in their facilities.
“My ultimate goal is to help every school in the state establish a pantry filled with essential items so that school-age kids have what they need,” he said. “I want to make enough money to distribute $319,000.”
