To stay connected to other Mountaineer families in the area, West Virginia University Parents Club chapters all over the country are holding Winter Fests.

“This is an opportunity for them to reconnect with other WVU families. At this time of the year, clubs plan game watching parties, holiday events, invited WVU guest speakers, or simply enjoy the company of fellow Mountaineer families,” said Sabrina Cave, executive director of the Mountaineer Parents Club.

A $200 textbook scholarship card to the WVU bookstore will be given away at each event.

Winter Fests are currently scheduled for:

• Harrison County, Nov. 24 at 6 p.m., appetizer social, Quiet Dell United Methodist Church; for more information contact club Chair Patty Butler at 304-623-0243 or pb24us@verizon.net

• Central Maryland, Dec. 5 at 12 p.m., WVU-Rutgers game watch party, Dave and Buster’s in Arundel Mills Mall in Hanover, Md.; for more information call 443-535-2338.

• Preston County, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m., covered dish dinner, WVU Extension Office in Kingwood; for more information contact club Chairs Chris and Paula Wilderotter at 304-454-2018 or chrisw23@verizon.net .

• Taylor County, Jan. 3 at 1:30 p.m., appetizer and dessert social, Blueville Church of Christ; for more information contact club Chair Jenny Weaver at 304-265-3134 or jweave@aol.com .

• Pittsburgh, Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Lemont Restaurant on Mount Washington, time is subject to change; for more information contact Helene Glick at 412-341-4444.

• Philadelphia, Jan. 23, game watch party for the WVU-Ohio State basketball game; for more information contact Francine McGrath at 610-738-8266.

Updated information will be posted on the Mountaineer Parents Club Web site (http://parentsclub.wvu.edu ) as more Winter Fests are confirmed. The events are typically scheduled from December to February.

The Mountaineer Parents Club, which was started in 1995, has more than 20,000 members with 15 state chairs and one international chair. The organization has more than 70 local clubs that host guest speakers from WVU, visit area high schools and act as a support system for parents and students.

Club member receive benefits including “Parents Perks” discounts from Morgantown merchants; a newsletter published three times a year; Parent Electronic News bulletins with timely information about campus happenings; a toll-free helpline (1-800-WVU-0096); and an informative Web site.
The Parents Club coordinates many other services for parents and students, including bus service to students going home for holiday breaks and parking passes for families moving their students in and out of Morgantown.

WVU families may join the club by calling 304-293-2506 or registering online at http://parentsclub.wvu.edu/ .

How have events like Winter Fests and Summer Send-Offs affected your WVU experience?

-WVU-

cd/11/23/09

CONTACT: Sabrina Cave, Mountaineer Parents Club
304-293-2506, Sabrina.Cave@mail.wvu.edu