On Dec. 31, 2024, Buckhannon Toyota generously donated $25,000 to help West Virginia Wesleyan College replace upstairs bleachers in the Rockefeller Physical Education Center. With more than $200,000 total needed for the project, this gift completes fundraising for the initiative.
“We are so thankful to our great friends from Buckhannon Toyota for their amazing support of our bleacher project and for their partnership for many years,” stated James Moore, President of WV Wesleyan. “They have been not only generous neighbors to WVWC but also valued friends and colleagues to our college.”
Fundraising for new bleachers started one year ago with WVWC’s Spring Day of Giving on Feb. 29, 2024. Alumni, parents, faculty, staff, friends and community members contributed funds on that day to kickoff fundraising. Proceeds from last year’s Gala jointly hosted by WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital also supported the effort. When they learned of the final amount of funds needed, Toyota stepped up to finish the project for the community and the college.
“Buckhannon Toyota and the Minsker family are proud to continue supporting our local college and the community functions held there in the gymnasium,” said Kip Cottrill, General Manager of Buckhannon Toyota. “Wesleyan is an important part of our region, and we are always happy to support them and their students.”
Original to the building, the current upstairs bleachers have been in place for over 50 years, and have served Wesleyan and the community well through events such as Buckhannon-Upshur High School Graduations, Strawberry Festival functions, youth sports camps, concerts and special exhibitions, and more.
West Virginia Wesleyan is grateful for all those who contributed to this worthwhile project and looks forward to the installation of the new upstairs bleachers in the months to come, as well as hosting even more community-related events in the future.
