MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WVDN) – State Treasurer Larry Pack this week presented more than $10,000 in funds to the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office in connection with the West Virginia Treasury’s February online firearms auction and two winning schools of the SMART529 “When I Grow Up” Statewide Essay Contest.
“My Office is proud to support our law enforcement agencies and schools as they work to meet the needs of their communities,” Treasurer Pack said. “Finding additional funding is necessary. Our online gun auctions help clear out evidence rooms and return money back to these agencies. I also want to congratulate our regional winners of the When I Grow Up essay contest for sharing what they want to be when they grow up. It’s truly inspiring.”
The first $500 SMART529 check was presented to Mountain Valley Elementary in Bluefield on Wednesday. Kindergarten student Lilly Phipps, who wrote about becoming an artist, was one of 15 regional winners of the “When I Grow Up” Essay Contest.
“I think it’s wonderful that State Treasurer Pack was able to join us because it shows the importance of the essay contest,” Mountain Valley Elementary School Principal Teresa Guill said. “When you actually have a winner, it’s so rewarding. I am so proud of Lilly Phipps. Her win is a win for Mountain Valley.”
Another $500 check was presented to Cheat Lake Elementary School in Morgantown on Thursday for regional winner, kindergarten student William Lenhart, who wrote about becoming a coal miner and mechanic.
“We are so proud of William. He’s just a wonderful example of what this program does. He’s excited about his future with the savings of $500 and the fact that they gave our school $500, we’re going to make sure this goes to our kindergarten students,” Cheat Lake Elementary School Principal Belinda Moss said.
Each regional winner received $500 to be invested into a SMART529 account during an awards banquet in Charleston in March. Each regional winner’s school was awarded a $500 cash prize to support school programs.
On Thursday afternoon, Treasurer Pack presented $9,161.52 to the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office sold 67 firearms during the February online firearms auction.
“The Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office is grateful for this partnership with the State Treasurer’s Office, which allows us to turn surplus evidence into vital resources for our operations,” Sheriff Todd Forbes said. “Clearing our inventory through these online auctions is a practical solution that ensures these funds stay right here in our county. I also want to thank Treasurer Pack for his commitment to our community and for recognizing the hard work of our local students in the ‘When I Grow Up’ contest.”
Treasurer Pack recently announced the winning bid amount from the February online firearms auction was $82,299.10 placed from a federal firearm licensed dealer in Georgia. There were 527 firearms sold from 19 law enforcement agencies across West Virginia that were up for bid. More than 18 bids were submitted from licensed dealers spanning across ten states.
More information about State Treasurer’s Office’s firearms auctions is available at www.wvtreasury.gov/FFL-Auction.
