LEWISBURG, W.Va. (WVDN) – In an event hosted by the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) and United Way of the Greenbrier Valley, students started the new academic year by gaining an appreciation for the value of making a positive difference where they live.
During the school’s Day of Caring, more than 200 students from WVSOM’s D.O. and MSBS programs, along with 13 faculty and staff members, performed volunteer work at about 30 locations throughout Greenbrier County. Students did yard maintenance, cleaned, painted and completed repair work, among many other activities.
Aaron Phillips, Ph.D., WVSOM’s associate dean of student affairs, said he was pleased with the student turnout.
“It was great to see so many students participate in this, particularly from our incoming class of first-year students,” he said. “This event gets larger every year, and that’s due to our partnership with the United Way, which does amazing work, and the work of our student affairs staff. I hope this serves as a starting point for students to continue to volunteer in Lewisburg and surrounding areas.”
One organization that benefited from students’ efforts was the Family Refuge Center in Lewisburg, W.Va., which provides shelter and clothing to individuals experiencing domestic or sexual violence. Kylie Puglin, director of shelter services, said she appreciated the volunteers’ assistance.
“They sorted sizes of items in our donation room, which will save us a lot of time,” she said. “They also worked outside to help improve the yard, as well as removing bricks that were causing rainwater to pool in front of our door. The students did a fantastic job very quickly, and they were able to see how the shelter worked.”
Volunteers helped prepare the grounds of the upcoming State Fair of West Virginia, setting up display cases and cleaning seats in livestock arenas, among other tasks. Kelly Collins, the fair’s CEO, praised students for exemplifying the values of service and generosity.
“A ton of work goes into preparing for the fair each year, and the students’ hard work and positive attitudes made a real difference as we prepare to welcome thousands of guests. Their commitment to giving back is a wonderful example of the community spirit that defines West Virginia,” she said.
Volunteering took place in other areas of the county as well. At the Marvel Center, a childcare and early learning center in Rupert, W.Va., students cleaned the kitchen, organized a storge room, swept and mopped the cafeteria, and cleaned windows. Sarah Bailes, the center’s executive director, said WVSOM’s volunteers were enthusiastic about the chance to serve.
“They showed up, I gave them a quick tour and explained things that needed done. They got right to work and didn’t stop until everything was finished,” she said. “It would have taken days or even weeks for us to accomplish what the volunteers helped me do in a few hours. I’m so grateful for the help.”
Noelle Henein, a Class of 2029 student who is the T.O.U.C.H. (Translating Osteopathic Understanding Into Community Health) coordinator for WVSOM’s Student Government Association, said the annual event gives students an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the community surrounding WVSOM.
“For many students, this is their introduction to Lewisburg and a chance to make connections with their neighbors,” she said. “While studying takes up a large part of our time as medical students, establishing a presence in the community is an essential part of our training and education.”
WVSOM students typically volunteer more than 10,000 hours of community service through the T.O.U.C.H. program each year. In the 2025-26 academic year, students completed 11,297 documented T.O.U.C.H. hours.
Organizations that received assistance through this year’s Day of Caring were: Alderson Hospitality House, Appalachia Service Project, Bethlehem Farm, CAMC Greenbrier Valley Medical Center, Carnegie Hall, the Child and Youth Advocacy Center, Children’s Home Society of West Virginia, Davis Stuart, Elizabeth Chapel United Methodist Church, Family Refuge Center, Fruits of Labor, Gateway Industries, Greenbrier County Committee on Aging, Greenbrier Humane Society, Greenbrier Valley Hellbenders Youth Mountain Bike League, Greenbrier Valley Theatre, HospiceCare, Marvel Center, Montwell Commons, Northern Greenbrier Latchkey Kids, Renick Community Center, Ronceverte Food Pantry, Shepherd’s Center of Greenbrier Valley, the State Fair of West Virginia, Trinity United Methodist Church, Wellspring of Greenbrier, West Virginia Healing Home, West Virginia Helping Hands and Williamsburg Community Action.
