All across the state, extraordinary people stand up to better their communities. WV Living magazine honors one of these change makers in each of the state’s nine tourism regions each year as a Best of West Virginia Community Champion. These are our 2025 BOWV Community Champions.
Eastern Panhandle
Tyler Tummolo
Between his work as Community Outreach Director for CodeCraftCreate Foundation, owning and managing Varsity Travel bus service in Virginia, and being an active volunteer with the West Virginia CASA Association, Tyler Tummolo’s busy schedule is happily filled with opportunities to improve and support his community through STEM education, travel, and child welfare.
Among all of his projects and positions, one of the most rewarding, he says, is the work he has done with the state’s CASA Association. As a court-appointed safety advocate, he takes an active role in supporting the state’s foster kids. “We advocate for the children and help guide them through the process of the foster care system,” Tummolo says. “I went through about a monthlong training, learning the ins and outs of the system. I had no idea how much CASA would really mean—having one person on their side makes a huge difference. I’m just a trained volunteer, and it’s been a game-changer for me.”
Tummolo’s travel business plays just as active a role—and is what led him to CASA. “Our bus company does a lot with foster kids, so that’s how I got involved. We will pick kids up from foster homes and take them to where they need to be.” Seeing the impact of poverty and opiate-related struggles that were so closely tied to many of the kids’ situations, Tummolo and his wife knew they could do more.
In addition to their work in the foster care community, the Tummolos also sponsor college students from local institutions, gaining them access to the Jefferson County Tourism Summit and guiding them through the world of entrepreneurship.
“Community is what has built us,” Tummolo explains. “I sit on the board for the Visitors Bureau, and I love bringing people here. It’s everything to us, and it means a lot to give back in any shape or form.”
Hatfield-McCoy Mountains
Jennifer Justice
As executive director of the McDowell County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Jennifer Justice dedicates her time to championing McDowell and its local businesses. From highlighting the ever-growing Hatfield–McCoy Trails to preserving and celebrating the long, rich history of the region, Justice is the county’s biggest cheerleader.
She took on the role just 4.5 years ago while simultaneously becoming president of the McDowell County Chamber of Commerce. “I love to promote the county and promote business,” she says. “Without business, McDowell County can’t grow, and without growing, we won’t have tourism.”
Of all the things Justice has accomplished in her role, she is most proud of the CVB’s accreditation status. In order for a county to get the necessary funding, she says, a CVB must first be accredited through the West Virginia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus. Gaining that status was one of the first things Justice did when stepping into her role. Since, she has completed numerous projects to increase tourism to the area, including welcoming an Almost Heaven swing to Miracle Mountain Wilderness Park and commissioning the county’s first professional travel guide through Narrative by New South Media.
Justice and her work were also honored through a fellowship with the Appalachian Regional Commission and its Appalachian Leadership Institute, traveling to other communities similar to her own to learn what they did to “turn things around” and find new ideas for the area she serves.
But when it comes down to it, Justice says, the projects and tourism opportunities aren’t what shine the brightest: it’s the people. “My people in McDowell County are one of my biggest tourist attractions,” she explains. “People are so pleased at how they are treated when they come here. That is one of the things about McDowell County and the people: There is never a lack of people willing to lend a helping hand.”
Metro Valley
Ken and Cyndi Tawney
This husband–wife duo is championing the Elk River area in big ways. From Ken’s work as board president for the Elk River Trail Foundation to Cyndi’s as publisher of Elk River Living magazine, they work daily to promote, preserve, and uplift the community they call home in creative ways.
Inspired to create meaningful change after the major flooding of the Elk View and Clendenin communities in 2016, Cyndi created Elk River Living magazine to uplift the businesses, events, and people that make the area so special. “The communities were severely impacted—losing homes, losing business. They were starting over. We really didn’t have a pub up here that helped them for advertising and recognising the wonderful people, businesses, events, and communities. It was an idea of, ‘Hey, I want to do this!’”
Meanwhile, moving into retirement, Ken knew he wouldn’t be the type to do nothing. “I felt that following in my father’s footsteps and giving back to my community was something worthwhile doing in retirement,” he says. “It does give me a sense of fulfilment to know that we are making a difference in our communities along the Elk River, an area that I love.” In February 2020, the Elk River Trail Foundation was formed to support and improve the Elk River Trail—running from Sutton to Clendenin—and promote outdoor recreation, economic development, and tourism along it.
The Tawneys are also on the Board of Directors for 25045: A New Clendenin. Cyndi is an active board member for the Kanawha County Public Library and the Elk River Library Advisory Board, while Ken sits on the board for WV Trails. “We each have different parts of the community that are our niche,” Cyndi says. “Where we kind of shine.” And after 50 years together, with friends, family, and grandchildren nearby, they are continuing to share that light with the community they love.
Mid-Ohio Valley
Tina Persinger Hamrick
As director of the Calhoun Family Resource Network Family Support Center (FRN FSC), Tina Persinger Hamrick works to assist and support families of all shapes, sizes, and needs through services like food pantries, courses and workshops for job readiness and parenting, recovery planning, and so much more.
For over 12 years, Hamrick has played a role in the work the FRN FSC does for its community. “We meet them where they are at and help them thrive,” she says. That means family members working through substance misuse looking for treatment and recovery support, those navigating situations with Child Protective Services and reunification, or grandparents in need of support in raising their grandchildren.
When it comes to her favorite part of the job, Hamrick says bringing people together and helping them thrive evokes the most joy in her. “The weight of the world is on their shoulders,” she remarks, “and seeing them smile when they leave because I listened—seeing those light bulbs go off, people get their first job, families being reunited—that’s what brings me joy.”
There is one particular project that she is most proud of, however. In December 2025, Hamrick was able to announce that the Calhoun County FRN FSC was awarded a $1.5 million Federal Home Loan Affordable Housing Grant to build 12 recovery-friendly affordable housing opportunities in the community in addition to the four it already manages.
Bert’s Place—named in honor of a woman who was close to the organization but passed away before the dream became reality—will expand the nonprofit’s services and offer even more support to those who need it, but it’s not the only way Hamrick and her team are serving others. “We try to meet the service gaps, no matter what they look like. Some need a food pantry, some a place to talk, some just need a washer and dryer. It benefits everyone and makes our whole community and state stronger.”
Mountain Lakes
Robie Messenger
Over in Buckhannon, Pop’s Furniture owner Robie Messenger is always on the lookout for ways to support his community. From donating food and water for neighbors in need to stocking local blessing boxes and championing other small businesses, Messenger takes pride in finding the areas of need and lending a helping hand.
Messenger lives his life by a few words of wisdom attributed to Robin Williams: Everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about. He carries that idea with him through every act of service. “I think we all just need a little compassion, so I look for ways to give back.”
Inspired by his late mother, a woman known for paying it forward and supporting others, Messenger created ARK from the Heart—“ARK” standing for “acts of random kindness”—a charitable service that provides food and necessities to neighbors in need. One of its latest projects is the Comfort Cooler, a large decommissioned cooler set up outside Pop’s Furniture with hygiene products such as shampoos, oral care, brushes, and tampons. More seasonal products can be found there as well, like blankets and handwarmers for the cooler months and even Narcan when temperatures allow for safe storage. And it’s not just Messenger and Pop’s Furniture funding this venture. “A lot of community supporters donate to keep the mission going.”
From supporting the local Project Graduation and donating custom-labeled waters to sports teams to organizing fundraisers for anti-bullying campaigns and gathering almost $16,000 for various local organizations—all while running the store—Messenger plays a key role in Buchannon and beyond. “I really believe in supporting local small businesses, paying it forward, and building a strong community. The big box stores aren’t always the ones who will support your child in a sporting event—you don’t often see one of their banners around the baseball field.”
Mountaineer Country
Cherri Sturm
The old Alderson Broaddus University campus has found new life as Battlers Knob, an event and performance venue managed by Cherri Sturm. By renting out the campus’ spaces for sporting events, concerts, weddings, office space, and much more, Sturm is helping new activities, businesses, and entertainment find their way to Philippi.
New River/Greenbrier Valley
Lewis Rhinehart
After a 2020 fire burned down his original location, Secret Sandwich Society’s owner Lewis Rhinehart began the tireless work to rebuild. Since he reopened in 2023, fans have returned in droves to get a taste. Meanwhile, Give Back Nights let the SSS team give back to the causes close to their hearts.
Northern Panhandle
Heather Wetzel Parks
Downtown New Martinsville is experiencing a renaissance, thanks in part to Heather Wetzel Parks, owner of local-favorite shop The Book Store. Between organizing downtown events, hosting gatherings at the store, and championing new small businesses, Parks is playing a key role in the revitalization of New Martinsville’s downtown neighborhood as well as its community spirit and pride.
In the 25 years that Parks has been running The Book Store, she’s been looking for new ways to draw customers to the store during the slower months, stumbling upon a unique and fun solution. “I’d noticed that anything unicorn-themed was selling, so I looked up Unicorn Day and it was a thing! I decided to celebrate national event days like Unicorn Day, so I made a unicorn display with books and items, ordered some unicorn plushies, and had a free ‘Adopt a Unicorn.’” Surprised at the success, she kept it up with celebrations for Dinosaur Day and Fairy Day, and more events at the store followed.
Parks wanted to share the growing momentum with all of downtown New Martinsville. “In the last few years, we’ve had a few more businesses open up. These events did so well for me, so I wondered how we could make them bigger,” Parks remembers. From that first Unicorn Day at the bookstore to one-day street “festivals” involving numerous businesses, the small business community of New Martinsville continues to grow.
“A good community gives people a sense of belonging. An active one allows people to get out and interact with others, make friendships, and support each other,” she says. “Giving people of all ages the opportunity to participate, create, play, and interact in a variety of ways is essential to a healthy, welcoming community, and business owners are in a good position to create these things and get the word out.”
Potomac Highlands
Marlene England
As one of the founding owners of WordPlay, a booming independent bookstore in Wardensville, Marlene England knows the power of words and a good book. That’s why she created WordPlay Connects, a nonprofit through the bookstore that works to provide free books to local kids and connect them with authors, illustrators, and new ideas.
WordPlay has been a part of the Wardensville community for five years now, its own story going back to a mid-COVID opening that wasn’t necessarily ideal, but was heavily supported, says England. Since then, she’s been carefully curating the offerings as she gets to know her patrons—the books they love, the games they reach for, and the events they like to attend. “It’s also been great having Drifters Cafe take over the space right next to WordPlay,” she says. “There’s now an interior opening between our two stores so folks can order from Drifters and come browse through the bookstore. It’s been a win–win for both businesses—after all, books and coffee are the perfect combo, right?”
Meanwhile, WordPlay Connects has also been growing and thriving since its 2022 inception, focused on reaching young readers in Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral, and Pendleton counties. In fact, the program has given away more than 15,500 books through 61 in-school programs and various community events. Sometimes, England explains, the students are among the first in the U.S. to get their hands on a copy of the latest books. “What we’re doing with WordPlay Connects means so much to me. I’m so grateful for this opportunity to help this generation of young readers have more books in their homes and to connect them with these amazing authors and illustrators they might not otherwise have the opportunity to meet.”
To England, community is everything—the glue holding us together. “We have to be intentional about showing up, giving back, talking to our neighbors, really listening to folks, and doing what needs to be done,” she advises. “And it’s definitely a team effort.”
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