Community

Old Stone House launches Charity Partner Program for 2026

MORGANTOWN - The Service League of Morgantown's annual Charity Partner Program begins on Sept. 7 and will last until Dec. 31 for its 19th annual fundraising event.

The Service League was founded in 1935 and resides at 313 Chestnut St. in the Old Stone House. The League's mission is to raise money for local citizens and businesses through community service, youth scholarships and food assistance.

Throughout its creation, the League has donated over $495,163 to the Morgantown community. The Charity Partnership Program launched in 2008 and has contributed $70,985 to Monongalia County nonprofits, including Literacy Volunteers, Mon County Special Olympics, Scott's Run Settlement House, Meals on Wheels, Lauren's Wish and more.

Connie Erenrich, Service League president, has been involved in the charity since 2002. She explained that the board members vote every year on 15 nonprofits to partner with.

Each business will receive 10% of the Old Stone House's gross sales or a $400 minimum during their designated dates. Erenrich is proud of the great success the Old Stone House has had every year.

"The stone house itself, all profits go back into the community," she said. "We've had a couple of phenomenal years. We've been in service for 90 years as of 2026, and we've had very good success, in spite of people worrying about tariffs and about the economy, people will come in and buy local."

The first charity partnership will be the Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center (RDVIC) and will last from Sept 7-13. A full schedule of partnerships can be found at the Old Stone House's Facebook page, facebook.com/OldStoneHouseGiftShop/.

The shop provides unique, local decor and West Virginia souvenirs and artisan items. Erenrich said that the active team consists of about 50 people, all with unique talents to keep the shop alive.

"We have people who make handcrafts. We have people that do retail ... our retail people search out West Virginia items from all over the state," she said.

Erenrich said that the most valuable part of the event for her is giving back to local food pantries.

"We are very strong with helping the pantries," Erenrich said. "They themselves have been struggling the last couple years, and we have been able to double what we usually pay."

The Old Stone House hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Erenrich encourages community members to support the business year-round.

"All our profits go back into the community, and we are all run by volunteers," she said.