(Photo Illustration – MetroCreativeConnection)
PARKERSBURG — The McFriends/J Dollar Group completed 2024 with a meeting at St. Michael’s Catholic Church.
In 2024, $11,383 was contributed to the 10 participating churches, for a total of $244,730 since the group’s inception.
The non-denominational group welcomes attendees from different churches in the Parkersburg-Vienna area. They meet for breakfast, have a short business meeting and listen to a message from the pastor at the host church.
At each meeting, the men donate dollar bills with serial numbers beginning with the letter J, symbolizing Jesus, and provide other contributions for the host church to use for projects like mission work, church camps, food pantries and assistance to families in need.
The program leader is Joe Thorpe, and corresponding secretary is John Dobson. The first meeting of 2025 — the group takes January and February off — is set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 19, at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 1710 23rd St., Parkersburg.
All meetings are on the third Wednesday of the month. The 2025 schedule is:
* March 19 — Emmanuel Baptist Church, 1710 23rd St., Parkersburg.
* April 16 — Vienna Baptist Church, 34th Street and Grand Central Avenue.
* May 21 — Grand Central Church of Christ, 5805 Grand Central Ave., Vienna.
* June 18 — Lynn Street Church of Christ, 1714 Lynn St., Parkersburg.
* July 16 — Fellowship Baptist Church, 3300 Rosemar Road (West Virginia 14 end), Vienna.
* Aug. 20 — Stout Memorial United Methodist Church, 34th and Broad streets, Parkersburg.
* Sept. 17 — New Hope Baptist Church, 1777 Rosemar Road, Parkersburg.
* Oct. 15 — Wayside United Methodist Church, 3001 Grand Central Ave., Vienna.
* Nov. 19 — First Presbyterian Church, 1341 Juliana St., Parkersburg.
* Dec. 17 — St. Michael Catholic Church, 55th Street and Grand Central Avenue, Vienna.
