From left, Jefferson Security Bank Community Impact Coordinator Mary Alvaro, Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers owner Stephen Skinner, Jefferson Security Bank President and CEO Cindy Kitner, Shepherdstown Volunteer Fire Department Treasurer Denny Barron and Shepherdstown Street Fest organizer John Meeker stand with the $5,000 donation check in the fire station. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Shepherdstown Street Fest may only be held one day a year, but its effects are often felt long after the tents are closed and stages taken down.

As in years past, the 2023 Shepherdstown Street Fest was not only intended to celebrate community togetherness, but was also used to raise money for charity. Each year, $10,000 out of the festival’s proceeds are divided between two charitable organizations that are making a positive impact on Shepherdstown and its surrounding community.

“Every year, Shepherdstown Street Fest names two nonprofit organizations to which we donate a portion of our proceeds to, one regional and one local,” said Shepherdstown Street Fest organizer John Meeker. “In 2022, we were able to donate $5,000 to the Eastern Panhandle Empowerment Center and $5,000 to Shepherdstown Shares! This year’s beneficiaries will be Shepherdstown Volunteer Fire Department and Stars that Shine, a regional organization that offers empowerment programs and support for girls ages 12-20 in the Eastern Panhandle.”

On July 20, proceeds from the June 24 event were presented to the two organization at the Shepherdstown Volunteer Fire Department, in the form of oversized checks.

“We work with girls in Jefferson County,” said Stars That Shine founder Alisha Puller. “With this funding we plan to expand our programs in Jefferson County, so we are able to reach more girls, along with being able to serve more girls in Jefferson County who may need feminine hygiene products and education on healthy menstrual cycles.

From left, Jefferson Security Bank Community Impact Coordinator Mary Alvaro, Jefferson Security Bank President and CEO Cindy Kitner, Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers owner Stephen Skinner, Stars That Shine Auditing Committee Chair Jessica Sykes, Stars That Shine founder Alisha Puller and Shepherdstown Street Fest organizer John Meeker stand with the $5,000 donation check along Martinsburg Pike. Tabitha Johnston

“We were beyond honored to be selected as a recipient of the festival proceeds,” Puller said. “I believe the funding and the partnership with Street Fest will help us grow in Jefferson County in particular, as that is where we first launched Stars That Shine.”

Shepherdstown Volunteer Fire Department Treasurer Denny Barron said the donation would be used to provide for equipment needs and upkeep at the fire department.

Two local businesses, who were this year’s major Street Fest sponsors, played major roles in the donation being able to take place, according to Meeker.

“The donations of our two lead sponsors, Jefferson Security Bank (JSB) and Stephen Skinner’s law firm, allowed Street Fest to happen. Without them, none of this would have resulted from that,” Meeker said. “JSB was our main stage sponsor, at $5,000, and Stephen Skinner was our library stage sponsor, at $3,000.”

For Skinner, Street Fest’s charitable mindset is reflective of the town it was founded in.

“I think it’s really the core of what Shepherdstown is about! You’ve got a volunteer organization putting on a fantastic event, that’s also directly helping people in the community. That’s exactly how we want to support our communities!” Skinner said. “I actually helped incorporate Street Fest, personally, years ago. I’ve always been supportive of it. I do volunteer every year — most years, I just pour beer, but this year I poured beer and sold drink tickets.”

Those interested in volunteering with Stars That Shine or signing a young woman up for one of its empowerment programs should visit the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization’s website, https://www.stslg2success.com/, or call 304-240-1720.

To learn more about the Shepherdstown Volunteer Fire Department, visit https://shepherdstownfiredepartment.com/.