Marley Jovior of Parkersburg is pulled by Cat Bigley, executive director of The Amputee Center in Parkersburg, at a monthly mixer at the center. Bigley and The Amputeer Center will be recognized in September with a 2024 Celebrating Healthy West Virginia Award from Celebrating Healthy West Virginia. (Photo provided)

PARKERSBURG — The Amputee Center in Parkersburg and its executive director will be recognized by the state of West Virginia for promoting and creating opportunities to make West Virginia a healthier place.

The 2024 Celebrating Healthy West Virginia Awards from Celebrating Healthy West Virginia, a program developed by the state Department of Health, will be presented to the Amputee Center and Executive Director Cat Bigley in a recognition ceremony on Sept. 18 at Glade Springs Resort. The award recognizes the efforts of organizations and communities to make West Virginia a healthier place to live, learn, work, eat and play.

Now in its fifth year, Celebrating Healthy West Virginia has expanded the program to recognize individual organizations and communities. With 14 other organizations, The Amputee Center is among the first nominees to be recognized in the newly expanded format.

Bigley is appreciative of the award, which came with a gift of $1,300 that will be used to buy more exercise equipment.

“We didn’t even know it was coming to us,” she said.

The Amputee Center aims to improve physical and emotional health after limb loss. The facility and equipment enables prosthetists, therapists, fitness instructors and behavioral and other health specialists to hold classes, events and meetings and provides the opportunity for all residents to learn more about limb loss and limb loss prevention.

The nonprofit center is also an information hub for limb loss awareness, resources, classes, events and financial assistance. Amputees, family and friends can schedule time to socially meet to encourage sharing knowledge and camaraderie.

The one-day event at Glade Springs will feature workshops on storytelling, program development and worksite wellness, among other topics. The conference will be followed by a banquet honoring organizations across West Virginia that are making positive health-related impacts in their communities.

Celebrating Healthy West Virginia is accepting more nominations for the 2024 recognition through Aug. 1. To nominate an organization or learn more about the program, go to celebratinghealthywv.com.