The Mountain Loggers Group (MLG) is a non-profit corporation whose members are primarily loggers, foresters, and forestry allied businesses, concentrated in northcentral/northeastern West Virginia, western Maryland, southcentral Pennsylvania, and western Virginia. The association began in 1994 and has engaged in a variety of activities beneficial to the logging and timber industry, as well as a strong philanthropic program supporting WVU Children’s hospital through the national Log-a-Load for Kids program, a Community Outreach program assisting organizations and families in need of financial support, and an annual scholarship program.
Over the years, the MLG has implemented a number of activities in support of the logging community including: a bulk purchasing program, a logging safety initiative, several in-woods logging equipment demonstrations, and a regional logging equipment show and exposition as co-sponsor. The group was also instrumental in getting an Exceptional Hauling Permit in Maryland to increase gross vehicle weight by adding a sixth axle and members have provided testimony to legislative committees in West Virginia and Maryland.
In early October 2021, we held our annual Log-a-Load for Kids log auction at Newlon’s International Sales yard in Elkins, WV. This was the 25th consecutive year for the log auction and was the largest fundraiser to date, raising more than $150,000. Our generous supporters donated 25 loads of logs, including 20 loads of sawlogs and peelers, four loads of pulpwood, and one large load of veneer logs. Other items included two pallets of wood pellets, post and rail fencing, firewood, a WV fire ring, flitch savers, a baby crib, rocking chair, wine barrel, and several signs.
Each year, the four highest contributors from the previous year’s auction (2020) are recognized and awarded a plaque. These awards went to: Heritage Hardwoods – Largest Contributor; Northwest Hardwoods – Second Largest Contributor; Weyerhaeuser Timberlands – Third Largest Contributor; and Mullican Flooring – Fourth Largest Contributor. Also, each year the President’s Service Award is presented to a deserving member of the MLG. This year the award went to Sharon Sisler, who is retiring as the long serving Chairperson of the Log-a-Load for Kids Committee.
With this year’s log auction proceeds the MLG was able to complete its commitment of $500,000 for the cafeteria in the new WVU Children’s Hospital, which is scheduled to open in February 2022. The cafeteria will be named in memory of Tim Pahl, long time member, secretary, and dear friend of the MLG. The Group has also committed another $75,000 to a large conference/multi-purpose room in the new hospital, honoring long-time supporters, dear friends, and founding members Butch Glotfelty and his wife Ann, who recently passed away.
In the 25 years of supporting WVU Children’s Hospital, the MLG has donated over $2.1 million and is committed to supporting this important organization for years to come.
Also, the MLG has recently sponsored a golf tournament and an Elimination Dinner (with silent auction) generating more than $25,000 in support of our Community Outreach program. Through the Community Outreach program, the MLG has most recently contributed funds to families in need of travel expenses associated with hospitalized family members, Angel Tree programs at local schools (providing clothing to needy children) in two WV counties (Monongalia and Preston) and one MD county (Garrett), Hospice of Garrett County, and school lunch programs. Past contributions have included generators for critical medical equipment and a dog specially trained to sense medical issues with children, among others.
The Mountain Loggers Group Scholarship is administered by Your Community Foundation, headquartered in Morgantown, WV. Interested students can complete an online application during the February/March timeframe each year. Recent scholarships have been valued at $1,000.
For more information about the Mountain Loggers Group and its charitable activities, contact Danny Sines, President (301-501-2348 or email at generation3logging@gmail.com) or Rusty Leonard, Secretary (304-642-9715 or email at russleonard@msn.com).
