(WVVA/Charleston) - The Today Show's Al Roker was in West Virginia Friday morning for a program called Lend A Hand.
"Lend A Hand" began shortly after the attacks on September 11, 2001, with the goal of helping out local charities who were taking a big hit on charitable giving, because so much was going to 9-11 charities.
Ten years later, the program is stronger than ever, possibly reaching around $10 million dollars total this year, up from $4 million last year and only a few hundred thousand in its first year.
Friday was West Virginia's turn in the week-long trip the Today Show's Penske truck makes each year. Al's 2011 stops also included Anchorage, AK Monday, Las Vegas Tuesday, Houston, TX Wednesday, and Birmingham, AL Thursday!
Several trucks piled into the Clay Center's parking lot early Friday morning filled with donated goods for a lucky, local charity. The recipient was The Covenant House, which is a local day shelter where the homeless or nearly homeless can spend time, clean up, get food and supplies, and find stable housing. All told, they received over $1.3 million dollars worth of goods! Find out more about them here: http://www.wvcovenanthouse.org/
If you are interested in donating to Lend A Hand, click here: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/42686428
Al Roker talks with Meteorologist Janna Brown
Al Roker with the CEO of The Covenant House
