Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 1, 1990 TAG: 9003310228
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV14 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KIM SUNDERLAND CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
"We're real excited," said executive director Susan Roop Gibas. "It turned out to be quite an event."
From junior- and adult-leaguers, Radford University, Virginia Tech and the general public, Gibas said the non-profit organization met their expectation of raising between $25,000 and $30,000.
Gibas said this fund-raiser accounts for a third of the organization's income.
Supported in part by money from donations through United Way, and receiving no state or federal assistance, Big Brothers and Big Sisters now has money that will, in part, pay for a new safety program that includes education on sexual abuse. The safety program will be required for the children, their parents and the volunteers.
"We're really pleased with the results," said the group's board president, Dee Strauss. "We appreciate the community's help immensely."
Strauss said there could be another fund-raiser this summer to supplement the organization's budget. Money is also needed to hire another case manager to assign and monitor matches between the "bigs" and the "littles."
There are about 30 matches in the New River area, but there is also a waiting list for perhaps 30 to 40 more matches.
"I have to go over the figures to see how and when another position can be funded," said Gibas.
The next fund-raiser could be held before August, since the chapters cannot interfere with United Way activities, which are held from September to December.
The New River Valley chapter, with headquarters of Main Street in Christiansburg, is part of a national organization that matches adult volunteers with children who need more support - usually those from single-parent homes.
The deadline to turn in pledges for "Bowl For Kids' Sake" is April 20.
For information, call 381-0300.
by CNB