
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 11, 1990                   TAG: 9004110037
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV11   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: New River Valley bureau
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Short

HUGO UNRHU AWARD FOR 1990 GOES TO JOHN SLATE OF RADFORD

John Slate and Slate his wife, Maxine, roll out of bed at 5 a.m. to pick up day-old bread and pastry items for needy families.

His work for the New River Valley React Club also includes Christmas in July, a program through which needy children get a summertime visit from St. Nick.

And he also helps elderly people shop for groceries and fill other needs.

For his good deeds before and after sunrise, Slate was given the 1990 Hugo Unruh Award Friday at Industrial Drives.

Kollmorgen Corp. subsidiaries Industrial Drives and Inland Motor give the awards in recognition of personal service and contribution to community development.

They are named for the founder of Inland Motor.

"It's just a real delight to me and a real surprise," Slate, 61, said during the award ceremony.

Slate, is a former Alcoholic Beverage Commission Board employee who previously worked in the wholesale auto parts business.

He has lived here since 1951.

Besides helping to provide food for the needy, Slate is an honorary member of the Radford Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, helping with fund raising and the squad's bingo nights.

"John is not concerned with words and phrases like `impossible,' `it can't be done,' and `who really cares,' " the award's nominating committee wrote.

"He feels that one person, doing his best, can make a difference; can at least make a bad situation better - and he has."

by CNB