Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, January 13, 1992 TAG: 9201130073
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETSY BIESENBACH SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
MORE AID FOR MORE IN NEED
This year, a few more people will be saved from homelessness than last year. Others will get medicines they badly need but can't afford, and more hungry bodies will be filled with good, hot food.1991 was a record year for the Good Neighbors Fund, which, through Roanoke Area Ministries, provides emergency financial assistance to the needy for rent, food and utilities.
As of Friday, $123,714.83 had been raised, over $8,700 more than last year. The fund drive, sponsored by the Roanoke Times & World-News, officially ended on New Year's Day, but money is still coming in. Contributions received until the end of June will be added to this year's total.
Julie Hollingsworth, RAM's director, said "pleased " does not describe how she feels about this year's total. "I'm elated," she said.
Because of the troubled economy, she said, RAM has had more than the usual number of applications for assistance this year. Next year is expected to be even worse, she said. The fate of the homeless and hungry is "in the hands of the community," and this year, the community responded "with compassion." "You state a need, and it's amazing how quickly people respond," she said.
Although the fund drive was over at the end of the year, the problems that bring people to Hollingsworth's office don't end as quickly or as cleanly.
Almost two dozen people who had been helped by the Good Neighbors Fund last year shared their stories. They gave faces and voices to what might otherwise have been a dry tally of daily contributions. In the weeks that have passed since they were interviewed, their lives have gone on, some changing for the better, some for the worse.
Sabina Barlow, who had lost her job and was in danger of losing her home because of severe headaches, is now being treated by a doctor who is donating his services. She lost her job at a department store, but Hollingsworth said Barlow has been offered other jobs doing what she likes best: taking care of children.
Pookie, a recovering alcoholic, is still sober, and is spending time with some of his 16 children. He lost his job, but he is looking for another one. He also had to move from the apartment he was renting, but Hollingsworth and her staff has helped him find another.
Annie, whose husband lost his job in the fall, said "things are looking up" for her and her family now. Although her husband doesn't have steady work yet, he is doing odd jobs, and is bringing money into the household again.
With his income and help from RAM and other agencies, "Christmas was really good," Annie said. "There were gifts for the children, and food to eat, but mostly it was being together. There was a lot of love."
Becky, who lives in an affluent part of Roanoke County and suddenly found herself struggling to make ends meet when her husband left unexpectedly, got the Christmas gift she most wanted.
On Christmas Eve, her husband showed up at her front door. Since then the two have been working out their problems.
"I kept my faith up," she said. "I kept thinking he would be back."
In November, Shirley, who lives on a fixed income, was faced with the choice of paying her rent or buying hundreds of dollars worth of medications. Since then, she has been able to get samples of her heart, blood pressure, and asthma prescriptions from her doctor. A pharmacist has agreed to let her buy one-month supplies of her other medicines rather than several months' worth, she said. This leaves money left over for the other bills, which so far she is paying.
Shirley said she is grateful for the help she has been given, especially for the bag of groceries that got her through Christmas. If she could, she said, she would buy a card for everyone involved.
"I sure do thank you all," she said. "God bless all of you."
***CORRECTION***
Published correction ran on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 1992\ Because of a reporter's error, incorrect information was reported in a story in Monday's Virginia section on the difference between the amount of money raised by the Good Neighbors Fund for 1991 and 1990. The 1991 fund that ended Dec. 31, raised $18,700 more than in 1990.
Memo: Correction