Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 26, 1993 TAG: 9303260315
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
DESPITE OBSTACLES, UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN PASSES GOAL
Neither snow nor rain nor minor flooding could keep the United Way of Montgomery County-Radford from celebrating its successes.And neither layoffs, a national United Way scandal nor the loss of two key local staff members could keep the organization from reaching - even surpassing - its 1992 campaign goal, officials said Wednesday at a gathering to recognize volunteers and leaders.
The 1992 campaign raised $746,842, or 2.6 percent more than the $727,688 goal and almost 10 percent more than the amount raised in 1991.
That money will be divided among 30 agencies that serve the county and Radford, including the American Red Cross, the Women's Resource Center of the New River Valley, the Teen Parent Support Program, Literacy Volunteers of America and Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program.
Taylor Cole, outgoing president, told those at Wednesday's program - delayed a month because of snow - that the evening was a celebration of "you and the hundreds of others . . . who by the unselfish contribution of personal resources . . . have shown that they can care for those in our community who really need help."
Cole found the success of the 1992 campaign remarkable considering the obstacles volunteers faced.
"We have had layoffs. We have had an unemployment situation that has surpassed 10 percent," and a lethargic economy, said Cole, who recently became chairman of the New River Valley Economic Development Alliance.
Across the country, many United Ways reduced their campaign goals or kept them level, in reaction to the economy and the fallout over the excesses of former national United Way President Bill Aramony.
In the face of those obstacles, the goal may have seemed to be a pipe dream, he said.
Lu Merritt Jr., campaign chairman, praised companies, including Federal Mogul in Blacksburg, that played leadership roles in the campaign, and others that either increased their donations or initiated campaigns.
Merritt echoed Cole's comments about the hurdles the campaign faced, including the loss of Executive Director Annette Clark after the campaign started and later the loss of Amanda Montague, communications director.
Clark resigned in October, citing personal reasons. Montague left shortly thereafter to move to New Jersey.
Kymn Davidson-Hamley is the organization's new executive director. She previously was director of the Pulaski County United Way.
Al Payne, a Blacksburg minister, told the volunteers they were "putting unity in community" with their efforts.
"In a time of fragmentation . . . you have demonstrated unity; you have provided glue," Payne said. "in a time of greed . . . you have demonstrated . . . the possibility of compassion.
T.O. Williams III, assistant director of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, was installed as president for the next annual campaign and Bonnie Svrcek, Blacksburg's assistant town manager, as campaign chairwoman.