Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, July 16, 1993 TAG: 9307160386
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
For years, United Way has capped its fund-raising efforts with a target dollar amount.
But this year, with Appalachian Power Co. President Joseph Vipperman leading the campaign, United Way aims to raise as much as it can, without limitations.
"If we were to set a typical goal it would probably exceed last year's amount by 3, 4 or 5 percent," Vipperman said, after a news conference. "The needs of health and human services are significantly higher than that. What we really want to do is come as close to meeting those needs as we possibly can."
United Way has been funding only half of what its 26 member agencies say they need, he said.
"If we set an absolute dollar goal, somebody will say `We can't make that,' " he said. "It's a little bit of a challenge. But it's my belief that by doing that, we will exceed the goal that would otherwise have been set."
United Way chapters across the nation reported an average 4 percent decrease in 1992 fund-raising campaigns, said Bob Kulinski, president and chief professional officer for Roanoke Valley United Way.
The Roanoke Valley chapter showed a nearly 1 percent increase in 1992, reaching just over a $4.65 million goal, he said. The increase, however slight, was considered good, given economic conditions and public reaction to a national United Way scandal.
Because the United Way relies heavily on payroll deductions, it is especially sensitive to company layoffs. Last year, the Roanoke Valley chapter lowered its 1992 goal to that of the amount raised in 1991 after two United Way stalwarts - Dominion Bankshares and Gardner Denver Mining and Construction - announced that they would lay off workers.
United Way of America is still feeling the effects of last year's management scandal. But according to market surveys, it is having less of an impact on giving, Kulinski said.
The scandal - in which then-national United Way President William Aramony resigned amid questions about his spending and management practices - ranked third among reasons given for not contributing. The first reason given was the economy, followed by "nobody asked them," Kulinski said.
To spur giving this year, Roanoke Valley United Way announced Thursday that its fall fund-raising campaign will kick off with a "Day of Caring," an event to encourage hundreds of volunteers to give back.
From noon Sept. 14 to noon Sept. 15, Roanoke Valley residents will devote hours of community service at United Way's member agencies.
Jean Glontz, a United Way board member who is chairing Day of Caring, said United Way of America has found that once people get into the agencies, they tend to increase their employee payroll contributions. She expects the same to happen in the Roanoke area.
"It's an exciting project, bringing United Way to life for thousands of people in the Roanoke Valley," Glontz said.
An expected 2,000 volunteers will paint rooms, build fences, read to children, deliver meals, clean up grounds - anything that agencies have placed on their needs lists. Additional volunteer projects will be held at schools, colleges, churches, offices and civic clubs for those who cannot participate in projects at United Way agencies.
Volunteers are being recruited through employers, churches and civic clubs.
United Way of the Roanoke Valley is a nonprofit, voluntary organization that raises money through an annual communitywide campaign to fund health and human-care programs for the residents of Roanoke, Salem and Vinton and Botetourt, Craig and Roanoke counties.
by CNB