Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, September 19, 1993 TAG: 9309170053
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Bonnie Svrcek
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Earlier this year, I was asked to help our neighbors in Montgomery County and Radford by serving as the chairperson for the Montgomery County and Radford United Way. As we approach the 1993 United Way Campaign, I want to share with you "what has been in it for me" during the past several months, and what I believe is in it for you as a United Way giver.
Recently, I had the opportunity to visit a majority of the United Way agencies funded by the generosity of our community. I thought it was vital that I understand their services if we are to have a successful campaign.
I visited the New River Valley Workshop, where people with disabilities are trained and become productive members of society. I was overwhelmed by the pride and sense of accomplishment of these young adults as they learned job skills in a competitive work environment.
While visiting the Shelter Home, which houses children who have been displaced or abandoned by their parents, I learned of the loving care and safe environment there.
I learned about the work Literacy Volunteers do in our community to help our neighbors learn to read; yes, folks in our neighborhoods and workplace.
While talking with the staff of Leisure Directions, I learned of services that provide recreational and social opportunities for our mentally retarded neighbors.
A visit to New River Valley Hospice taught me about its services that help all of us deal with our neighbors who are terminally ill.
I learned of the services offered by the Free Emergency Home Repair Program of Virginia Mountain Housing to provide safe housing for our neighbors.
The Children's Home Society educated me on its efforts to match children with prospective parents.
While increasing my awareness of the impact United Way dollars have on the great needs of our neighbors in Montgomery County, I learned some facts I think are worth sharing with you.
The fact is that more than 1,000 cases of spouse abuse were reported last year in the New River Valley.
The United responds: The 1,000 victims of domestic violence in Montgomery County and Radford found counseling, shelter and court assistance through the Women's Resource Center.
The fact is that more than 20 percent of New River Valley residents live in poverty, and 514 households in the New River Valley are considered substandard and unsuitable for the families living there.
The United Way responds: 7,063 people in Montgomery County and Radford received temporary financial assistance through the Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program; 80 to 100 men, women and children received clothing from the Radford Clothing Bank; and three families are first-time homeowners through the efforts of Habitat for Humanity.
The fact is 19.4 percent of adults will experience mental illness, and 15 percent of all schoolchildren are at risk of mental illness; 14,783 people in Montgomery County suffer from mental illness, and 5 percent of the total population is mentally retarded.
The United Way responds: 5,021 people in the New River Valley have been helped through community programs sponsored by the Mental Health Association; 235 mentally retarded people have participated in educational, social and therapeutic recreational programs through Leisure Directions; and 29 disabled individuals have learned vocational skills through the New River Valley Workshop.
The fact is 32 percent of adults in the New River Valley over age 25 have not graduated from high school, and 14,652 of those who did not graduate did not pass the ninth grade.
The United Way responds: 192 illiterate adults can read thanks to contributions and the Literacy Volunteers of the New River Valley.
The fact is United Way of Montgomery County and Radford responds to the needs of our community through our 32 partner agencies.
With these facts and responses reinforced by my agency visits, I am overwhelmed by the experience of seeing how the Montgomery County and Radford United Way serves our neighbors. While I have tried to describe my experience with many of our United Way partner agencies, I also can suggest that the collective goodwill of all 32 United Way agencies is an immense contribution to our community.
While planning for the United Way campaign, I have been reminded that it is only in giving that we receive. I truly hope that you, as a neighbor in our community, receive some of what I have received through the early stages of the United Way campaign.
"What's in it for me?" Words can hardly describe what's in it for me. Seeing an adult learn how to read or an adult with a disability smile as he learns a skill . . . seeing a family enjoy the pride of home ownership . . . that's what's in it for me, and that's what's in it for you.
A quote recently shared with me sums up the importance of caring:
the most beautiful and mysterious power that one human being can have on another - through the simple act of caring about the other's well-being."
\ Phillip Moffitt
Thank you for caring about our neighbors through your contributions to the Montgomery County-Radford United Way campaign.
Bonnie Svrcek is assistant town manager of Blacksburg and the 1993 campaign coordinator for the Montgomery County-Radford United Way.
by CNB