Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 25, 1993 TAG: 9311250243
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: D1 EDITION: HOLIDAY
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Brauch, 84, only knew he wanted to use them to make a charitable contribution. To whom, he wasn't sure. In what amount, he figured enough to be considered substantial.
Brauch's broker suggested United Way of Roanoke Valley.
It was one of the best-managed charities in the Roanoke area, with low overhead and a reputation for doing the most good with its money "right here in the valley," Brauch said his broker told him.
Plus, Brauch had more than a passing knowledge of United Way. As an employee of the old Wabash Railroad Co. in St. Louis, he'd participated in United Way campaigns, both out of his own paycheck and by soliciting contributions from officers of the railroad.
Giving to United Way of Roanoke Valley "was something I thought I should do," Brauch said. "I'm getting up in the years. Anything I can do to help."
But what Brauch didn't realize was that the stock he signed over to United Way last month would bring the organization the largest individual gift for its 1993 campaign, possibly the largest in the organization's history: $17,775.
"They were investments I'd made, stock in different companies," Brauch said. "I knew they had increased in value. I thought the valley could get the maximum benefit of the value."
Brauch, of Roanoke County, will join the Alexis de Tocqueville Society, a group of five individuals and families who have contributed $10,000 or more. United Way of America created the society - named for a 17th century French statesman who was taken with Americans' spirit of volunteerism - to recognize people for outstanding service or support to their communities.
Brauch moved to Roanoke from St. Louis in 1964, after the merger of the Wabash and Norfolk and Western railroads. He spent much of his 44-year railroad career as assistant to the president. He retired in 1970 as director of automotive equipment and inspection.
Brauch's gift helped bring United Way of Roanoke Valley's current 1993 campaign total to $3.1 million.
Campaign chairman Joseph Vipperman, president of Appalachian Power Co., said Wednesday that contributions are up slightly over last year among organizations that have completed campaigns.
Some of the more significant campaign increases included Advance Auto Parts, which showed an almost $40,000 increase in employee giving. The company's employee gift totaled $85,095.
Vipperman said additional money was needed to meet the health and human service needs of Roanoke Valley residents.
"We're especially mindful of those needs during the holiday season," he said.
United Way chose not to cap this year's fund campaign with a target dollar amount. Still, even with a later starting date and the absence of "Pacesetter" campaigns usually conducted a month before the full-fledged campaign begins, the organization is keeping pace with last year's campaign, Vipperman said.
Last year, United Way raised an estimated $4.65 million. That amount enabled the organization to meet 75 percent of partner agency fund requests.
Vipperman said if he had to place a target amount on this year's campaign, it would be somewhere around $6 million.
The campaign opened Sept. 14 with a "Day of Caring." The event mobilized 2,200 business people, civic group members and government employees into volunteer service at 300 United Way partner agency projects.
Another 60,000 people participated in in-house projects at the workplace. A drive brought in 21 tons of food.
Final results of the 1993 campaign will be announced at United Way's annual meeting in January.
by CNB