Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, September 10, 1994 TAG: 9409120071
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In a crowd of business-attired folk, gathered in the park for United Way of Roanoke Valley's official 1994 campaign kickoff, she was easy to spot.
"I'm a lighthouse," she said, handing over a pamphlet and explaining that she had just slipped into the costume to relieve someone else of "lighthouse" duty.
"A lighthouse guides people towards safety through rough waters and away from dangerous shores," she read from the pamphlet. "Bethany Hall serves as a lighthouse for women recovering from alcoholism and other chemical addictions."
Sayre wandered through a crowd, offering samples of "lighthouse punch," an alcohol-free concoction of cranberry-raspberry juice, white grape juice and raspberry-flavored sparkling water. Sayre, 33, sampled some herself, pushing aside the lights that flopped in front of her face.
Because the punch had no alcohol, it was safe ground, Sayre said. She soon will complete Bethany Hall's treatment program for drug and alcohol abuse.
Bethany Hall is one of 36 United Way partner agencies whose operating budgets benefit from funds that the organization raises during its annual fall fund drives. More than half of them set up booths in Elmwood Park on Friday, offering testament to services provided and funds needed.
"Food, folks and funds. That's what we need," said Pamela Irvine, director of the Southwestern Virginia Second Harvest FoodBank. Irvine said she'd attended a meeting on Thursday of executives of United Way partner agencies, at which similar sentiments were expressed for money and volunteers.
"Many see this as becoming a trend in the valley at this point - a need to recruit volunteers and find additional funding," she said.
United Way has set a 1994 campaign goal of $4.9 million. Already, the goal has received a $354,000 boost from the "Pacesetter" campaign, held this summer to jump-start fall fund raising.
The amount raised by 11 Pacesetter organizations was 15 percent above projections.
"The results are real good," said Bob Kulinski, United Way's president and chief professional officer. "I hope this will carry over into this year's campaign. I'm predicting this year will be the start of a string of three or four good campaigns in a row."
United Way has not met its goal since 1988. Last year, the organization raised $4.7 million - without setting a goal. This year, it returned to tradition by setting a goal that is 5.3-percent higher than the amount raised last year.
Money raised during the 1993 campaign fell short of enabling United Way to fund 100 percent of the amount that partner agencies estimated they needed.
Many needs - those of the frail elderly, the disabled, youth and family - continue to go unmet, United Way officials have said.
Contributions this year will enable United Way to fund new high-priority programs, such as a sick-child care program at the Greenvale School, a teen outreach program, a preventive program for families at risk of domestic violence and a tutoring and sports program for young people.
The 1994 campaign will run through October.
by CNB