Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, January 19, 1995                   TAG: 9501240010
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: E-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: CHARLES STEBBINS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

VINTON RESIDENTS BAND TOGETHER TO PROMOTE SPORTS FOR THEIR KIDS

The meeting will begin at 4 p.m. in the auditorium of William Byrd High School.

Billy Obenchain, one of the organizers, said the meeting will be open to anyone in the area who wishes to be a charter member or offer other help.

One of the first tasks will be getting volunteers to serve on various committees, such as finance and bylaws, he said.

The goal in the beginning, Obenchain said, will be to promote sports for children ages 6 through high school in all of Vinton's schools and recreational groups, including sports groups for adults and senior citizens. The foundation will work in conjunction with booster clubs and the Roanoke County Department of Parks and Recreation.

In the beginning, Obenchain said the foundation will concentrate on developing sports but a goal for the future is to set up a scholarship fund so the foundation can work to benefit children both athletically and academically.

Obenchain said the idea for a sports foundation arose recently during casual conversation between him and several other citizens in Vinton.