Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 29, 1995 TAG: 9506290082
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: TONYA WOODS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Some bankers and insurance salespeople in the Roanoke Valley rolled up their sleeves and went to work in a different way Wednesday, painting porches and washing cars as part of the United Way's third annual Day of Caring.
About 800 people took from one to three hours out of their workdays to volunteer on such projects as tutoring, sponsoring picnic lunches, gardening, filing records and making quilts.
Instead of the manual work often associated with being a volunteer, Moore's Lumber and Building Supplies Co. chose a different approach.
"Well, we couldn't close our offices down for a whole day while employees went out to volunteer," said Kathy Jansen of Moore's human resources department. She and about 115 Moore's employees held a baby shower for the Children's Home Society of Virginia.
Workers filled one of their offices with diapers, baby bottles, sleepers, bibs and clothes for babies placed in foster care by the Children's Home. The gifts went to the foster parents who shelter children - some of whom have health problems - who need temporary or long-term care away from their homes.
"We've had baby showers before," said Sharon McGraw, executive director of the Children's Home Society, "but this one is really great. It's wonderful to be a part of this day, because the volunteers are always so enthused and committed."
Appalachian Power Co. conducted a focus group on welfare reform; Allstate Insurance Co. held a forum on HIV/AIDS education for the Council of Community Services.
"It gives volunteers the chance to get involved with the agencies and hopefully spread the word about the importance of volunteering," said Dick Robers, United Way chairman of the day's events.
This year, the Women's Resource Center of Total Action Against Poverty, a United Way-funded agency, chose a unique way to spread the word about domestic abuse. Agency volunteers put up posters in public restrooms to let women know where to get help if they are abused. Kroger grocery stores, Hills Department Stores and public libraries are some of the places that will display the posters, which depict a battered woman.
"Last year, we had volunteers put up shelves, and another year, they filled our pantry," said Fern Patrick, operations manager at TAP. "This year, we wanted to try something other programs had done before," referring to the poster distribution.
United Way is a nonprofit organization that raises money through valleywide campaigns to fund agencies that help residents in Roanoke, Salem and Vinton and Botetourt, Craig and Roanoke counties. The campaign raised $4.7 million last year.
"This day has shown that Roanoke Valley is a very caring community," said Heidi Krisch, a division chairwoman for United Way.
by CNB