Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 25, 1995 TAG: 9507250068
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-5 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ROBERT FREIS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
They believe the United Way of Montgomery County, Radford & Floyd will strengthen fund-raising efforts by eliminating duplication and fragmentation.
"It was decided that this would just be the most practical thing to do," said Kymn Davidson-Hamley, executive director.
She said regional social service agencies, previously supported by independent campaigns, will now be fed from the same plate, served directly by the expanded campaign.
"It's the best of regionalism at work," said Deborah Brown, local United Way president.
The consolidation of Floyd with the previously combined Montgomery County and Radford campaign reduces separate United Way organizations in the New River Valley from four to three. Prior to 1988 there were six local campaigns.
United Way campaigns in Pulaski and Giles counties will continue to operate independently.
There's been no talk of merger among the remaining campaigns, but Davidson-Hamley said all will work cooperatively, particularly on communications and marketing.
As part of the latest merger, four Floyd County agencies have been added to the list of those to be supported by the 1995 campaign: the Emergency Assistance Program, the Multidisciplinary Team (a child abuse prevention coalition), the Volunteer Fire Department and the Reaction Youth Assistance Program.
The board of directors for the larger campaign also was expanded to include five new Floyd County members.
"The majority of our residents work outside Floyd County in the surrounding area," said Steve Middleton, president of the old United Fund of Floyd County. "We have used the resources of the United Way of Montgomery County and Radford ... we share many of the same agencies. Given these factors, it seemed natural that the two organizations should merge."
Administrative costs will not increase, Davidson-Hamley said. The organization has three full-time staffers and that number will remain the same.
The 1995 campaign will begin Sept. 8 with the annual Day of Caring. Last year, $871,000 was raised to support United Way agencies in Montgomery and Floyd counties and Radford.
by CNB