Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 12, 1995 TAG: 9510120010
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Anyone who has traveled Interstate 581/Roy Webber Expressway over the past several months knows of the enormous construction project. I have traveled this way to and from work with little to no traffic delays. For this, I am grateful.
Speed limits have resumed; the workers are no longer in sight, and their equipment has been moved on. But, the workmanship and quality remains.
These workers have struggled in all kinds of weather, including extreme heat this summer. They also have risked working in heavy traffic, including near tractor-trailers. For the most part speed limits were obeyed.
Let's be proud of our new highway and the many people responsible. Hats off to you and thank you!
Theresa Wright
Roanoke
Dear Neighbors:
On behalf of the Virginia Harley Owner's Group State Rally Planning Committee, I would like to thank the city of Roanoke for the outstanding reception we received during our recent motorcycle rally at the Roanoke Civic Center. Despite the rain, we had a wonderful event in your lovely area, and we very much appreciated the positive media coverage provided by your newspaper and the local news organizations. The Roanoke Valley Conventions & Visitors Bureau and the Roanoke Civic Center could not have been more generous in its assistance.
The Harley Owner's Group Rallies are designed for fun, but along with the fun we try to benefit the community that welcomes us. At the Roanoke Virginia State Rally, we sponsored a blood drive for the Roanoke Valley Red Cross (a first for our particular rally), and raised funds for the Roanoke Valley Muscular Dystrophy Association. In addition, the planning committee voted to make a donation to the Roanoke Emergency Medical Service and the Roanoke Police Department. Funds offered to the Roanoke Police Department for their kind assistance will be donated to the Emergency Medical Service in their name at its request.
It was a thrill (and a challenge) to ride in our rainy parade on Saturday, but it was even more of a thrill to wave to the residents of Roanoke who came out to see us despite the rain. We appreciate the warm reception and will certainly consider returning to the area in the future.
Just let us know if you have another drought - it seems like we brought the rain.
Lu Steger
1995 Virginia State H.O.G. Rally Coordinator
Dear Neighbors:
The United Way of the Roanoke Valley's 1995 campaign is well under way. LOA Area Agency on Aging, a United Way partner, strongly supports this effort to raise money for three of our 23 programs as well as other important local human services.
Without United Way, 367 of our sick elderly neighbors, who have no other means of transportation, couldn't get to the doctor. United Way is the only funding source for LOA's Vital Services Transportation program.
Without United Way, 11 frail elderly men and women wouldn't get Meals-On-Wheels. These hungry people are our neighbors, relatives and fellow church members. The hot, nutritious lunch may be the only meal they eat. And, the Meals-On-Wheels volunteer may be the only person the recipient sees each day.
Without United Way, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program's 300 volunteers at 26 community agencies couldn't volunteer. The homeless would go hungry, children wouldn't have mentors, museums would not have much needed help. One of our community's assets - retirees contributing their energy and experience to ensure that our community is a better place - would go unused.
The campaign is especially important in these times when our elected officials are making tough decisions about funding services at local agencies.
LOA thanks the community for caring.
Susan B. Williams
Executive director, LOA
Dear Neighbors:
We recently attended Beach Festival '95 at Victory Stadium, we think it was a great show. The people who put this together did a super job.
It was our first time but we do plan to attend next year because it was both affordable and all five bands were great. For those who did not go, you'd be surprised at what you missed.
Thanks to The Roanoke Times and all the others who made this happen. Hope you will sponsor this again next year.
Frank Foster, family and friends
Martinsville
Dear Neighbors:
The YWCA of Roanoke Valley is proud that we are one of the original charter partner agencies of United Way of the Roanoke Valley. For 81 years, the YWCA has provided services to women, and their families. For close to 60 years, we have received support from United Way. With this continual support, the YWCA has been able to offer safe, affordable, transitional housing for homeless women, pregnant teens, and their children.
United Way was among the first to support the YWCA after-school and summer activities for teen women whose idle time makes them vulnerable to early sexual activity, and consequently, pregnancy. Through these and other YWCA programs, adult and teen women find a place where they are valued, where they receive life-skills training, and where they eventually fashion for themselves positive and constructive alternatives. Without United Way, our association could not offer the continuity of needed services that has been our rich tradition.
From child care to elder care, United Way partner agencies provide an array of life-long support services that respond to the needs of Valley residents. Through donor designation and donor restriction - called Donor Choice by United Way - contributors may pick and choose programs that best reflect their personal beliefs about how to address a whole host of needs and issues. Fortunately, the choice has been ours. In the absence of choice, the potential for finding just the right service that responds to a particular need is limited. In the absence of choice, the opportunity to actively participate in designing a vision for our future is denied.
Virginia Allison
President, YWCA of the Roanoke Valley
by CNB