ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, December 23, 1995 TAG: 9512250049
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
Christmas came a little early for United Way of Roanoke Valley: The charitable organization announced Friday that its 1995 fund drive has brought in more than $5 million.
It is the largest amount United Way has ever raised in an annual campaign, and this is the first time in seven years that the organization has met its goal.
"We've made goal, but we've got a long way to go to meet the needs of our partner agencies in the community and the families they serve," Ben Jenkins, 1995 campaign chairman, said at a news conference.
"But no matter how you look at it or examine it or dice it or slice it, it's been a record year for our United Way."
The news conference was held at the Plaza of Roanoke-Salem at the Christmas distribution center for the Salvation Army, one of United Way's 36 partner agencies.
When United Way started its campaign in September, it set its sights high - a $5 million goal.
The $5.056 million raised is 5.5 percent more than the $4.8 million raised last year. It represents the largest percentage increase among United Way affiliates in Virginia and is one of the highest growth increases of United Way affiliates in the Southeast, Jenkins said.
Bob Kulinski, United Way president, said the number of givers this year was about the same as last year. Though the organization generated a lot of new contributors, it lost an almost equal number with employer downsizing and reorganization.
But the average gift went up about 11 percent, Kulinski said. That, plus increased donations from "leadership givers" - those giving $1,000 or more - and increased corporate giving boosted total donations, he said.
The $5.056 million raised is 5.5 percent more than the amount raised last year. It represents the largest percentage increase among United Way affiliates in Virginia. And it is one of the highest growth increases of United Way affiliates in the Southeastern United States, Jenkins said.
Americans boosted their donations to the nation's largest charities by 6.3 percent last year, according to a survey of the Chronicle of Philanthropy. But United Ways weren't among them. They experienced a small decrease - less than 1 percentage point.
One of the United Way of Roanoke Valley's key objectives this year was to boost its profile. The organization wrapped its campaign theme around football, bringing in such NFL greats as Bart Starr, Art Donovan and Mercury Morris as guest speakers at campaign progress luncheons.
"This record giving will help many people and families in the Roanoke Valley," said Jenkins, president of First Union National Bank of Virginia. "That's what this is all about. Each of us should be proud of the part we played in the campaign."
The 1995 campaign hasn't officially closed. Several employee groups have not completed their campaigns, Jenkins said, and United Way anticipates additional year-end gifts from those who usually wait until late December to make contributions.
Jenkins predicted that the total gifts will reach $5.1 million.
LENGTH: Medium: 61 linesby CNB