ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, January 1, 1996 TAG: 9601020110
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: HOLIDAY
COLUMN: The good neighbors fund
SOURCE: BETSY BIESENBACH STAFF WRITER
Most people find out about the Roanoke Area Ministries emergency financial assistance program through friends, family or social service agencies. Anne (not her real name) was familiar with the program, which is supported by donations to the Good Neighbors Fund, because she and her husband used to contribute to it themselves.
This year, they have discovered what it is like to be on the receiving end.
Anne, 26, has a fairly common noncontagious skin condition that has disfigured her face. For most people, the disease can be controlled, but Anne's case is particularly stubborn. It is made worse by stress.
For three years, Anne tried to go on with her life as normally as possible, although her job involves dealing with the public and her appearance is important. But this fall, when a customer was especially rude to her, it got to be more than she could take, and Anne went on unpaid leave.
At first, she said, "we thought we'd be able to handle it." Her husband had a good job and worked a lot of overtime. Their income was enough that they had just bought their first house.
But shortly after Anne quit, her husband's overtime was cut, and, without her income, they began to fall behind on the bills. What savings they had were quickly depleted.
People don't realize how easy it is to get behind, she said. "Sometimes, there's no extra money for savings."
Anne has tried to find an office job where she can work alone, but she hasn't had much luck. She has many doctor's appointments to keep, and needs a very low-stress environment to keep her affliction under control.
It took Anne awhile to get up the courage to ask for help, she said, but she and her husband are "very grateful" for the money they received toward the gas and electric bills.
In the meantime, Anne is finding that not having a job is stressful in itself for someone who has worked all her life. If nothing else, she hopes to be able to do some volunteer work soon.
Checks made payable to the Good Neighbors Fund should be mailed to The Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 1951, Roanoke 24008.
Names - but not donation amounts - of contributing businesses, individuals or organizations, as well as memorial and honorific designations, will be listed in the newspaper. Those requesting that their names not be used will remain anonymous. If no preference is stated, the donor's name will be listed.
LENGTH: Medium: 52 linesby CNB