ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Wednesday, August 14, 1996             TAG: 9608140017
SECTION: CURRENT                  PAGE: NRV3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG 
SOURCE: ROBERT FREIS

FUND DRIVE BRINGS VAN FOR HANDICAPPED CHILD

Darrell Waugh Jr.'s challenging life has become a little bit easier after donations generated by a fund drive enabled his mother to purchase a van.

A number of donors responded to a newspaper article earlier this year about Darrell, a wheelchair-bound 6-year-old who has cerebral palsy. A campaign coordinated by Kimberly Braine, a special education aide at Kipps Elementary School, raised about $5,000.

Fifth-grade students at the school also conducted a benefit walk-a-thon on Darrell's behalf.

Recently, Darrell's mother, Drema, traded $2,500 of the fund and her father's car for a Dodge minivan from T&M Motors Inc. of Christiansburg.

The rest of the money will be used to outfit the van with a mechanical lift for Darrell's wheelchair, Braine said.

A search is under way for a lift and other equipment to outfit the van and Darrell's wheelchair, Braine said.

Money donated to the fund drive is designated for Darrell's transportation use only, said Braine, who co-signs any expenditure from the account set up at the First National Bank.

Braine said donations are still being accepted. The family plans to write thank-you notes to all donors, who range from a boy who sent his 50 cent-allowance to individuals who gave $100.

Any questions regarding the fund drive may be directed to Maryann Moison of the First National Bank's Blacksburg branch office at 951-0180.

LENGTH: Short :   38 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:   File 1996   Darrell Waugh will now have a van to help 
          him and his mother get  around.  color