ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, December 19, 1996 TAG: 9612190067
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE contributing increased 11 percent this year - from 33,000 last year to an estimated 36,000.
United Way of Roanoke Valley wrapped up its 1996 campaign Wednesday, having raised nearly $5.6 million - $100,000 above its goal.
Surrounded by boxes of toys at the Salvation Army Roanoke Corps' annual Christmas distribution for needy families, campaign chairwoman Heidi Krisch announced that the United Way had exceeded its $5.5 million goal, topping last year's total by about 8 percent. Another $110,000 in contributions is expected to come in within the next month, she said.
"I hope by the end of January we can announce that we will have a total of $5.7 million," Krisch said.
An analysis done by United Way staff of the organization's 81 largest accounts - those that make up about 72 percent of total campaign dollars - indicated that the United Way had reversed a five-year decline in the number of contributors, Krisch said. The number of givers increased 11 percent this year - from 33,000 last year to an estimated 36,000.
Krisch made a plea to people who donated last year to give 25 cents more a day this year. The organization also latched onto a number of new businesses, "appearing on their doorsteps the minute they came to Roanoke," Krisch said.
"We had a lot of volunteers who made early calls on some of the companies to encourage them to give," she said. "One even went out in his kilt and played the bagpipes."
An improved economy also helped, said Bob Kulinski, president and chief professional officer of the United Way of Roanoke Valley. When the economy improves, "people feel like they have more to share," he said.
United Way affiliates nationwide had felt the effects of the management scandal of 1992, when then-national United Way President William Aramony resigned amid questions about his spending and management practices. Aramony was convicted last year of fraud, conspiracy and money-laundering. He stole nearly $600,000 from United Way of America.
The charitable organization - the nation's biggest - has recovered, though slowly, Kulinski said.
"It's taken a long time," he said. "But I think it has. The United Way, nationally, is raising more than it did" four or five years ago.
In two years, the United Way of Roanoke Valley has increased campaign contributions by almost $1 million - from $4.7 million in 1994 to nearly $5.6 million this year.
The United Way funds more than 70 programs of 32 human service agencies in the Roanoke Valley. Its top funding priorities have been constant for years, though their order changes periodically.
"It's things like day care for children and adults, medical care for indigent people and the working poor, teen pregnancy reduction, programs that alleviate child abuse and spousal abuse, emergency assistance for food, clothing and shelter for people who have nowhere else to turn," Kulinski said.
All United Way of Roanoke Valley contributions not designated to specific agencies will be allocated next spring through the organization's fund distribution process.
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: NHAT MEYER Staff. Jeff Minnix of Stanford and Inge putsby CNBthe finishing touches on the billboard atop the First Union Building
on Wednesday. The 40-by-60-foot sign shows United Way of Roanoke
Valley reaching its goal of $5.5 million. color.