ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, December 24, 1996 TAG: 9612240070
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ROBERT FREIS STAFF WRITER
It looks as if donors have given the United Way of Montgomery, Radford & Floyd a nice holiday present.
As of Monday, the 1996 campaign has raised slightly more than 97 percent of its $900,000 goal, and an official said she's optimistic the goal will be achieved - if not exceeded.
The $874,741 raised to date is already a record high for the local campaign, said Kymn Davidson-Hamley, executive director.
Some individual and business donations remain out, but Davidson-Hamley said enough has been pledged to go over the top.
"People still need to send it in," she added.
Reaching the campaign goal is good news to the 36 local social service agencies that depend on United Way donations for all or part of their operating revenue.
A surge in donations from employee campaigns at businesses and industries has buoyed the 1996 campaign, Davidson-Hamley said.
"I have never seen as many companies do so well in one year."
That increase overcame a shortfall in giving by state employees, most of whom work at Virginia Tech and Radford University.
State employees traditionally provide the local campaign's largest portion. But the amount of their donations has dwindled over the past two years, as layoffs, buyouts and downsizings have reduced their numbers.
This year's campaign has seen a $15,000 drop among state employee donors. "It's a point of concern," Davidson-Hamley said.
An upbeat, cohesive campaign message and more training for campaign volunteer workers helped to overcome that shortfall, she said.
"We got the message across a little better, in a more positive way."
Donations will be accepted for the 1996 campaign until Jan. 31.
LENGTH: Short : 40 linesby CNB