THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 18, 1995 TAG: 9508160170
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 09 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER C. O'DONNELL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 47 lines
Chesapeake General Hospital launched its annual United Way pledge campaign Monday with a little help from above.
Or so it seemed, as hospital administrators donned angels' halos and wings for a campaign kickoff rally based on the theme ``Individuals can be guardian angels to people in need.''
Donald S. Buckley, president of the hospital, led the angelic administrators in several skits designed to show how contributions made to the United Way organization go to help such groups as the Southside Boys and Girls Club, the Cancer Society, Chesapeake Care and the CANDII House for children with AIDS.
``All of us are guardian angels in training,'' Buckley told staff members gathered in the hospital cafeteria. ``Let's knock our goal to the moon. Better yet, to the heavens.''
Nancy Clark, coordinator for the hospital's campaign, said she hopes to raise $77,000 from among hospital employees.
``Last year, we raised $71,000 and the hospital had a participation rate of 55 percent,'' Clark said. ``We're also working on raising the participation rate this year.''
Campaign organizers at the hospital have arranged for several events throughout the next few weeks to raise awareness of United Way and increase participation among employees.
``We had 29 employees tour three United Way groups last week,'' said Clark. ``That gave them the opportunity to see on a real level what the organizations are all about.''
Campaign organizers have arranged for speakers from St. Mary's Infant Home to give 10-minute talks about the home and how it needs donations from the public in order to thrive.
``We're having the speakers give their talks in the nurses lounges since they're the ones that have a hard time getting away from their work.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by JENNIFER O'DONNELL
Donald Buckley, president of Chesapeake General, helps launch the
United Way campaign as Wynn Dixon and Margaret Dixon look on.
by CNB