THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 21, 1995 TAG: 9509200175
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUSIE STOUGHTON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FRANKLIN LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
E.R.M. ``Mac'' Coker knows what is needed to run this year's ambitious United Way campaign, which started this week.
It's not a huge expense account he needs to raise $230,000 for local charities. And it's not a large organization or a high-profile effort.
Instead, Coker - retired sales manager for Union Camp Corp. - is relying on contacts in Franklin and Southampton County. That's the way most things are accomplished in the close-knit community.
People know the area they call home. They recognize needs, and they generally respond with little prodding.
That makes Coker's job of campaign chairman a littler easier - though he and his campaign co-workers are aiming for a 7 percent increase over last year, when they raised $210,000.
This year, the campaign slogan is ``Paint a brighter tomorrow'' for the 24 health and human service organizations that rely on the United Way for at least a portion of their operating expenses.
Coker and Robert T. Edwards, United Way president, are counting on plenty of help.
They're depending on people like Leah Gottlieb and Jim Yarborough, who are organizing the Union Camp Corp. drive, an essential part of the overall campaign. And they rely on folks like Candi Lewis, who is seeking donations from downtown Franklin employees, and Mike Riddle, who is organizing the Armory Drive campaign. And they depend on Tom Ellington, the campaign's assistant director, and Ed Moyler, who is in charge of leadership giving through the residential campaign.
``Everyone is so organized,'' said Edwards, a retired dentist.
This year, the United Way leaders have asked various civic clubs in Southampton County to help with solicitation in their areas.
More donations are needed to support the fund drive, because in the past two years the United Way has added five new agencies: Franklin C.A.N., a grassroots effort to improve the community; Lifeline; Little League; S.H.A.R.E. (Self-Help and Resource Exchange), a food and community service network; and the Virginia Legal Aid Society.
A speakers bureau, organized by the Rev. Ben R. Duffey, will provide speakers for any club or organization that would like to hear the United Way story, said publicity chairman, Joseph W. Hutt Jr.
And United Way officials urge companies to offer payroll deductions for employee contributions, which make giving easier, said Hutt, a retired insurance company executive. Or the United Way will send individual bills, he said.
Federal and state employees who work in other areas can designate contributions to the local United Way drive, Coker said.
The Franklin-Southampton Area United Way has roots in the former Community Fund, which started in the 1960s, said Edwards, who was president in 1961.
That drive was later changed to the United Way, which recently expanded its efforts.
In 1990, the campaign raised $60,000 and the next year's drive more than doubled to $138,000. This year's goal of $230,000 is nearly four times the amount raised five years ago.
``We have come a long way in the last five years,'' Edwards said.
The fund drive will conclude the end of November. MEMO: Tax deductible contributions may be mailed to P.O. Box 366, Franklin,
Va. 23851. For more information, call 569-4028. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
E.R.M. ``Mac'' Coker is the campaign chairman of the
Franklin-Southampton Area United Way.
Joseph W. Hutt Jr. is publicity chairman.
United Way president, Robert T. Edwards.
by CNB