THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 12, 1995 TAG: 9511100203
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUSIE STOUGHTON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
The end of the local United Way fund drive is in sight, and campaign officials believe their goal of $363,860 is within reach.
Cabinet members and campaign workers gathered last week in the Planters Co. lobby for a reception and a final report on the 1995 drive's status, although the campaign will not officially end until December.
The prevalent mood was cautious optimism as this year's chairman, T. Douglas Casey, told the other volunteers the fund stood at 80.1 percent of the goal.
The amount had been steadily climbing in the past three weeks when it was just over 50 percent.
``We have a good chance of making our goal this year,'' said Casey, Planters Co. controller.
But Pat Branche, Suffolk's fund-raising director, doesn't rely on chances. At the South Hampton Roads report meeting this week, she'll make a projection of where the Suffolk drive will be at the end of the year. It will be a conservative estimate, she said.
Several large drives in local industries will not end for another week or two, Branche said. And four new companies recently agreed to run campaigns, she said.
``You'll notice Pat has a bigger smile on her face than a week ago,'' Casey said.
This year's theme is ``Angels Among Us,'' and angels are being sold in three local restaurants - Applebee's, Mainstreets and Golden Corral. For $1 donation to the United Way, a paper angel with the donor's name will be posted at the business. Local schools are selling smaller versions for 25 cents.
Linda G. Doland, United Way vice chair, said several categories had done particularly well.
The professional group was at 120 percent of its goal, thanks in large part to the efforts of Dr. George Cornell, she said.
Keel Club contributions were 20 percent more than 1994, said Leroy Edwards, Keel chair.
Student campaigns also had done well, with various fund-raising efforts that had enabled the students to learn about the agencies that benefit from United Way funds.
``I am really excited about our student campaign,'' Doland said. ``We're growing future givers.''
Casey urged the volunteers to continue working to finish the various drives.
``Keep at it a little longer,'' he said. ``We've got a ways to go.'' by CNB