THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 1, 1995 TAG: 9512010221
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B9 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CHARLENE CASON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
Wearing colorful leis and sipping tropical punch, about 500 volunteers took a ``Cruise to Victory'' aboard the helicopter landing ship Saipan on Thursday, to celebrate raising $15.4 million in this year's United Way of South Hampton Roads campaign.
Mike Hughes, president of the local United Way, said he was excited
that the campaign achieved its goal of raising more than last year's $15.3 million, especially in a time of downsizing.
``It just shows that a generous spirit prevails in Hampton Roads,'' he said.
Eighty-eight percent of all contributions come from individuals and 12 percent from corporations.
Hughes said it was Adm. William Flanagan, commander-in-chief of the Atlantic Fleet, who suggested that the Navy host the party on board one of its ships.
``The Navy sees itself as the seventh city on the Southside,'' Hughes said, ``and Adm. Flanagan said if there was something the Navy could do to help, it would.
``Because it makes use of so many United Way services, the Navy has formed a seamless culture with the community.''
Guests started arriving just after 4 p.m. for the program, which was emceed by Terry Zahn and Sandra Parker of WVEC-TV Channel 13.
The event was held in the Saipan's giant helicopter hangar, which had been decorated with wooden palm trees, a grass hut and tropical plants. The Polynesian theme was chosen as a contrast to the expected cold weather, said United Way spokeswoman Katherine Overcamp.
Guests were welcomed by the ship's commander, Capt. Ralph K. Zia, who said that the Saipan's 3,000 sailors and Marines - their motto is ``We do it all'' - raised about $50,000 for the campaign, $20,000 more than last year.
The military and civilian employees who comprise the Combined Federal Campaign raised nearly a third of this year's $15.4 million total.
``Thirty percent of the Hampton Roads community is Navy,'' said Adm. Robert Cole, commander of Norfolk Naval Base and chairman of this year's federal campaign. ``And it uses at least 30 percent of the United Way services.''
The United Way's three-month-long fund-raising effort officially ended Thursday, but the federal campaign has extended its deadline until Dec. 15, so ships at sea can finish collecting and mailing pledges.
The United Way of South Hampton Roads was launched in 1923, followed by the Combined Federal Campaign in 1962 and the Combined Virginia Campaign in 1988. Ninety-five percent of the contributions that the three campaigns raise to support local community service agencies come from payroll deductions. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
JIM WALKER/The Virginian-Pilot
United Way takes time to cheer itself aboard the Saipan Thursday.
Campaign leaders held up life preservers with the total the campaign
has raised to date. The local campaign ended on land, though Navy
ships have until Dec. 15.
Graphic
DONATIONS
United Way campaign
$10,448,950
Combined Federal Campaign
$4,700,000 (all pledges not in yet)
Combined Virginia Campaign
$255,150
by CNB