THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 11, 1996 TAG: 9602090189
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Susie Stoughton
LENGTH: Medium: 90 lines
Because her neighbors care, a hard-working woman with two children will have a home for her family this spring.
Some of those neighbors across Franklin and Southampton County don't even know Fannie Haley, but their United Way contributions helped buy materials that are being used by Habitat for Humanity volunteers.
Community support for the third project by the Southampton/Franklin chapter of the international organization has been terrific, said coordinator Mary Ellen Nutt.
Donations of money and labor show the generous spirit of caring so typical in the community on the western fringe of Hampton Roads, Nutt said. Habitat volunteers hope to complete Haley's house on South Broad Street by May.
Haley juggles two jobs to support her daughter, a Franklin High School honor student, and her seventh-grade son, who is learning carpentry skills as he labors alongside the other workers.
As a Habitat homesteader, Haley must contribute at least 400 hours of ``sweat equity'' as well as qualify for the no-interest mortgage.
Habitat helps deserving families achieve affordable housing.
``We get real excited when we help this dream happen,'' Nutt said.
Because people care, other dreams are also coming true.
Area residents have helped the Franklin-Southampton Area United Way's fund drive reach its goal of $230,000 to assist more than 20 agencies in the city and county.
Thanks, in part, to the United Way's support, children with disabilities have a new daytime ``home,'' the Texie Camp Marks Children's Center.
The nonprofit organization, which was started in 1983, moved into the new facility the first of January.
Until then, the staff operated out of cramped headquarters on Third Avenue and borrowed facilities in Hunterdale. They offer day care for disabled and non-disabled children and early intervention programs for children with a range of problems that, if untreated, could handicap them for life.
Now there's space to help more children in the 14,000-square-foot facility on Campbell Avenue. Anne Williams, fund-raising director, no longer has to shuffle from desk to desk, depending on who's not there at the moment, or work from the top of a filing cabinet.
But best of all, the staff can do a better job of helping children overcome or cope with their disabilities.
The Texie Camp Marks Children's Center serves families in Franklin, Southampton and Isle of Wight counties and northeastern North Carolina.
Other programs are continuing because the community cares.
The American Red Cross provides blood drives and emergency help for fire victims. The Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the James L. Camp Jr. YMCA, the Black Achievers Program and the Little League help youngsters reach their potential.
Consumer Credit Counseling helps individuals learn to budget and avoid financial problems. SHARE provides a food distribution program that allows hungry families to obtain food.
The Franklin and Southampton Charity funds offer assistance for struggling residents. Lifeline provides emergency contact for those with medical problems.
With the United Way's help, the Franklin Cooperative Ministry provides a clothing closet and food pantry at the Ebenezer House.
Because others care, a struggling, single mother has food for her two small children this week. And families with little money for clothes have warm sweaters and coats to ward off the chill of recent storms.
Because the community cares, senior citizens don't have to sit at home alone. They have gathering places where they can enjoy activities to keep them active.
Fran Cadotte, activities director for a weekly program for the High Street Seniors, also coordinates programs two days a week at the Oak Street Senior Citizens Center.
She began helping with that project last May - thanks to United Way dollars.
``Elderly people are about all the same,'' she said. ``They have the same needs. They like hugs and they want somebody to pay attention to them.''
Cadotte relies on groups and individuals to provide educational programs or entertainment, such as a Valentine Party by the Franklin Junior Women's Club.
``Franklin has to be the best for volunteering,'' Cadotte said. ``All I have to do is put the word out if I need something.''
That giving spirit is not the same everywhere, she discovered recently while visiting her parents.
As she toured the senior center they attend in a small Georgia town, she was impressed by the beautiful building. But their programs were no match for Franklin's. No volunteers help with activities there.
The Franklin area is special, she said, because so many people offer their time, money and concern. by CNB