THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, March 6, 1996 TAG: 9603060603
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DIANE TENNANT, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
Three-quarters of the way through the first fund-raising effort, Samaritan House has raised only 10 percent of what it needs to keep eight homeless shelters operating.
On Tuesday, $48,500 was in hand, said Diane Angelos, a volunteer with Samaritan House. The nonprofit group had hoped to raise $500,000 in one month to buy eight shelters that are in danger of closing because of federal budget-tightening.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development used to lease the facilities for $1 a year, but notified Samaritan House last summer that it could not continue to do that.
The shelters will close in March 1997 if money cannot be raised to buy them or other facilities.
``I think it's going to start rolling in, I really do, but $500,000 is a lot of money,'' Angelos said. The amount already donated would not be enough to buy even one shelter, she said.
Also on Tuesday, the Virginia Beach Police Department announced that cash donations for the shelters can be dropped off at any police station. Police often refer victims of domestic violence to Samaritan House for temporary shelter.
Samaritan House kicked off the monthlong Save Our Shelters drive on Feb. 14.
Other fund-raisers, including carwashes, garage sales, a fashion show and a golf tournament, will follow throughout the year.
Samaritan House has helped 1,500 families since it began operations in 1984. But for each family given shelter, another nine are turned away because no space is available, fund-drive organizers say.
The $500,000 would provide only enough money to continue the existing program. It would not allow Samaritan House to expand its operations. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
TO HELP
Samaritan House needs volunteers to help with fund raising, as
well as donations.
To contribute or volunteer, call 430-2642, or mail to Samaritan
House SOS, 2697 International Parkway, Parkway 2, Suite 107,
Virginia Beach, VA 23452.
To make donations at a police station, make checks payable to
Samaritan House - SOS and leave them with the precinct desk
officer.
by CNB