DATE: Thursday, August 14, 1997             TAG: 9708130138

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 

COLUMN: THUMBS UP 

SOURCE: BY SHIRLEY BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER 
                                            LENGTH:   75 lines

TYWANA GERMAN DIRECTOR OF FUND-RAISING FOR UNITED WAY

While leaving a subway station in Philadelphia several years ago, Tywana German was suddenly confronted by a needy family huddled together on the busy sidewalk.

``I saw two little girls and a baby lying on a garbage bag,'' she said. ``I made up my mind that I was going to do something about it. I wanted to save the world.''

Although she soon realized that her youthful expectations were unrealistic, German, 26, believes that her present work will make life less difficult for some.

As the newly-appointed director of fund-raising for the United Way campaign in Suffolk and Isle of Wight County, German works full-time to help provide vital services to families in need.

The Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, Suffolk's Shelter for the Homeless, Boys and Girls clubs and the St. Mary's Infants' Home are just a few of 68 agencies that provide ``human-care'' services and are supported by donations to the United Way, German said.

Working with Mike Umscheid, chairman, and 15 cabinet members, German's duties will keep her busy year-round.

``I'm a staff member, but the United Way is run by volunteers,'' she said. ``I can't do the job without them. In June and July, we start making contacts in the community, and from the end of August through November, we are swamped. I reach the majority through businesses, but we have a residential chairperson who contacts residents not being targeted through a company.''

A native of Mobile, Ala., German was the youngest of three siblings. At 16, she worked part-time in a medical office while attending Ben C. Rain High School. After graduation, she enrolled at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, where she met her future husband, Les German. They were married in 1993.

``Les was an adopted child,'' German said. ``His mother died when he was 5, and he spent a lot of time at the Boys and Girls Club.''

After Les German received a bachelor's degree in education, he became director of the Boys and Girls Club in Perry, Fla. In 1995, the couple moved to Chesapeake because Les German became director of the Boys and Girls Club in Norfolk. German helped her husband with programs at the club until she had an opportunity to work for the Lee Group, a permanent job-placement company in Chesapeake.

``The `real' business world wasn't for me,'' she said. ``However, it was a good learning experience that prepped me for the job I have.''

Although German had taken a public speaking course in school, she went through a training period with United Way.

``I'm a lot more effective if I speak from the heart rather than from note cards,'' she said. ``I'll do group presentations and provide brochures, posters and pledge cards.''

On Aug. 28, there will be a kick-off luncheon for the United Way campaign followed by a Victory Celebration on Nov. 20.

``After the campaign, I'll go back and say `thank you' to employees of businesses,'' German said. ``Then I want to develop relationships with businesses not aware of our campaign.

``In January and February, I'll begin to plan the cabinet for next year, and in the spring, I'll make appointments and get around to all of the businesses.''

She said, ``What motivates me is working for the community. I care so passionately about non-profit agencies. My role is collecting funds to see that the agencies can keep their doors open.''

While her husband umpires baseball games with the Eastern Virginia Umpires Association, German enjoys reading, working in her yard, and relaxing beside the neighborhood pool. MEMO: The United Way Campaign Kick-Off Luncheon will be at 1 p.m. Aug.

28 at the National Guard Armory, Godwin Blvd. Harold Wood,

entertainment-motivational speaker, will be featured. The cost is $6 for

individuals; $40 for a table for eight. To buy a ticket, call 539-1498. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu