Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 30, 1990 TAG: 9003300609
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER SOUTHWEST BUREAU
DATELINE: WYTHEVILLE LENGTH: Medium
It would be similar to the New River Habitat group organized about five years ago, which has completed three homes in the Radford-Christiansburg area and will probably complete another two in Pulaski and Radford next month.
The Wythe County Ministerial Association heard a presentation on the New River program two months ago, and the Rev. Ray Mullins moved that a similar organization be pursued here. The motion passed unanimously.
More than $1,000 has already been raised for the Wytheville venture, starting with the collection taken up at the installation of the Rev. Laurie McAlpine as the new rector at St. John's Episcopal Church, where Thursday night's meeting was held.
Frank Putney, a retired Southern States representative, has been working with the New River group since last August. That group has raised about $15,000 for housing over its five years, he said.
Putney said $20,000 to $22,000 is needed to buy the materials for a home, although not all at once because construction with volunteer labor takes time. College students have been a good source of volunteers for New River, he said.
Named to a steering committee for the Wytheville organization are Putney, McAlpine, the Rev. Vaughan Earl Hartsell, Mike Hall, Lilian Edwards, Chuck Johnson, Perry Davis, Ray Patrick, Steve Pearman, Lee Blair, Sam Ashworth, G.W. Catron and Janet Battistoni.
Charles Lacy said he had sent the group's articles of incorporation to the state and should have approval on them in the next few weeks.
The committee will meet next Thursday at 7 p.m. to discuss other committees to find building sites, work with families for whom homes are being built and other jobs.
Another full meeting of interested people will probably be held after Easter, Hartsell said.
by CNB