Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, January 3, 1992 TAG: 9201030266
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KIM SUNDERLAND
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
UNITED WAY OVERCOMING OBSTACLES
The Pulaski County United Way has reached almost 80 percent of its campaign goal of $195,000 by raising $155,180."However, we're still collecting contributions and expect to go beyond what's been raised and reach about 85 percent of our goal," said Kymn Davidson-Hamley, executive director of the chapter, which helps support 27 agencies.
The final tally for the previous campaign was 100 percent of its $175,000 goal. Davidson-Hamley said this campaign, although marked by a few problems, has been equally successful.
"The chapter was already three to four weeks into the campaign by the time I got here," said Davidson-Hamley, who came on this fall as the chapter's first director. "I couldn't really have an effect on the campaign like I had hoped."
And the chapter did not have an office until mid-November, which put a strain on fund raising. Signet Bank since has donated office space at 15 West Main St. in Pulaski.
Despite the setbacks, increased giving from employees at companies such as Renfro Corp. - which almost doubled its giving over the previous year by contributing $21,137 - has helped the United Way raise as much as it has.
Employees at C&P Telephone did two-thirds better with a $6,267 contribution. Appalachian Power employees gave slightly more than the previous year with a $10,950 donation.
Employees at Volvo GM Heavy Truck Corp. in Dublin have so far contributed about $38,400. Those at United Parcel Service and Kollmorgen Corp., donated $8,940 and $7,966 respectively.
And two companies, the Dublin-based Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Roanoke and Xaloy Inc. in Pulaski, decided to do employee campaigns for the first time, helping to make up for the loss of AT&T.
AT&T however, which promised to continue contributions at a reduced rate for three years after closing its Fairlawn plant in 1990, gave $10,000. The previous year the company gave $21,000. This year will be its last to contribute to Pulaski's campaign.
"The decrease in this year's campaign coincides with AT&T's reduced donation," Davidson-Hamley said.
For more information, call 980-2537. Donations may be sent to the Pulaski United Way at P.O. Box 2281, Pulaski 24301.