Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 9, 1994 TAG: 9402250001
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BEVERLY T. FITZPATRICK JR.
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
It could be a smile, giving time to someone or a project, or spending money on someone or a project.
Looking at the history of this area, we can find a wealth of information and examples of what past and present leaders have done to make the area better.
In 1882, citizens of Big Lick banded together, raised several thousand dollars and sent Mr. John Moomaw to Lexington to ask that the Shenandoah Valley Railroad come to town. He rode all night long to ensure the success of the valley's bid to be headquarters of what became the Norfolk and Western Railway.
In the early years of the valley, we had a famous family whose influence is still felt today - the Fishburns - who were involved in banking and the newspaper. A lot of us regularly take the time to ride to the top of Mill Mountain to enjoy the spectacular view. Many of us don't know that the Fishburns gave us the entire mountain, Fishburn Park, and their home on 13th Street that for years served as home of the city's Parks and Recreation Department.
When driving down Wiley Drive, along the Roanoke River, most have forgetten that it was Wiley N. Jackson, a local contractor, who made much of it possible. His daughter and son-in-law, Betty and Dave Burrows, and their family have continued that legacy by the contribution of the new tennis courts over the Crystal Spring Reservoir and restoration of the old Steam Pump nearby.
Center in the Square - originally a farm-equipment warehouse - is now alive as a national example of teamwork among diverse organizations, with more attendance than either the Virginia Museum or the Chrysler Museum. It has brought an entirely new dimension to each of us in the valley due to tremendous leadership by folks like Jack Hancock, George Cartledge Sr., Frank Clement, Warner Dalhouse, Betty Carr Muse, Ed Mattern - and all who gave money, from $5 to $5,000, to make it possible. My children have a science museum, history museum, art museum and a theater that my wife and I never had growing up. What a wonderful contribution to Western Virginia.
Ground was recently broken for the Hotel Roanoke-Virginia Tech Conference Center. Tom Robertson led Renew Roanoke with the most successful fund raiser in the valley's history. The grand old lady, Hotel Roanoke, and its conference center will once again be the pride of Western Virginia because of his leadership and community stewardship.
These are the big things, but just as important are the small things people do each day.
Forrest Williams, who is known in his neighborhood for all the little things he does to help people - mowing lawns, running errands, all while nursing his wife through a very serious illness.
Marion Via, who years ago took the time to visit folks like my grandmother in a nursing home - bringing her and others books, conversation and friendship.
Friends who comforted me and others during a job loss recently, made the challenge endurable and gave hope in a difficult time for the valley.
People who write endless number of cards and letters during times of sadness and challenge for friends and relatives.
Each of you has done similar things to help friends in a time of need.
These are but a few wonderful examples of the generosity that shows who we really are in Western Virginia. We care, we have compassion, and we do make a difference.
And yet, sometimes each of us feels that one person cannot make a difference. We work hard to convince ourselves that we really cannot get something accomplished. We must have help from the government, or we need someone else's help to get something done.
But most of the time it won't get done unless we do it.
Dr. Ralph Arthur was sent to close Ferrum College. Instead, he decided it needed to stay open and grow. There was an unmet need to fulfill. I owe him my college education.
Dick Robers with the smart road took a highway connection and realized it was the chance of a lifetime - a way to create millions of dollars of investment in research that could mean thousands of high-tech jobs for residents of the New Century Region.
Ham Flannagan came to Roanoke and became administrator of Roanoke Memorial Hospital when it was losing money. He turned it into the largest community hospital in Virginia, and created a system of health-care delivery offering far greater medical services to this area than the size of our population would suggest.
These people, these organizations have decided to make a difference. They did not accept the state of things as they were. They wanted to do something to make this area better today than it was yesterday.
A lot of what we are discussing involves personal commitment, but it also involves money. Harry Emerson Fosdick said, "Money ... is a person's personal energy reduced to portable form. ... It can go where he could not go; speak languages he could not speak, lift burdens he could not touch with his fingers, save lives with which he cannot deal directly."
We need only look at the floods in the Midwest, fires in California, hunger and natural disasters throughout the world, to know that the need is there, and that we can do something about it. Charlotte Lunsford said, "We won't always know whose lives we touched and made better for our having cared, because actions can sometimes have unforeseen ramifications. What's important is that you do care and you do act."
One thing we should always remember is that when you give of yourself and your money, you always receive more than you can ever put in. You gain a sense of belonging, of satisfaction and, more than anything else, of making a difference in a very complex and sometimes confusing world.
Our goal for the future is to recognize that we need many more people and corporations who will give of themselves. The future of the New Century Region depends on that commitment. Each of us must work harder and smarter to ensure a positive future. Without people and corporations who care, we can never achieve our highest potential. What we choose to do by action and example can make a real difference here in Western Virginia. I\
Beverly T. Fitzpatrick Jr., former Roanoke vice mayor, is director of the New Century Council. This is adapted from a speech to the local chapter of the National Society of Fundraising Executives.
by CNB