ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, December 21, 1996 TAG: 9612230052
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Good Neighbors Fund
The Thursday Pancake Pals exemplify why the Good Neighbors Fund was started 14 years ago.
The four members meet each Thursday morning for breakfast "to hold each other up .. to support each other," Sydney Nordt said.
Likewise, The Roanoke Times started the Good Neighbors Fund to support its community. The fund assists Roanoke Area Ministries in its efforts to help residents meet emergency fuel, medical, food and financial needs.
Over the years, newspaper readers have come through for their neighbors in distress by donating as much as $100,000 annually. The gifts come in various amounts from individuals, businesses, churches, schoolchildren, and civic and social groups like the Thursday Pancake Pals.
Three members of the group met and became friends about 12 years ago during a four-year Ministry Through Education course offered through the Episcopal church. After graduation, the three - Nordt, Dotsy Clifton and Mary Lee Simpson - decided to keep in close contact and invited the fourth member, Patsy Jones, to join them for breakfast at a restaurant on Apperson Drive.
The women are active in volunteer and church work in addition to occasional jobs. For the last eight years, they have contributed as a group to the Good Neighbors Fund.
"We do it every year for each other," Nordt said.
Contributions to this year's fund are about the same as in the past, but RAM's need is greater because of an increase in the number of people who need help with medical bills. These are people who are not covered by insurance or by Medicaid or who are ineligible for services at the Bradley Free Clinic.
Last year, 2,079 people received $158,000 in aid, including $11,000 for prescriptions, from RAM's emergency assistance fund. The Good Neighbors Fund, which runs through New Year's Day, provides the bulk of that aid.
"The need again this year is great and growing," said Walter Rugaber, Roanoke Times publisher.
"We hope our readers will continue to be the good neighbors they've been and be supportive of their neighbors in distress. We are proud to sponsor the drive and are deeply grateful to all who have given."
Friday's contributors included:
Thursday Pancake Pals
In memory of Dewey S. McGrady and Ireland McGrady Grady
In memory of Tux Lovegrove
In honor of Will Claytor and Nadine Minnix
In memory of Floyd Bolling, Christian Bolling and Littlepage Bolling
Barry and Debbie Young
Mae Lee and R.E. Foutz
V.C. Sherertz, in honor of Bill, Russ and Charlie Sherertz; Carole Crutchfield; Donna Wills and Mae Edwards
Pamela Rhodes
Ken, Jeri, Justin, Jordan and Hollyn Keen, in memory of W.D. Layman
Gleaners Sunday School Class
Pete and Peggy Brandt, in honor of family and friends
Matt McDowell, in honor of his teachers, the Genesis Team, at James Madison Middle School
Maggie McDowell, in honor of her teachers, Kimber Pennington, Renee Campbell and Chris Barlow, at Crystal Spring Elementary School
Jane S. Glenn
Brandon Oaks Retirement Community
Beatrice Leedy, in memory of loved ones
Pat B. Good, in memory of her father, Willie B. Good
The Kinder family, in honor of Bill and Clara Winkler
E.M. Dean Friendship Class
Mr. and Mrs. H.W. Kennett, in honor of Mr. and Mrs. David Urquhart and Mrs. Con Davis
Mike and Ellen Massey, in honor of their family
Chris Nash, in honor of Barbara Battle, Janet Colwell, Peggy Frazer and Nancy Sowder
United Bible Class of Melrose United Methodist Church
E.J. Neal
Ava W. Morgan, in memory of Julian C. Starr Sr.
Joan Nasta, in memory of T. and M. Nalick
Senior Adults Loving Together of Melrose Baptist Church
Joe and Jeanne Moses, in memory of their parents
Jim and Betty McCorkindale
Ann and Adam Clapp and Crystal and Shayla Mello, in memory of Brad Clapp
John M. Welfare
Don Padgett, in honor of the Network Operations Staff of Atlantic Mutual Companies
Joan J. Dorsey, in honor of her sons, Charlie, Doug and Jeff
Mary Kegley
Mr. and Mrs. William W. Kopcial III, in memory of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene V. Miller and Helen W. Kopcial
Dan and Logene Roberts, in honor of Scott, Angie and Nicky
Employees of Miller, Long and Associates
Helen Burnett, in honor of the circulation leadership team
Marie L. Wells, in memory of T.K. Austin and Robert Gray
Lois L. Willis, in honor of her pastors, Gerald and Rebecca Baile Crouse and family
Mr. and Mrs. Norman Ronk
Patti and Mike Abbott, in honor of the Sunday school teachers at First Presbyterian Church
Hunt Bible Class
Christ Episcopal Church Youth Group
Mary T. Darst
John H. Williams and Suzanne Trout
Nicki Turley, in honor of co-workers at Carilion Hospice Services
Marine PHS Department/Atlantic Mutual Companies, in honor of Mava Wingate
Mary Frances Petty, in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Lee Tucker, Dr. C.W.R. Benson, John F. Bullock, Chan Inge and Archer Inge
Philathea Sunday School Class of Virginia Heights Baptist Church, in honor of Helen G. Miller
ANONYMOUS DONATIONS$585
SUBTOTAL$3,814.95
TOTAL AS OF 12/20/96$67,042.76
Checks should be made payable to Good Neighbors Fund and mailed to The Roanoke Times, P.0. Box 1951, Roanoke 24008.
Names - but not amounts of donations - of contributing businesses, individuals or organizations, as well as memorial and honorific designations, will be listed in the newspaper. Those requesting that their names not be used will remain anonymous. If no preference is stated, the donor's name will be listed.
Gifts cannot be earmarked for any particular individual or family. Gifts are tax-deductible.
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