THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 15, 1995 TAG: 9512150493
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CINDY CLAYTON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 40 lines
The Joy Fund is behind its fund-raising schedule, and needs donations to give kids in Hampton Roads and on the Eastern Shore a merry Christmas this year.
The fund that has given toys and clothes to children each year since 1934 is about $22,000 behind last year's donations at this time.
``We have a lot of peaks and another year we may have a little valley,'' said Roberta Cake, a spokeswoman for The Virginian-Pilot.
Cake said that as of today, $74,434.67 or about 21 percent of the fund's $350,000 goal had been raised. At the same time last year, the fund had raised $96,272.41.
``We can attribute it maybe to people being a little hesitant to give right now,'' Cake said. ``Maybe they are waiting to see how the economy is this year, you know, they might be holding back to see how it is going to be for them in 1995.''
Although donations from individuals have dropped off, more businesses have donated this year, Cake said. But the campaign isn't over yet. There is still time for folks to drop off contributions.
``When people see how much they have they'll remember that there are families out there who do not have enough to make Christmas special for their kids,'' she said.
Each year, the Joy Fund helps about 30,000 children under age 10.
Vouchers are given to parents and guardians of children referred to the Joy Fund by social service agencies, churches and schools.
The vouchers can be redeemed for merchandise from local merchants who are reimbursed up to 90 percent by the fund.
All administrative costs are paid by The Virginian-Pilot. by CNB