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Annual fundraising campaign focuses on the stories behind the money Date published: 9/1/2010
BY AMY FLOWERS UMBLE
When Rappahannock United Way fundraisers meet with groups to appeal for help, they often relate stories of how partner agencies have helped people in the community. The agency showed a video about just such a family yesterday at a breakfast kicking off the 2010 campaign. "The pledge card isn't always warm and fuzzy when you get it on your desk," said Rappahannock United Way president Janel Donohue. "But when you give, you're helping [the child in the video] fight cancer." The local family featured in the video didn't fit the stereotype of many people who apply for help from the Salvation Army. The father is employed, while the mother stays at home with twin daughters. Last year, before the girls celebrated their second birthday, the family learned that one of the twins had brain cancer. With doctors' appointments, hospital stays, surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, the couple focused on their daughters. As medical bills piled up, a friend told them about the Barbara C. Terry Emergency Fund, which had just been created by the Rappahannock United Way. The money helped the family pay their bills and continue helping the ill twin get well. Donohue shared this story and other results with the crowd at yesterday's kickoff breakfast: 16,906 volunteer hours in the past year. 177 people helped through a new emergency fund. $759,000 generated through free tax credit help. The United Way's 32 member agencies worked in the community, Donohue said. And in the coming year, they hope to reach out to more people needing help. Frequently, when making presentations at businesses, the United Way officials let the employees there know that they might need help one day, just like the family in the video shown yesterday. Donohue announced this year's goal: $3.4 million, a 6.25 percent increase over last year's goal of $3.2 million. Last year's campaign raised about $3.3 million. Economists predict a sluggish recovery from the recession. But campaign chair Maria Franklin said she's not worried about meeting the goal. "I find that in the times we have trouble, we do our best work," said Franklin, who works for Union First Market Bank. "I think everyone now sees the needs more than they ever have. I think the times have brought the issues to the forefront." She plans to inspire area residents to pledge more money to the campaign by visiting workplaces and sharing stories about how the Rappahannock United Way touches lives. Amy Flowers Umble: 540/735-1973
Date published: 9/1/2010
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