30 calls a month.” She tries to pair
those requests with agencies already
partnered with United Way, trying
to make sure no one falls through
the cracks.
When Roy Enslow, co-owner of
Bridgewater Marina at Bridgewater
Plaza, took over as board president
this year, his agenda focused on
dealing with a decreasing revenue
stream, but an ever-rising increase
in demands.
Since Koger simply didn’t
have enough time to execute the
ambitious new plan singlehandedly,
the board decided to create the
position of Resource Development
Director. Freda Smith, a former
banker and member of the aging
services board in Roanoke for 12
years, hit the ground running. One
of her strategies is to spark more
involvement by the community,
especially with volunteerism.
Smith, who has a long history
of working with non-profits, will
also concentrate on increasing
donations, especially from larger
companies and organizations.
“Fundraising can be fun,” she says,
explaining that perks like wearing
blue jeans on Friday can motivate
employees to get involved.
Enslow cites the Franklin
County school system as a role
model for encouraging employee
participation. “We appreciate the
enthusiasm of the school system,”
he says. “Even with the employees
being in a stagnant pay situation,
they have always been strong
supporters.”
He stresses that getting the
word out about what United Way
does, and how the process of
funding works, is a key factor.
Familiar United Way partners
include Carilion Hospice Services,
Franklin County Perinatal Center,
Family YMCA, Free Clinic,
Helping Hands, Child Advocacy
Center and Stepping Stone
Mission.
“Affiliate” agencies, the agencies
that donors specify, also receive
money once a year. Donors may
also specify that a certain amount
go to a partner agency, which is
added to that agency’s allocation
for the coming year.
Many agencies that receive
funding are also active in
raising money during, but some
organizations don’t have a
fundraising component, and that’s
where the United Way really helps.
Barker and Enslow both said
it’s important for residents to
understand that no gift is too
small. “I’m all in for this,” he says.
“Failure is not an option. We are
completely committed and we are
going to do everything we can to
make it succeed.” He points out
that every dollar donated to United
Way of Franklin County stays in
the county, and the board wants to
keep it that way.
Enslow emphasizes that getting
involved is crucial. “Anyone who
wants to get involved can call Pat.
We need to grow the awareness of
what the agencies offer, and let the
community know what they need.”
To learn more, visit
.
fcunitedway.org/
Pat Koger 540 483-4949
The United Fund for Franklin County
was established in 1959, to provide a single
convenient entity to receive charitable
donations, and then distribute them to non-
profits. It officially became the United Way
of Franklin County in May of 1998. A board
of directors screens non-profits, and a citizens
committee helps decide how much goes to
each agency or organization that applies for
help.
Peggie Barker, librarian at Ferrum College,
has been a board member since shortly after
the name change. She has visited the more
than 16 partner agencies and has seen their
“tiny budgets,” level of commitment and
“incredible” volunteers. She calls this type
of visit an “eye opener” for those who are
on the citizens review committee. “They go
out to visit the agencies and they come away
absolutely stunned with what they see. They
get an inside look at what these people do
with very little money. Their eyes are opened,
and they forever become supporters of United
Way.”
The United Way’s current director, Pat
Koger, has held that position since 2002.
“We support a massive number of agencies
considering how small we are,” she affirms.
The downturn in the economy in recent years
has left all agencies struggling even more as
demand for services has risen. “We used to
get one call about every two months from area
residents asking for help for the first time,”
she says. “Now, I’m getting between 20 and
by Francis Pope
UnitedWay:
“All in” for Franklin County
Discover Smith Mountain Lake
Summer 2013
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