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GASTONIA, NORTH CAROLINA
^0-
OF THE
Christmas
UA Drive
Beyond Goal
It has been a year of
“firsts” for the Gaston Coun
ty United Appeal. The
gathering of UA operating
funds for “people-communi
ty” services in 1971 reported
$38,000 reahzed beyond the
goal of $512,000.
For the first time in the 18-
year history of the United Way
of Giving in Gaston, every di
vision chairman took his quota
over the top, with more than
100 per cent winning the UA
Eager Beaver award.
Also, it marked the first time
a campaign ended with the next
drive already under way.
The $550,000 pledged in the
O c t o b e r-November campaign
for 1971 operation of 36 partici
pating services was the largest
amount ever recorded here.
Into the total figure, people
at the Firestone Textiles Gas
tonia plant put $35,258.20
largest amount ever gathered
here.
Contributions averaged $29.43
of the total number giving.
There were 951 “Fair Share”
pledges. This outstanding rec
ord brought praise from UA of
ficials at the victory report din
ner in November.
FIRESTONE TEXTILES is
among 19 firms and organiza
tions which had a per capita
contributions rate of $19 or
more per employee.
The annual UA in-plant drive
was guided to success by D. Ray
Thomas and Terry Kirby of the
management staff. They were
helped by dozens of volunteer
workers in all departments of
the production facilities, plant
services, offices and warehouses.
Awards To Blood Donors
The latest group of Gastonia Firestone people honored
in November as generous blood donors represented a to Lai
448 pints contributed, with most of this amount received
by the Red Cross Regional Blood Center v/hich serves the
Gastonia area.
• John S. Mitchell (2nd left)
showing his gift certificate pre
sented him in recognition of the
7 gallons of blood he has donat-
• • Ancient Nazareth,
Jesus’ boyhood home in the
hills of lower Galilee, is
some 80 miles north of Beth
lehem in Judea (now in Jor
dan) and its scenes associat
ed with the First Christmas.
This general view of Naz
areth features the Church of
the Annunciation (left).
Other storied landmarks are
the Workshop of Joseph,
Kitchen of the Virgin,
Mary’s Fount, and ancient
tombs and caves.
In many ways, life in Naz
areth defies today’s political
and social turmoil, continues
much as in the time of
Christ.
In this agricultural town
just off major trade routes
from Bible times to the pres
ent, there are the narrow,
winding streets of cobble
stone where Jesus Himself
walked. There are the cramp
ed stall-shops and bazaars of
the noisy marketplace.
Women and children, with
earthen pots gracefully pois
ed on their heads, are
reminiscent of an age 2,000
years ago in the land where
the Christian Faith had its
beginnings. (Israel Govern
ment Photo.)
ed. Others with him also are
"big donors" (from left); J. C.
Crisp, 4 gallons; Mrs. Robert
Passmore, 2; Jess Parks Jr., 2.
Records of giving ranged
from 1 to 7 gallons. John S.
Mitchell, supervisor of the
carpenter shop, reached the
7-gallon figure, this followed
by the 6-gallon record of
F. B. Galligan, division fac
tory manager.
Visiting speaker at the
recognition luncheon in Rec
reation Center was Charles
Gray III, past chairman of
ARC blood unit here, and
currently a member of the
board of directors of the Red
Cross region which includes
Gaston County.
Gray commended the Fire
stone donors, and compli
mented the company for it3
continuing interest in a v/ide
range of community projects.
“Your good promotion of
the blood program and giv
ing recognition to donors are
a tremendous factor in mak
ing this life-saving effort
successful,” he added.
• Another Photo, Page 2
We’re Fighting The Slowdown
J. B. CALL, PRESIDENT
FIRESTONE TEXTILES CO.
You know as well as anyone that there is a wide
spread slowdown in the nation’s economy. You have
seen the headlines in the newspapers—
Unemployment Highest In 7 Years
Corporate Profits Drop Sharply
Stores Report Lower Sales
Firms Go On Shorter Work Weeks
Stock Market In Major Slump
All these things indicate that the general economy of
the country has taken a nosedive.
Then, there are other signs, such as—
• Customers are nervous and are reducing the size
of their orders,
• Consumers are putting their money mto savmgs ac
counts instead of spending.
• The pressure is squeezing some companies out ot
business.
• A number of companies are cutting out jobs where-
ever possible, to reduce expenses.
• All unnecessary spending is being elimmated and
budgets are being trimmed to the bone.
What about our own company? It is paying increased
prices for nearly everything it uses. These added costs cut
into profits. (You remember that profits provide the money
for wage increases, purchase of new machinery and equip
ment, and all the other things that help a company grow
and remain strong.)
We feel that you want to know what The Firestone
Tire & Rubber Company is doing to deal with the present
economic slowdown.
• • We’re doing everything possible to improve our pro
duction and our quality in all plants.
• • Our sales force is redoubling its efforts—calling on
customers, stressing quality, delivery, and service, and mak
ing extra calls.
• • We’re promoting our products and our company as
hard as we can. When things get tough, we try harder.
Here are some things Firestone Textiles is doing:
1. We’re establishing a process and product develop
ment group that will help us improve our profits through
new and better products, new manufacturing processes and
improved equipment and techniques.
2. We’re taking a careful look at every expense; cutting
expenses wherever we think it makes sense.
More on Page 4 •