Nexen Group, Inc. in Webster just concluded its sixteenth United Way Campaign, and it was another big success. The fund raising campaign ended on Thursday, October 21, and by the time the smoke cleared, Nexen employees had raised over $24,000 in pledges and raffle sales. The company provided a contribution of $24,000, bringing the grand total to more than $48,000.

A committee of Nexen employees helped orchestrate the United Way Campaign. This year the theme was "Live United." Campaign events included raffles, bake sales, lunch offerings and of course, employee pledges. Representatives from the Salvation Army and Red Cross spoke about how United Way contributions have helped them. Gene Stanchfield, chair of the United Way Committee said, "I had a great committee that made this fun and successful, and I am proud of the generosity of our employees." Over the past sixteen campaigns, Nexen and its employees have raised over $550,000 in United Way funds.

Unless designated to a specific charity by an employee, the funds raised will go to nonprofit agencies in Washburn and Burnett Counties. Most of the employees live in one of the two counties. Many employees view this as a way to give something back to the community. Nexen would like to encourage other businesses to participate in United Way fundraising efforts. Individuals who are interested in learning more about having their own United Way fundraiser can contact John Coughlin at (715) 377-0203.

I have always been interested in giving to the community. I joined all the campus service organizations and liked Student United Way the best because of its broad focus and community environment within the group.

Student United Way is different because of the community environment we've created with each other. We are more diversified; we can take on any cause instead of turning people away because we have only one central focus.

Through Student United Way, we bring different cultures and causes together to see how much more we can do if we live united.

- Liz Stolte, Student United Way of UW-River Falls President

Throughout the month of October, organizations participated in United Way St. Croix Valley's United We Can contest to help end hunger in the St. Croix Valley and to kick off this fall's fundraising campaign.

Each organization used donated nonperishable food, paper products and personal care items to create a unique sculpture which was to be donated to the organization's local food pantry upon completion.

We asked everyone to submit a photo of their sculptures before donating them to the pantries so we could recognize sculptures for their creativity, number of items used and more. The final award to be given is the People's Choice Award, voted on by you!

Be sure to visit our website at

www.unitedwaystcroix.org

starting Nov. 3 to vote for your favorite. Voting runs Nov. 3 - Nov. 9.