As Spangler Candy begins their second century, they presented United Way with a $10,000 corporate donation. That donation became the first official "corporate" gift of the 2006 campaign. United Way has always enjoyed a special relationship with Spangler and its employees. We thank them for their generous donations over the years and congratulate them on their special anniversary!

During United Way Week - October 22-28, 2006 - we are working on a promotional blitz. We are asking all business owners in the county who have changeable marquee signs to please highlight the United Way during our special week. What should you put on the sign? Anything that highlights United Way... it can be as simple as the one at right.

We hope that this will happen throughout the county, not just in Bryan. It's just another way to showcase the United Way during United Way Week.

A fun campaign makes your job more enjoyable and creates increased awareness of United Way of Williams County among your co-workers. With that in mind, we?ve compiled some creative sparks?examples of ideas and events ? to help ignite an exciting and effective employee campaign. We?ve included simple campaign promotions, as well as unique, successful special events that companies have sponsored in the past.

Remember that not everything you do has to make money. Sometimes just getting together for fun and team-building can be a good way to remind people about the campaign. Use our Special Event Sparks! booklet as a starting point to help develop ideas tailored to your company?s theme. Many companies also like to include fun activities in their kickoff or as a thank you to their employees for contributing to a great campaign.

Jill had been abused by her husband for many years, each time worse than the last. The final time, her arm was broken as her husband pushed her out of the car and took off with their three children, ages 1, 3 and 4, screaming in the back seat.

Jill called the House of Ruth. When she arrived at the shelter, she had nothing but the clothes on her back. Her primary concern was not her own welfare, but that of her children. She was taken to the emergency room and the staff at the House of Ruth secured clothing and medication for her. Her husband was eventually located and the children came to live with her.

While at the shelter, Jill was able to prepare a resume and seek employment. She found an apartment and was assisted with furnishings and other household items. Jill and her children are slowly putting their lives back together ? thanks to the United Way and the House of Ruth.

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