Employees of TruFast generated $6,700 in contributions, a slight increase over the previous year. Campaign manager Laurie Schlosser previously ran the United Way efforts at Sauder's in Archbold, and brought some of her unique fund-raising ideas to Williams County.

Among the special events running at TruFast were raffles for prizes (including vacation days), a 50/50 raffle and a kick-off luncheon for employees. These special events helped to generate an additional $247 for the appeal.

Thanks to Laurie for her hard work and the employees of TruFast for continuing their tradition of United Way giving!

A special thank you to the Newlyn Quest Club for their donation to both the United Way and our Imagination Library program. The Newlyn Quest Club uses the proceeds of the BarnFest to help many non-profit organizations each year.

This year, United Way received $500 which will benefit our 31 agencies. Imagination Library received an additional $280, which will sponsor ten children in the program.

It is this spirit of giving to our community that makes Williams County such a wonderful place to live and work!

Did you know that donations to the Thomas M. Herman Leadership Giving Society made up almost 40% of Campaign 2005? This year's leadership giving total to date is $69,877 or 47% of our $150,000 leadership goal.

Individuals and spouses who contribute $500 or more to the United Way of Williams County each year are enrolled as leadership givers.

Please promote leadership giving within your company. For as little as $9.62 per week, someone can make a difference in a huge way.

We included a publication entitled Special Event Sparks! in campaign packets this year. It was our hope that companies would take a "three-legged stool" approach to the campaign this year - a corporate gift, employee payroll deduction, and special events.

Many companies have used some of these ideas to help "beef up" their campaigns this year. Other companies have used their "tried and true" special events.

Whatever your special event or other Best Practice, we want to hear about it. Please email us with your story, and include a photo or two if applicable. By doing so, you can help other companies succeed in their campaigns.

On December 9, 2005, I woke up in the morning and noticed that my right breast was reddened and sore. My first thought was that maybe I had slept wrong, or even possibly had slept on my pajama button. However, when the symptoms did not go away over the weekend, I began to get very concerned.

I was diagnosed with ?some form of breast cancer.? The surgeon came out of the operating room to tell my entire family and myself. My family and I wanted my treatment to be amongst a team of physicians that specialized in breast cancer, and saw it every day. I was referred immediately by my Primary Care Physician to the Breast Care Clinic. I then met with my team of specialists consisting of an oncologist, surgeon, and radiation oncologist. My treatment plan was established: 16 weeks (8 treatments) of chemotherapy, followed by a bilateral (both breasts) mastectomy with an axillary node dissection on the right, finishing with 6 weeks of radiation.

Although my world had been turned upside down, I knew nothing of what was in store for me, and the word ?normal? no longer existed in my life, I was ready to do everything I had to do to beat this. I knew I had a lot to live for. I was only 48 years old. My husband and kids needed me. I had a son that was due to get married June in Toledo. I knew I wanted to be there to see my son get married, and I wanted to dance with him. Although I had just finished chemotherapy and was suffering from peripheral neuropathy (a side effect of the chemo medications that is extremely painful to my hands and my feet), I did dance with him. I DID IT! It was a moment I will never forget.

So that we may enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with our families, there will be no "As The Thermometer Rises" next week. Have a good Thanksgiving, and look for your next issue on Friday, December 1st.