PIERCETON - Kosciusko County United Way announced the 2008 campaign Key Leader of the Year Award Tuesday, more than a month earlier then usual.
Tabitha Cooper, Paragon's UW Campaign Key Leader, was announced as Key Leader of the Year at a Thanksgiving celebration meal at Paragon."The Key Leader award was announced early this year so Paragon employees, who so generously gave, could share in this event with Cooper and the management team," said Karen Louthain, KCUW campaign coordinator.
Cooper led an effort which increased Paragon employees' participation in the campaign from 17 percent to more than 64 percent.
The company raised more than $64,000 toward this year's UW campaign.
"Paragon has been blessed, and this was our opportunity to give back and help others who are not as fortunate as us," Cooper said.
Cooper planned challenges for Paragon employees at the Pierceton facility. She offered up managers to have a pie-in-the-face auction to raise cash. The highest pie was auctioned off for $2,000, purchased by a group of employees, and went in the face of Gary McGill. Cooper also raised more than $250 for a pie aimed at her. Cooper's campaign team members were Jamie Gift, Amy Smith and Angie Borron.
"The team made it all possible this year," said Cooper as she wiped pie from her face.
Paragon CEO Toby Buck took a challenge to match the employees' giving and to be landed in a dunk tank if employees hit their percentage of participation goal. The company's goal was 40 percent participation.
Cooper will receive her Key Leader plaque at the UW celebration event in January.
United Way raises money to help support a broad spectrum of health and human service programs. Currently, United Way is providing funding for 54 programs. The 2008 goal is to raise $1.7 million for Kosciusko County.
