Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
While voting was going on in area polls last Tuesday, Paragon Medical Inc. employees were casting another type of vote.
Employees cast their vote to help others, by supporting the local United Way. The winners of this vote are the residents of Kosciusko County.
Paragon Medical ran the employee campaign Tuesday during all shifts.
The United Way message was presented during four internal meetings to more than 300 employees. The campaign was colored with a patriotic theme and employees were treated to heart-warming songs that reminded each one how powerful it is to be an American and to have the gift of freedom.
Freedom is what employees heard when a United Way recipient talked about the Project Indepence, a program that bettered her life and helped her live the American dream.
Paragon employees also heard about all 44 programs that matter to Kosciusko County residents and how their dollars impact those programs.
Paragon Medical Inc. and its employees have a history of giving to the United Way.
Toby Buck, Paragon's chief executive officer, addressed employees and asked for their support again this year.
Buck challenged employees to meet a $16,000 internal goal, and said there would be a corporate match for those dollars.
To increase participation and to assure employees will reach their goal, incentives such as parking privileges, discount cards, gift certificates and extra vacation days were offered.
A grand prize drawing for a weekend in Indianapolis with Colts tickets, or a weekend in Chicago at a spa, was held for all donors.
Paragon Medical Inc. manufactures surgical instruments and implantable components for their OEM partners - designing and manufacturing world-class delivery systems.
Through United Way, even a small gift creates long-term solutions, not short-term fixes, for the people of the county.
Paragon employees realize they have the power to bring about changes that matter. This year's community goal for the United Way of Kosciusko County is $1,525,000.
Currently, the campaign total is at 30 percent of the overall community goal.
