The United Way 2013 pacesetters, Paragon Medical and DePuy Synthes Joint Reconstruction, have concluded internal campaigns which double-digit increases in employee participation. Patricia Coy, executive director of United Way of Kosciusko County, said, “These companies continue to demonstrate a strong commitment to United Way, and we recognize and appreciate the extra effort extended this year to be pacesetters.” United Way pacesetters are positive examples of corporate philanthropy and set the tone for the overall campaign by leading the charge in the community, according to the announcement from United Way. Paragon Medical signed on as a pacesetter this year with the goal of increasing employee participation, which rose by 21 percent and included 79 first-time givers. The total amount raised in their campaign exceeded $54,200, representing a significant increase over last year’s totals. DePuy Synthes Joint Reconstruction raised approximately $225,000, which also represents an increase over last year. Employee participation grew by 12 percent. Reflecting on the results, Tabitha Cooper, manager of strategic development and co-key leader for Paragon’s United Way employee campaign, said, “Paragon is extremely proud to partner with the United Way and give back to the community. Our primary objective for our campaign this year was to re-educate our employees about the United Way and the value that they bring to this community. We felt that being a pacesetter company would help raise that awareness.” She also stated, “We recognize the effect our dollars can have because of the many lives which are impacted daily through the partner programs the United Way supports. As indicated by the results of our campaign, this is clearly a priority not only for Paragon but for our employees as well.” Roger Boggs, worldwide director of professional Education and Services and co-chair of the United Way campaign at DePuy, said, “Our passion for caring for others is something we embrace both in the work we do and in the communities of which we are a part. Our employees gave generously, and we thank them for their involvement, and we wish United Way great success during the remainder of this year’s campaign.”
