Le Mars United Way welcomes new employee campaigns

The Le Mars United Way has announced three new employee campaigns which are contributing to the community's fundraising success this year.

Dean Foods and Schuster Co. held their first United Way employee campaigns in November; while Wells' Dairy has become more involved with creative employee fundraising, according to Kathy Bartelli, board chair of the Le Mars United Way.

"The Le Mars United Way welcomes the participation of three 'new' employee campaigns for our 2008/2009 funding year, Schuster Co., Dean Foods, and Wells Dairy. Schuster Co. has always been a corporate supporter but is kicking off its first employee campaign, while Dean Foods, having recently acquired Wells' Dairy Inc.'s dairy business is participating for the first time," said Bartelli in a press release.

"With the continuing economic uncertainty we are all facing; their employees' contributions will be welcomed and appreciated by the Le Mars United Way board and our local agencies who will receive funding in the spring of 2009," Bartelli continued.

To date, nearly $65,000 has been raised toward the Le Mars United Way's $85,000 campaign goal.

"Dean Foods is excited about the opportunity to partner with our local United Way. This will give our employees an easy way to donate to charitable organizations right here in our community, where they can see the impact of their contributions," said Sue Stream, office manager at Dean Foods.

Schuster Company offered employees the opportunity to participate in the United Way campaign during four rallies aimed at educating employees about local programs that receive United Way support.

"Schuster Company and its employees have always prided themselves on being a family based business with a big heart. Through our employee contributions to the United Way we hope to give something back to people in need in our community," said Erica Wenzel, human resources at Schuster Company.

Wells' Dairy has a variety of options available for donating during the entire year. A "United Way Week" is held each month. During the week a United Way agency is highlighted and employees who are not required to wear uniforms have the option to pay to wear denim.

Those who contribute receive chances to win prizes in quarterly drawings at Wells' Dairy. The October drawing was for two days of paid vacation.

In January a drawing will be held for unlimited car washes at the Easy Clean Car Wash in Le Mars; April's drawing will be for $300 in Chamber Bucks; and the July drawing will be for an Apple Ipod Touch.

Wells' Dairy employees also had the opportunity to participate in the 2008 Le Mars United Way Golf Tournament. Employees were not required to use vacation time but had to pay their own entry fee for the tournament. This year, 102 employees participated in the Le Mars United Way Tournament.

"Throughout the history of the company, Wells' Dairy, Inc. has been committed to supporting community organizations and programs. Recognizing the fact that United Way agencies cover a broad spectrum of needs in the community, this year we provided our employees with the opportunity to participate in various activities that raised money for the organization. The response was extremely positive for Wells' Dairy. Employees not only enjoyed the activities, but are also responsible for donating more than $10,000," said Mike Wells, CEO of Wells' Dairy, Inc.