Posted on Behalf of  Guest Author, Joan Blanchard, Eaton 

I have been leading the United Way campaign committee at Eaton Galesburg for the past four years.  The committee consists of energetic, creative employees  who strive to make our campaign fun for everyone, and I’ve been very fortunate to have this group of people on the committee.     

During my first three years, our campaign kick-off meetings for our employees included  listening to speakers from several United Way affiliate agencies and viewing the United Way and Eaton corporate campaign videos.    During the two-week campaign, other fundraising activities included the raffling of departmental baskets, football pools and additional incentives to those who pledged. Since our campaign normally fell during the Halloween season, we held a family fun night for employees and their families. It was a good old-fashioned fun night with games, food, entertainment and a costume contest for the kids.   To close our campaign, an ice cream social was held in our cafeteria at which time our raffle winners were drawn and the results of our campaign was announced

After last year’s campaign, we sent a survey to employees and based on their feedback we did a few things differently in 2013. This year’s campaign was held in September.  Our kick-off was a pep rally where employees sat in bleachers with spirited posters and noise makers to cheer on their favorite agency-sponsored teams as they participated in fun games. We even had a local high school band provide music and served popcorn and cotton candy. It was a great way to get people excited about our United Way Campaign this year.  Speakers included Tim Sinden, President, Eaton Truck, and Mike Larson of the United Way. The Eaton campaign video was previously shown during separate campus town halls. Three baskets  were created for our raffle.   New fundraising activities for 2013 included selling $10 buttons that allowed the employees to wear blue jeans for two weeks and holding a “Jail and Bail” fundraiser.   Even Tim Sinden found himself behind bars at one point. It was very successful and a lot of fun.

Senior leadership at Eaton Galesburg is exceptionally supportive in our campaign.  Besides providing  the funds for our activities, our leaders are also  avid participants in our campaign activities.  Galesburg employees are strong supporters of United Way and our employees give back throughout the year by donating their time as volunteers.   We have quite a few departments that have “adopted” United Way affiliate agencies, and our Community Support Committee meets on a regular basis to review funding requests.  Eaton is also a key partner in United For Change, which is a regional partnership of companies and other organizations working with United Way to support education.

In short, Eaton is very much focused on our community, and the United Way campaign is just one way that we can show that support!