09/19/07 Community Hospital of Bremen is once again a Pacesetter in the United Way campaign. Last year, they raised $9,846 with 15 percent of their employees donating to United Way of Marshall County.

"We are at $12,032! We went over 18 percent of last year's total!" exclaimed Debbie O'Keefe who co-chaired with Sheila Kelty, VP Support Services.

Instead of the usual thermometer to track progress toward their goal, which would have been appropriate, they filled in a syringe as the totals came in. The plunger of their syringe at the top of the chart reads, "We made it!!!! Thanks to you!

"As far as incentives go, I think our employees would have given with or without incentives. I do believe that maybe some gave a level higher than last year because of the thank you gift. We were sure to tell them that the gift was from the hospital and that 100 percent of their donation went to United Way," O'Keefe explained.

This year incentives ranged from an engraved pen with the hospital logo for $2 per pay period. The pen itself was motivating, engraved with 'excellence', 'success', 'effort', 'teamwork' and 'creativity'. Those donating $3 to $4 received a tote bag with the hospital logo. Scrubs or a polo shirt in a variety of colors, embossed with the logo, for a $5 donation was extremely popular.

Both women praised the staff for their generosity despite participating in other fundraisers at the hospital.

"We were pleased to be a Pacesetter organization and play a part in getting the drive off to a good start," said Graybill.

Other Pacesetters include Centier Bank, Gibson Insurance, KeyBank, Morrow Insurance, Nishikawa Standard Company (NISCO), Pathfinder Services, Inc., Re/Max Oak Crest Realty, Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center Plymouth, UPS and U.S. Granules. They, too, are setting the pace to make a difference in Marshall County.