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Bear Creek workers lift United Way to its goal By David Preszler of the Mail Tribune United Way of Jackson County got an extra boost from its biggest supporters Friday: Bear Creek Corp. and its employees. The Medford company and its workers donated more than $145,000 to United Way, pushing the nonprofit agency to its $1.2 million goal for the 1999 fund-raising campaign. "We're pretty excited," said local United Way director Dee Ann Everson. Friday's gift came in addition to $186,000 Bear Creek and its workers donated during the campaign itself, which ended last month. In both cases, the employees raised half of the money and the company matched their donation. Between the two gifts, Bear Creek and its employees donated more than $331,000, about 27.5 percent of United Way's goal. "They always are the strongest supporters of our campaign," said Everson. "Our community is just fortunate to have a business of this magnitude here." Friday's contribution comes two weeks after the formal fund-raising campaign ended short of the goal. The last time it fell short was in 1996. The employees donated $72,500 from a charity fund they've built up over several years. "This really does represent the initiative of the people of Bear Creek," said John Dailey, the company's chief financial officer. Mona Cato and Sharon Snyder, who co-chaired this year's employee drive, said the money is raised through a variety of events, including golf tournaments, bake sales and a rubber duck race. "We make it fun for the employees to contribute," said Cato. "It just gets everyone involved," added Snyder. "They all know it goes back into the community." The company's 1,000 year-round employees and 5,000 to 6,000 seasonal workers contribute to the fund. Though the $145,439 check presented Friday put United Way at its goal, there's more money on the way from Bear Creek. Cato and Snyder said the employees raised another $4,900 on Tuesday during a sale of excess products -- baskets, ribbon and the like. More money is expected to come in for United Way later this month when employees begin selling a Bear Creek recipe book. Bear Creek donates to a number of nonprofits both in and beyond the Rogue Valley. Company executive Dailey said United Way's wide variety of affliliates and services makes it a natural fit. "This is one (nonprofit) that has a very broad reach," he said. "It's the major human need organization in the valley." Today's Business Index Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA