United Way of Greater Chattanooga has named Roper Corp. as its benefactor Company of the Year.

“Part of the success in North Georgia has been the success of campaigns, which comes from other companies launching campaigns,” said Scott Reece, Roper communication training specialist. “We had continuous growth.”

Roper also received the Most Improved United Way campaign award from the United Way of Rome and Floyd County.

“Our Roper campaign team visited and encouraged area businesses and organizations to increase local giving by 97 percent even as giving in other areas of Greater Chattanooga declined by 10 percent,” Reece said.

Roper’s employee campaign has nearly quadrupled in four years, from $52,000 in 1999 to more than $203,000 last year, Reece said. Employee pledges and giving in the 2003 campaign topped $151,000, an 18 percent increase over 2002 and beating the $145,000 goal, The employee participation rate was about 77 percent, up from last year’s 72 percent.

General Electric, GE, Foundation’s contribution to Roper’s annual campaign increased from $30,000 in 2002 to $40,000 in 2003. The size of the increase is based on the increased employee participation rate.

In 2003, employees held three United Way fundraisers: a pig-kissing contest, car show and cookbook sale.

For the pig-kissing contest, Roper placed employees’ photos on buckets, and employees placed money in the bucket of the person they wanted to see kiss the pig, he said. Mickey Chapman won the manufacturing division, and Mike Signiski, quality manager, won for engineering. The contest raised $819.

Roper employees also brought their classic autos to a car show that raised $110. Show attendees voted on the best car, he said. Kay Henderson won with her Plymouth Barracuda CUDA.

“We compiled a cookbook, and Dot Troyer headed up the development,” he said. “We solicited recipes from employees.”

Some Ridgeland High School students joined in the effort. They volunteered to type recipes as a community service project.

Roper sold the cookbooks for $10 a piece and has raised more than $5,500. Roper still has cookbooks for sale.

Bake sales raised $269 and a baseball silent auction $260 for United Way.

Roper’s Chief Executive Officer Scott Ossewaarde headed up the North Georgia campaign two years ago. He hosts campaign meetings to speak to employees of United Way’s importance to the community.

United Way of Chattanooga raised more than $11 million dollars in 2003 to strengthen families and assure readiness for school and work in local communities. North Georgia contributions made up 4.45 percent of the total raised.

United Way’s cause

Kathy Howard, 2003 chairwoman and loaned executive, worked for United Way through Roper for three months.

“Roper paid for everything and let me go there to work and gave me a car,” Howard said. “I would call north Georgia companies to ask for United Way contributions.”

Howard was able to recruit about 20 contributors, including companies and government entities in Walker County. She also obtained assistance from other parts of north Georgia.

United Way helps fund Four Points Inc., a child advocacy organization that represents children in court; the Family Crisis Center, which aides victims of domestic violence in Walker, Catoosa, Dade and Chattooga counties; Walker Communities in Schools, which provides mentoring programs; and Catoosa Communities in Schools.

“Roper Corp. supports it (United Way) because there are a lot of charitable needs in north Georgia,” Reece said. “United Way gives us a central source. We know we will get the best bang for our buck to go to those in need in north Georgia.”

Reece said 100 percent of every dollar raised by United Way of Greater Chattanooga goes to member agencies. United Way has an endowment set up for operating expenses.

Roper maintains a computerized database where employees can log on and electronically pledge a portion of their paycheck to United Way. Employees can pick the agency they want their funds to go towards, such as Big Brother Big Sister, Boy Scouts, 4-H, YMCA, American Heart Association, Boys and Girls Club of Chattanooga and many more.

Each year, United Way reaches to help more charities due to continuous support of corporations like Roper, he said.

Roper has incentives for participating in the United Way effort. Two new General Electric Profile Ranges, two vacation days and a variety of other prizes, including tickets to the Tennessee Aquarium, duffel bags, water bottles, pizza parties and popcorn parties and more were distributed.

Also employees had the opportunity to win $100 gift certificates to Goody’s Family Clothing and Wal-Mart, as well as a two-year lease on an automobile provided by Newton Chevrolet of Chattanooga.

Reece said Roper awarded 16 ranges and one two-year lease on a car