Two area companies, DePuy Synthes Joint Reconstruction and Paragon Medical, have signed on to be pacesetters for the 2013 United Way Campaign in Kosciusko County. Internal teams of employees at both companies, along with United Way staff, have been working to execute their annual fund drive designed especially for their employees.

DePuy Synthes Joint Reconstruction (a division of DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc.), founded in 1895, is a global leader in knee, hip and shoulder replacements and employs approximately 1,200 staff in Warsaw. United Way is excited to have this company as a pacesetter this year as it has such a strong history of philanthropy in our community.

Andrew Ekdahl, worldwide president of DePuy Synthes Joint Reconstruction shared, “While it’s tremendously gratifying our products help patients around the world, it’s equally rewarding for us to help our friends and neighbors right here in Kosciusko County who rely on the services United Way provides. DePuy Synthes Joint Reconstruction is honored to be a pacesetter because we strongly believe in the mission of United Way and we believe we can generate a level of enthusiasm and employee engagement that will inspire other corporate campaigns.”

DePuy Synthes Joint Reconstruction will be hosting several events in conjunction with their campaign drive including a 5K walk/run open to the community, a silent auction and a ‘Jail & Bail’ where volunteers will raise funds to pay their way out of jail with all contributions going to the United Way.

Founded in 1991, and with a staff of over 1,000 worldwide, Paragon Medical has become a leading tier one, turnkey supplier of world-class solutions for delivery systems, surgical instrumentation, implantable components and design and development services to the medical device marketplace. Employees at Paragon are invested in the community through an annual United Way campaign as well as through volunteer opportunities such as the Day of Caring.

Some of the activities planned for employees, who give through payroll deduction at Paragon, include a ‘Setting the Pace’ luncheon with the leadership team, ‘Flipping over Flapjacks’ breakfast on kickoff day and they will hold a weeklong celebration with activities scheduled every day. Incentives include vacation days, extended lunches, a chance to win the CEO’s parking space, lunch with their executive of choice and a weekend getaway hotel stay. The theme for Paragon’s internal campaign is, “Joining Together to Make a Big Difference Because What’s Raised Here Stays Here.”

In addition to employee contributions, both companies give to United Way via matching programs or through direct corporate donations. Patricia Coy, Executive Director of United Way of Kosciusko County, stated, “United Way is fortunate to have long standing relationships with DePuy Synthes Joint Reconstruction and Paragon Medical; we are thrilled they will be joining the campaign as pacesetters this year.”

The annual campaign is a tool used by United Way of Kosciusko County to drive and sustain change in our community. The 2013 campaign is more important than ever as we try to positively impact our county in the areas of education, financial stability and health. More information about how you can participate in many ways is available online at www.unitedwaykosciusko.org. The United Way appreciates this year’s pacesetters, joins with them to extend an invitation to the community to participate in the campaign and most importantly to demonstrate what it means to live united.