We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped to make the 2009 WBNO/WQCT Blizzard Auction such a successful event for our United Way. In this troubled economy, we were still able to generate more than $15,000 - a one-day record total - for United Way programs and services. It takes the hard work of a lot of people to pull off such a large endeavor and those people should be recognized.

To those businesses and individuals that donated goods or services, thank you for your generosity. I believe that the quantity and quality of items was key to raising as much as we did.

Thanks to the volunteers... those who planned the auction, and those who gave up their Saturday at the radio station and/or the NW Ohio Job Center to ensure that things ran smoothly. A special thank you go to Tom and Wendy Voigt, Campaign 2008 chairs, for their leadership and dedication to not only this event, but the entire United Way campaign.

To those who bid on auction items, thank you for supporting United Way so generously. Often times, you bid much higher than the value of our items, and we appreciate that.

Thanks to Bryan Municipal Utilities - especially Eric Herman and Chrissy Underwood - who gave people the opportunity to view the items on TV. Thanks also to Amy Bellamy for taking all the wonderful photos shown on TV and our web site - a picture is truly worth 1,000 words.

To those who did the actual selling - Andy Brigle, Bill Priest, J.B. Orendorff, Jim Funderburg, and Jim Bellamy. It was a pleasure to work with you all.

And finally, a HUGE thank you to the staff of WBNO/WQCT Radio - Andy, Cindra, Courtney, Suzie, Terry, and Tom - for giving us this opportunity and allowing us to invade your space.

While the Blizzard Auction marks the unofficial end of our campaign, we will continue our work to improve the lives of our Williams County neighbors-in-need. As always, you are invited to join us by mailing a contribution to P.O. Box 525, Bryan or learning more on our website, www.unitedwaywc.org.

Sincerely,

Chris Malanga and Pam Schroeder
United Way of Williams County