craigdailypress.com

Trapper Mine announced Monday its total for the Moffat County United Way campaign -- $70,080.

Jeanine Campbell, human resources manager for the mine, which is this year's campaign pacesetter, said this is a sizable increase from the total the company raised last year.

"I think it was awesome because we were at $62,500 for 2006," Campbell said. "So I think that's pretty awesome."

This year, Campbell said the mine offered more prizes -- such as drawings for floating holidays, restaurant gift certificates, silver coins and Yahoo Golf Tournament ball drop entries -- than in years past.

This year, the mine, which employs 160 people, had 16 new contributors and 20 donators who raised their payroll deductions.

"I think the best thing is we have half the employees of Tri-State, Twentymile, Colowyo," Campbell said. "We have half the employees, and we're right up there with the big boys."

Trapper Mine, like many local businesses, matches employees' donations to Uni--ted Way.

This year's goal is an unprecedented $415,000, about the same total raised in last year's campaign. Last year yielded the local organization's highest total ever.

Corrie Scott, United Way director, said Trapper Mine's contribution brings the organization's total to about 30 percent of its goal.

Campbell said United Way, which provides financial help to many nonprofit agencies in the area, is a worthwhile group that Trapper Mine is happy to support.

"I think Trapper Mine prides itself on being a community-oriented company, since we're one of the largest employers in the valley," Campbell said. "I just think we need to help each other out."

Michelle Perry can be reached at 824-7031, ext. 204, or mperry@craigdailypress.com.