Ice cream served for a job well done in Melbourne

Ice cream was the order of the day for Rockwell Collins employees in Melbourne, Fla., after the facility was notified that it exceeded the 2007 Hands Across America campaign goal by an impressive $4,000.

This year, 773 employees took part in the campaign. Those who had participated in previous years were encouraged to raise their donations by 25 cents, and new contributors were asked to donate at least $1 each week. In the end, the facility raised a total of $109,000.

"The money raised goes back into our community, and there have been many times when our family members and friends have needed the services provided by United Way," said Gail Goldstein, a senior administrative assistant in Melbourne. "It's nice to know that we have helped in some way."

Several prizes such as theme park tickets, digital cameras, DVD players, a fishing trip, and a golf outing were awarded to various employees for helping the facility accomplish this goal.

"Our employees really enjoyed having the members of our senior management team serve them ice cream," said Peggy Ritter, senior Human Resources coordinator. "It was a really nice way for our company to say thanks, but I think our employees were even more pleased just knowing that their money was going to a worthy cause."