San Jose United Way Talent Show delights employees

Rockwell Collins Senior Electronics Technician Shane Lewis performs a song he wrote titled, 'Everlasting Peace,' during the United Way Talent Show in San Jose, Calif.
Photo by Selena Copeland, San Jose, Calif.

Rockwell Collins employees in San Jose, Calif., displayed their talents this summer during the second annual United Way Talent Show. Part of the 2007 Rockwell Collins Hands Across America campaign, the event raised more than $900.

According to Selena Copeland, senior Human Resources coordinator in San Jose, about 17 employees participated in the show, which attracted about 200 audience members. The musically inclined performed on stage with pianos and guitars. Principal Systems Engineer and comedian Tom Fiske recited humorous poetry, and other employees enacted humorous skits.

"Not only did we raise money for a good cause," said Copeland, "we had a lot of fun doing it."

Last year, the talent show spawned the creation of San Jose's own drama group, the North Country Players. Much to the delight of this year's crowd, the group performed again, this time acting out a mime to a humorous English poem from the North Country of England.

Following each talent show act, a hat was circulated around the audience. As a result, $400 was collected and added to the $500 received from employee pledge cards.

According to Principal Systems Engineer Susan Murdoch, who also is a member of the North Country Players, the talent show was not at all about which act raised the most money.

"We don't see it as a contest," said Murdoch. "It's just nice that people enjoy watching and donating to a worthy cause."