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Fluor-B&W United Way Dinner, Talent Show and Auction raises $5,000.

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PORTIA WILLIAMS

PDT Staff Writer

PIKETON – The United Way Committee is $5,000 closer to its $50,000 fund raising goal for this year. Employees and managers from both DOE and Fluor-B&W held a United Fund dinner at Piketon High School Wednesday evening.

The Fluor-B&W United Way Campaign went Hollywood-style Wednesday night with the help of some employees, three American Idol look-a-likes who judged their talent and a number of “celebrity waiters” from both DOE and Fluor-B&W management teams.

Event patrons raised $5,000 which all will go to the United Way Committee fund raising effort.

The United Way Committee has a $50,000 goal this year and expects to meet or exceed that target by the end of the month.

The Piketon High School cafeteria was outfitted for fine dining on Wednesday night from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. as more than 200 patrons were seated around 20 tables each assigned to a Portsmouth senior manager who served as their waiter for the evening.

The menu consisted of a choice of ribs or chicken dinner, baked potato and coleslaw.

“This was really a fun evening and it really demonstrates the kindness and generosity of our folks,” said Fluor-B&W Program Manager Dennis Carr. “We are extremely fortunate to have a team so eager to serve our community and help those in need.”

Once dinner of either chicken or pork with all of the fixings was served, Frank Kelly, Fluor B&W Safety Department, served as the master of ceremonies for a talent show.

Celebrity judges were on hand to provide constructive feedback to the six contestants. Judges from the project included Gary Hoovler as Dennis Cowell, Tulanda Brown as Tivo Lopez, and Jason Lovins as Gilligan.

The talent show consisted of a variety of genres, from country singers, rappers, guitarists and even a contestant who stood on his head.

At the end the celebrity panel couldn’t pick a winner – except for United Way and all contestants settled for a first-place tie.

Following the show, Auctioneer Bill Setty asked patrons to pull out their wallets and bid on items donated by the workforce.

The auction and subsequent raffle brought in more than $1,000.

Auction items included golf clubs, hand-made leather items, gift baskets and over 20 gift certificates including one for a hot air balloon ride.

Patrons gave tips which totalled $1,090 to the wait staff, all managers from DOE and Flour B&W.

The wait staff for the evening included Dennis Carr, Fluor-B&W Program Manager, Vince Adams, DOE Site Director, Joel Bradburne, DOE Site Manager Steve Wentzel, Fluor-B&W Safety Manager, Fred Hughes, Fluor-B&W Surveillance and Maintenance Manager, Buck Martin, Fluor-B&W I.T. Manager, Jeff Wagner, Fluor-B&W Public Affairs Manager,Vern Nieporte, Fluor-B&W Compliance Officer Tracy Heidelberg, and Fluor-B&W Chief Financial Officer.

“Both our DOE client and Fluor-B&W have a strong commitment to community. Giving to United Way and the United Fund through fundraisers like tonight is a great way to show this commitment and it brings our respective teams together in the process,” said Carr.

Portia Williams may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 234 or portiawilliams@heartlandpublications.com