EASLEY — Baptist Easley Hospital’s annual United Way campaign recently concluded with great results. When all of the pledge forms were turned in and the special event income counted, the hospital raised 114 percent of its $35,000 goal — just more than $40,000.

Under the leadership of CEO Michael Batchelor, the planning committee of Rick Posey, Betsy Beam, Andrea Stegall and 40 team captains organized a model campaign which included presentations, a focus on leadership giving, and fun special events.

New to the campaign this year was a silent auction for gift baskets that generated about $2,500 for the United Way. Individual departments designed fun and interesting baskets which were sold in a silent auction on the last day of the campaign. A total of 33 baskets were donated, including a scenic tour in a physician’s plane, an evening of star gazing with another physician, spa packages, movie dates and services.

The top basket sold for $290, and many others were purchased for more than $100. A lot of creativity went into planning this event. Because many of the hospital’s satellite physician practices and finance team were not able to attend the auction in person, the planning committee arranged for the offsite employees to bid by phone.

Events like the basket auction, not only raise funds for United Way, they are really a morale booster for staff.

“The 2014-2015 United Way Campaign will officially kick off on Sept. 11,” said Tracey Long, United Way of Pickens County’s newly hired director of resource development. “This is a great way to launch what we feel will be a record-breaking campaign. If any Pickens County company or organization would like to plan a campaign at their workplace, I would love to help.”

Contact Long at (864) 608-5690 or tlong@uwpickens.org.