Companies aren’t really making actual sparks fly. Unless they’re making their workplace campaign decorations with a blow torch. Then maybe.

The Sparkies awards on March 5 bring the best of the best together in the name of generosity, like K&L Gates (left), one of last year’s winners. Could these companies be contenders for one of the five awards?

Sellen Construction Company

Sellen builds a campaign team that includes a campaign executive, staff from all levels and coordinators at every jobsite.

This year the team tied the campaign with a company milestone: 70 years of doing business in the Northwest. The theme of “$7 for 70” was born, as was the goal of employees giving $7 a week.

What’s Sparkies-worthy: Creative incentives—hardhat stickers, a drawing for a Russell Wilson-signed football. A clear campaign focus on youth homelessness got employees connected to United Way’s work. Plus the specific $7 goal made donating more tangible.

PwC

Hair-band wigs and leather? You don’t have to ask us twice. The groupie look was all the rage at PwC Seattle’s 2014 Giving Campaign Auction on Nov. 14 at the Showbox SoDo.

Organizers kept the night exciting with live and silent auctions. Auction items included a year of Showbox concerts, suite tickets for the U.S. Open, and goodie baskets galore.

What’s Sparkies-worthy: Tons of auction items meant there was something for everyone. PwC underwrites the event, provides dinner and drink tickets, and doesn’t charge a registration fee. It’s so that all auction proceeds can go to United Way.

Russell Investments

Russell’s campaign includes Mission Aligned Projects (MAP). These half-day morning events get employees out to see firsthand the good being done at United Way-funded agencies.

On Nov. 14, volunteer groups headed to MAPs at:

• Friends of Youth’s drop-in shelter to clean and do arts and crafts with homeless teens.
• YWCA Angeline’s Women’s Center to serve 100+ homeless women a hot, healthy lunch.
• Solid Ground’s Marra Farm to plant, prune and harvest food for area food banks.

What’s Sparkies-worthy: Three hands-on projects gave people a feel for United Way’s work. Volunteers see how easy it is to make a difference—which inspires them to donate too.

Want to hear more of this inspirational goodness? Save March 5 for The Sparkies awards—online RSVPs open here next week.

Read about three more Sparkies-worthy campaigns.