Guardian raises $45,000 for the United Way

Guardian's co-chairmen of the event, Tim Hamlin and Mark Walton, spearheaded the 2001 campaign with a bold challenge to employees to raise $30,000, improving on last year's $27,000.The Wyandot County United Way co-chairman also encouraged local businesses to give more than last year. More than 85 percent of the plant's employees participated in this year's drive, helping to smash through the ceiling of Upper Sandusky's fundraising goals.

"We've been overwhelmed by the generosity of our employees," said Hamlin. Walton added, "This drive really illustrates the giving atmosphere at Guardian."

In honor of their plant's fundraising efforts, Guardian managers volunteered as waiters and waitresses for their coworkers at a dinner catered by Harlan's Barbeque of Pandora. Cheerfully serving food at 2:00 a.m. to those working the night shift might sound awful, but Hamlin said it was a small token of appreciation for the goodness and giving the employees have shown. "It was a pleasure to serve them," he added.

"The willingness of this group to respond to the needs of others is another example of the great people we have in our facility," added plant manager, Brian Hyde. "At Guardian, we value the relationship with our community."

Guardian Industries Corp. is a leading worldwide manufacturer of float glass and fabricated glass products for the commercial and residential construction industries, based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. One of the Top 100 Global Automotive Suppliers, Guardian Automotive provides complete exterior systems to the global automotive industry. Guardian Fiberglass, Inc., a Guardian subsidiary, is one of the largest manufacturers of fiberglass in the world and occupies a significant and growing position in the building materials distribution business. Guardian, its subsidiaries and affiliates employ 17,500 people and operate facilities throughout North America, Europe, South America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.