hearer's Foods continues to emphasize our commitment to community involvement through sponsorships and donations on a local, regional and national level. Support of schools and organizations is accomplished with financial and product donations by the company and its associates, as well as through donations of personal and company time. Contributions vary from truckload quantities distributed to food banks to local sponsorships of community programs and events to community advisory board positions by numerous associates.

A few years ago the company went a step further by forming our in-house Caring and Sharing Committee. Its mission is to identify fellow associates and people in the community with special needs, and provide support while getting all Shearer's associates involved in fund raising. Throughout the year fund raising events are held to raise the money to support the Committee's mission. Shearer's associates company-wide are welcome to join the group, whose members include associates on all three shifts from management to manufacturing. "One thing Shearer's associates have always been good at is supporting each other," says Tom Heath, Head Fryer and twenty-three year associate.

The impact on Shearer's from our support of the Caring and Sharing Committee and their efforts has been nothing but positive for many reasons. One, our associates in need receive the physical, emotional and financial help they need to get back on their feet. Second, by participating in fund raising events, Shearer's associates become involved with the community, become more aware of people around them and become more compassion associates. With stronger associates, we have a stronger organization and a stronger community.

In 2004, almost $10,000.00 was raised and distributed to needy organizations and individuals. Support on a community level was accomplished by funding missionary work in South America, the Relay for Life, Hospice of Stark County, American Red Cross Duck Race, the Veterans Affairs Volunteer Service, the education of a local girl, and a Santa Claus that helps needy families. Support on a personal level was also given to Shearer's associates who needed a boost at Christmas, help paying utility bills, help with expenses following an injury, help after the loss of a sister and much more.

As a result of these efforts, Shearer's Foods Caring and Sharing Committee was honored as the Winner of the Weatherhead 100 Community Services Best Practices Category, the Winner of the North Coast 99 Community Service Category, and the Winner of a Pillar Award for Community Service.

Shearer's Foods named The Compassionate Friends as their charity-of-choice to receive proceeds from the 2004 Annual Shearer's Golf Outing. A check for $2300 was presented by Bob and Melissa Shearer to Carla Budrow and Ruth Myers, representatives of The Compassionate Friends. The Compassionate Friends is a national non-profit, self-help support organization that offers friendship, understanding and hope to bereaved parents, grandparents and siblings following the loss of a child. Both Mrs. Budrow (an associate of Shearer's Foods) and Mrs. Myers have received support from The Compassionate Friends with the loss of their children. Shearer's Foods, along with its associates and suppliers, contributed to the fund raising effort. The Carroll-Stark-Tuscarawas Chapter of The Compassionate Friends has been in existence for 26 years. They meet the fourth Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at the Community One Credit Union, 6583 Frank Avenue (near The Strip), North Canton. For further information please call Ruth Myers at 330-767-3362. The Compassionate Friends was featured in an article in the Hometown Section of The Repository on July 25, 2004. Work on the 2005 Golf Outing is in progress.

Associates of Shearer's Foods participated in the 2004 Massillon Relay for Life Walk last June at Massillon's Tiger Stadium. Along with Shearer's donation, the Walk raised $53,000!

Shearer's associates, families and friends will join the Walk again in 2005. This year we have committed to a $1,000 sponsorship. Funds have been raised to cover sponsorship cost, and we will continuing fund raising right up to the Walk on June 10-11.