More than 1,200 turn out for Benefits Fair

12:01 p.m., May 19, 2006--The May 9 Benefits Fair provided everything you've ever wanted to know about UD benefits, as well as door prizes and giveaways. The ninth annual event, sponsored by the Office of Human Resources, brought together 26 UD benefits representatives and service providers into one room. This design provides employees and retirees with an opportunity to browse the many tables and vendor displays while gathering information, asking questions or just filling their bags with numerous giveaways. The event is intended to aid individuals in making benefit-related decisions before the May 24 open enrollment deadline.

Darren Hengst, a Medco representative who regularly staffs benefits fairs, said he didn't expect such interest. “It's been busy all day long. Two company reps flew in just for the fair. If they hadn't brought extra materials with them, I would have run out of literature this morning,” he said. Medco is the new pharmacy benefit provider, as of July 1, for individuals enrolled in the UD health plans--Blue Care, the Comprehensive PPO, Coventry Health Care--as well as the Medicare Supplemental Plans for retirees.

Human Resources staff and representatives also were on hand to answer questions and provide information.

“Over the past nine years, the benefits fair has shown a steady increase in the number of attendees. We've receive very positive feedback from the campus community in regard to the fair,” Chris Ulrich, manager in the Office of Human Resources, said. “This year, in particular, employees and retirees came prepared with their questions and specific providers that they planned to visit. It is also great to hear comments from the benefit vendors about how well-attended the UD event is.”

Along with a number of giveaways, employees who visited the fair were eligible for door prizes. The winners, their prizes and the sponsors of each prize are:

Neal Phillips, travel mug, Blood Bank of Delaware;
Sharon Dorr, red stapler, Blood Bank of Delaware;
Lorraine Holton, stainless steel travel thermos, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware;
Johnie Burton, insulated lunch tote bag, CNA;
Denise Tuttle, insulated lunch tote bag, CNA;
Maryanne Brown-Mackay, $50 American Express gift certificate, Coventry Health Care;
Michael Levasseur, $50 American Express gift certificate, Coventry Health Care;
Ramona Wilson, electric toothbrush, Dominion Dental;
Barbara Garrison, tote bag, Early Learning Center;
Diane Gatrell, $25 Christiana Mall gift certificate, Family & Workplace Connection;
Sandy Farmer, sport duffel, Fidelity Investments;
Susan Wilson, sweatshirt blanket, Human Resources;
Donald Lushis, sweatshirt blanket, Human Resources;
Kim Yackoski, shredder, Liberty Mutual;
Michael Speechley, binoculars, Liberty Mutual;
Arlene Hitchens, binoculars, Liberty Mutual;
Jacqueline Boyer, road safety kit, Liberty Mutual;
Carroll Reynolds, $100 Mastercard gift certificate, Medco;
Marilyn Grush, Snoopy, MetLife;
Jason Cash, Eagles helmet and certificate, Procurement Services/ Verizon;
Lillian Wang, Windjammer umbrella, Standard Insurance Co.;
Janusz Murakowski, golf umbrella, Standard Insurance Co.;
Leslie Criston, duffel bag, Standard Insurance Co.;
Rhonda Martell, Windjammer umbrella, Standard Insurance Co.;
Nancy Millard, $100 Borders gift certificate, Superior Vision Services;
Nina Warren, Home Depot gift certificate, The Hartford;
Bob Williams, golf pack, TIAA-CREF;
Ron Beaver, beach pack, TIAA-CREF;
David Van Hook, entertainment savings book, Udel Federal Credit Union;
Stephen Barr, electric toothbrush, United Concordia;
John Warren, lunch pack and mug, Employee Wellness Center;
Audrey Pessu-Uwah, lunch pack, Wilmington Trust;
Doug Isakoff, caller ID telephone, WSFS;
Mary Ann Brown, caller ID telephone, WSFS;
Joanne Burchard, caller ID telephone, WSFS;
Paul Dumigan, caller ID telephone, WSFS; and
Barbara Stephens, caller ID telephone, WSFS.

The winner of the “Who's Sponsoring Your Ride” drawing for the car wash discount book and keepsake ornament, donated by Human Resources, is Lisa Hale.

Anne McCullin, who correctly guessed that there were 397 candies in the jar, won the jar and the candies.

Prizes must be picked up in person at the Office of Human Resources, 413 Academy St., by Wednesday, May 31, or new prizewinners will be chosen.

For more information, call (302) 831-2171.

Photos by Kathy F. Atkinson

E-mail this article

Subscribe to UDaily

Subscribe to crime alert e-mail notification