United Way awards Telamon Corporation top prize in video competition

INDIANAPOLIS (Press Release) - A video parody of the rap hit “Price Tag,” created by employees of Telamon Corporation in Carmel, is the grand prize winner of United Way of Central Indiana’s premier Give Gleefully video competition. Telamon won the top prize among 31 entrants by earning votes and money from online viewers.

The company chose Second Helpings Inc., an agency that rescues surplus food and uses it to feed thousands of hungry people, to receive its grand prize — a $5,000 “gratitude grant” provided by United Way Annual Campaign Chair Marianne Glick (Glickart.com). Telamon was also the monthly winner of the November competition, and chose Visiting Nurse Service Inc. to benefit from that $1,000 grant. Both are United Way agencies.

Glick created and financed the competition to give supporters a way to tell a story, have fun and build support for United Way’s campaign.

On hand to present the award to Telamon employees at a company celebration (Mon., Dec. 19), Glick said the contest raised $5,000 from online givers to the campaign. But more importantly, it helped people to “imagine and communicate what their support for the LIVE UNITED movement can do for the community,” she added.

The short Telamon video features original lyrics touting United Way and its mission, using the “It’s about the money, money, money,” refrain. The production stars “A-Bling-coin” and back-up Telamon dancers performing among the cubicles in the company’s Carmel headquarters.

So far, United Way’s annual campaign has raised more than $34.4 million toward its $39.2 million goal, or 88 percent.