So how does a group of employees raise nearly $5,000 per day? "It's not easy, but it is simple," said Rod Gauvin, Senior Vice President at ProQuest. "It's the culture of our company. We are a family-owned company, and the value ProQuest puts on working to make a difference in our communities is as much a part of our business model as making a difference for our customers."

The United Way Workplace Campaign has been a part of ProQuest's annual charitable fund for many years, with contributions for 2006 and 2007 alone reaching over $85,000.  This year, employees banded together to form a committee, host kick-off events and arrange brown bag lunches to raise awareness and encourage participation.   "The vision of the United Way is a terrific fit for us," said Marty Kahn, CEO. "It works to build stronger, healthier, and more compassionate communities; and it meshes perfectly with our commitment to libraries, librarians, and education.  Even in a world that continually grows with globalization, we know that it is important to stay connected to our own piece of it by reaching out to those who need it most."

Other community and charitable initiatives for ProQuest include building and donating a temporary library for Hurricane Katrina communities, participation in the March of Dimes WalkAmerica and Signature Chefs events, the Ann Arbor Symphony, the Susan B. Koman Foundation, the Salvation Army Holiday Event, and the American Red Cross.