The business campaign for the Weyburn and District United Way received a double-boost this week, as for the first time there will be a full-time coordinator to work with businesses in conjunction with this year's major fund-raiser.

The business campaign coordinator will be Marla St. Onge, a Sask Energy employee, who will operate from an office in City Hall for a six-week period, announced executive director Nick Coroluick at a press conference in City Hall on Wednesday.

St. Onge will have her wages for that period paid for by Sask Energy, while the office space, computer and phone have been provided by the City of Weyburn.

One of the first duties for St. Onge will be to set up and organize the kick-off luncheon for the business community on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at Knox Hall, from noon to 1 p.m.

At this time, businesses and groups can let city residents know what their particular fund-raising activities will be for the Communithon.

Kevin Wallin, manager of Sask Energy's Weyburn office, said before now, this sort of position had only been provided in Regina and Saskatoon, but this year Weyburn will be the first community outside those centres where the Crown corporation will provide a paid position to the local United Way campaign.

"We firmly believe in giving back to the communities we serve," he said, adding, "We're very pleased that Weyburn has been chosen."

St. Onge will also be visiting businesses over the six-week period to discuss options for supporting the Communithon, including use of payroll deductions, and special business in-house campaigns or other activities the businesses may put on to raise funds.

"My role is to generate excitement in the business community. There are a lot of creative businesses who have good ideas," she said.

The Communithon itself will be held on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 21-22, at the Legion Hall, with a fund-raising goal of $120,005 in support of their 17 member agencies.

"The United Way is about improving the quality of life for people in the community, and we do that by providing funds to our 17 member agencies," said United Way board president Brent Allin, who noted part of the success of the organization is to change and evolve with the times. This expansion of the business campaign is a part of that change that should ensure the continued success of the annual fund-raiser, he said.

Marla St. Onge can be reached through City Hall, and her e-mail address is communithon@city.weyburn.sk.ca.