Gooey, sticky whipped cream covered the faces of Liebert supervisors yesterday -- and the employees who participated kept their jobs.

Monday morning, Liebert associates bought $1 raffle tickets to throw pies at the company managers and supervisors to raise funds for the United Way of the River Cities.

"We wanted to do something different," said Plant Manager, Bob Walters. "We'll do anything to help United Way. Some of the supervisors assumed people would want to throw pies at them because they thought everyone loved them."

However, 35 people bought tickets before the event started -- and more were buying as it got under way. At the beginning, Walters was the preferred person to pelt.

"I'm surprised." he said. "I hope they take it easy, and they're not good throwers. I also hope they mix the vanilla and chocolate together."

Jeff Lewis, a machine operator, was one of the pie throwers.

"It's all in good fun," he said. "The supervisors are good sports, and this is for a good cause."

Shannon Burke, the 18-year-old daughter of production manager Pat Burke, also bought a ticket to throw a pie at her father.

Supervisors and United Way representatives praised the Liebert employees for donating their money and time.

"We didn't have to go begging," said D.J. Gore, a United Way co-coordinator who works for Liebert. "I'm impressed that so many of them want to do this."

"They're not selfish people," said Walters. "These are people who go above and beyond to help one another and their community." Amelia Pridemore/The Ironton Tribune