By Jenny Callison
Enquirer contributor

Four dozen Tristate residents who strongly supported United Way found out this week why people say it's better to give than to receive.

The donors were the first to participate in a new United Way "Leaders' Circle" prize drawing that rewarded Greater Cincinnati residents who contributed.

The 48 people were selected through a drawing from more than 6000 people who met Leaders' Circle guidelines, which suggests a percentage of the donor's salary. For a person whose income is $25,000 per year, that amount is $240; for someone who makes $75,000 annually, it's $1,500.

The prizes included a General Electric dream kitchen, season tickets for the Cincinnati Reds, a trip to New York, and $1,000 shopping sprees at Lazarus. Fifteen local companies pitched in with prizes.

"We heard about this United Way program that was offered at other cities and decided we wanted to bring it to Cincinnati," said Dave Calhoun, president and CEO of GE Aircraft Engines, who led the 2002 campaign.

Representatives from donor companies were present at the event, held Thursday night at St. Rita's School for the Deaf in Evendale, to award the prizes they donated.

"We can never thank donors enough for all they do in our community. The Leaders' Circle drawing was another way for us to do that," said Rob Reifsnyder, president of the United Way of Greater Cincinnati.

Donor companies were American Financial Group, Cincinnati Bell, the Cincinnati Bengals, Cinergy, Delta Air Lines, Ethicon Endo-Surgery, The E.W. Scripps Co., Federated Department Stores, Frisch's, GE, Kroger, Provident Bank, Sara Lee, U.S. Bank and Fifth Third Bank.

E-mail jcallison@cinci.rr.com