Tri-State Orthopedic Surgeons Inc. and Pro-Rehab battled it out for a month. The result was 2,396 pounds of food and clothing donated to charity.

The two Evansville companies participated in what they called the "Big Give Challenge," in which Tri-State Orthopedic challenged Pro-Rehab to a competition to see who could collect the most food and clothing.

Ottman liked the idea so much that he took it to management at his workplace.

"They loved it, too, especially in the current economic climate," Ottman said.

When Pro-Rehab agreed to take the challenge, the companies went to work. For four weeks, employees brought in food and gently used clothing. Each company had periodic weigh-ins to track progress but kept the results secret.

On Friday, each company had its final weigh-in. The numbers were close. Tri-State Orthopedic won with 1,370.5 pounds of items. Pro-Rehab trailed by 345.3 pounds.

"It added up to a big number," Ottman said, one far larger than he had anticipated.

"In the beginning, I set what I thought was a lofty goal of 1,000 pounds," he said.

Ottman said Tri-State Orthopedic collected a lot more clothes than food.

"People were doing their spring cleaning, getting rid of jeans that don't fit anymore," Ottman said.

The items Tri-State Orthopedic collected were given to Goodwill and the Tri-State Food Bank.

Ottman said the company is throwing around ideas for similar competitions in the future.

"Someone said we should do something around Thanksgiving and have a toy drive," Ottman said, but no firm plans have been made yet. For now, the two companies are planning a breakfast.

That was part of the deal. The losing company has to treat the winning company to breakfast. For Tri-State Orthopedic, it looks like breakfast is on the house.