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United Way Services of Greater Cleveland sets $50 million goal
Announcement made today at Campaign Kick-off and Pancake Flip
(Cleveland, Ohio) September 1, 2004
United Way Services of Greater Cleveland announced a $50 million goal for 2004 this morning at its annual Campaign Kickoff and Pancake Flip. The goal represents a 7.5 percent increase over the 2003 $46.5 million campaign.
"The need is great," said 2004 Campaign chair Charles A. Ratner, president and CEO and a director of Forest City Enterprises, Inc. "I am asking every person here today to look into your hearts and give as generously as you can. It is through your generosity that we can make a difference."
Ratner made the announcement to an audience of several hundred people during United Way's Campaign Kickoff and Pancake Flip held today from 7 to 10:30 a.m. on Public Square. A huge banner with the goal was unfurled on the Terminal Tower as stilt-walkers unrolled a banner announcing the $50 million goal behind the podium.
United Way served the community well in 2003, but it is not enough:
- United Way Services' 211/First Call For Help referred 95,000 calls for help last year; the number has increased by 5 percent this year already
- 6,000 families received childcare through United Way-funded programs; but more parents are seeking subsidy for childcare because of government cutbacks
- 12,000 seniors received home health care or home delivered meals; but some seniors still have to wait from one to 10 days for meals to be available, if at all
- 500 individuals learned to read through Project: LEARN, a United Way partner agency; still, more than 209,000 people in Cuyahoga County read below the level necessary to earn minimum wage
- United Way funds 20 programs for early learning, 10 programs targeting education and 14 for employment; still Cleveland has a jobless rate of 12.7 percent, more than double the national average
United Way Services of Greater Cleveland provides nearly 200 programs serving 400,000 people annually at its more than 130 partner agencies. The services cover the spectrum from cradle to end of life and are available to anyone regardless of age, gender, orientation, race or economic standing.
"It is not enough," said Ratner. "We have a lot to do, but I have every confidence that you, the people of Greater Cleveland can make this goal."
"I am confident that this campaign year will be very successful," said Alexander M. "Sandy" Cutler, chairman of the United Way Services Board of Directors who introduced Ratner. Cutler is chairman and CEO of Eaton Corporation. "I am also confident that you, the people of Greater Cleveland, will give even more generously than you have in the past. And, for your past generosity, you have my deepest gratitude."
The Campaign already is off to a strong start with:
- a Pacesetter Campaign begun in June with147 companies working toward a goal of $8.9 million. Pacesetter campaigns end in September as the regular campaign begins
- $550,000 in challenge grants from Eaton Corporation, Forest City Enterprises, Inc., KeyCorp, MBNA, Medical Mutual of Ohio and National City Bank
- increased initiatives toward local athletes, individual and leadership gifts, women and minorities
- a strong team of volunteers, including the Executive Campaign Cabinet
- involvement of more new businesses
- and the biggest power breakfast in Cleveland, serving 2,500 breakfasts for fun and fund-raising to benefit the United Way Services of Greater Cleveland 2004 Campaign.
Local media personalities and corporate, community and labor leaders made pancakes for more than 2,500 breakfasts of pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee. Clear Channel Radio's WTAM 1100 broadcast the Wills and Coleman Show live from the site, and Bill Wills served as host for the Campaign Kickoff.
K. Michael Benz, president and CEO of United Way Services of Greater Cleveland, thanked the sponsors and friends who made the event possible, including Forest City Enterprises, Inc., Northern Haserot, cleveland.com, Verizon Wireless, Foote Printing, the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel, PC On Call and WDOK and Fifth Third Bank for the Mega Money Machine.
For further information, contact Jenna Snyder at (216) 436-2120 or jsnyder@uws.org.
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