United Way of Greater Cleveland announces 2005 campaign goal: $43.5 million

(Cleveland, Ohio) September 1, 2005
United Way of Greater Cleveland has set a $43.5 million goal for the 2005 campaign. Henry Meyer III, 2005 United Way Campaign Chair and Chairman and CEO of KeyCorp, announced the goal at the annual United Way Pancake Flip and Campaign Kick-off held on Public Square at 8 a.m. this morning.

"I am grateful to the thousands of Greater Cleveland donors who give so generously to United Way," said Mr. Meyer. "Your contributions help provide a safety net of health and human services every day in our community as well as fuel solutions to problems that will positively impact our community for generations to come. Together, there is no limit to what we can achieve."

Alexander "Sandy" Cutler, Chairman of the United Way Board of Directors and the Chairman and CEO of Eaton Corporation, also addressed the audience. "This year is more important than ever to participate in the United Way Campaign here in Cleveland," he said. "This is because more and more people in our community are reaching out to United Way programs to help improve their lives. As a result there is an increasing demand for these services so we can meet their needs."

With pancakes being flipped by civic leaders and the Indians' Slider entertaining the crowd, Mr. Meyer reported that the campaign is already underway and off to an excellent start. He reported that $8 million has been raised by companies that conducted pacesetter campaigns through the summer months and early individual gifts. Among the pacesetter companies is KeyBank, that presented a check representing pledges and their corporate gift totaling $3.9 million. Also $600,000 in challenge grants have already been committed from Charter One Bank, N.A.; Eaton Corporation; Forest City Enterprises, Inc.; KeyBank; National City Bank; MBNA; Medical Mutual of Ohio and University Hospitals of Cleveland. Mr. Meyer said that because of the commitment of his campaign cabinet members he expects increases in leadership and Ten Plus giving.

"We have a committed and enthusiastic campaign cabinet that is focused on conducting an excellent campaign because of their dedication to our community," said Mr. Meyer.

Local media personalities and corporate, community and labor leaders made pancakes for more than 2,000 breakfasts of pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee as part of the traditional campaign kick-off event. 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 Kick-off.

K. Michael Benz, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Cleveland, thanked the sponsors and friends who made the event possible, including KeyCorp, Northern Haserot, cleveland.com, Verizon Wireless, Foote Printing, the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel and both WDOK and Fifth Third Bank for their Mega Money Machine.

United Way of Greater Cleveland is a leading convener and funder of partnerships focused on solutions for our community's health and human service priorities. It has been a part of Greater Cleveland's community since 1913 and is the 14th largest United Way in the country.

For further information, contact David Levey at (216) 436-2122 or dlevey@uws.org.