FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 9/8/2005

Contact: Seandra Sims 302-573-3731 ssims@uwde.org

UNITED WAY LEADERS URGE SUPPORT FOR 2005 CAMPAIGN

Wilmington, Del. – United Way of Delaware officially kicked off the 2005 fundraising campaign today with events at Delaware Technical & Community College campuses in all three counties. Dr. Orlando J. George, Jr., 2005 Campaign Chair and president of Delaware Tech, is leading the effort to raise funds benefiting a myriad of health and human service agencies and programs in Delaware.

United Way’s theme, Changing Lives, reflects the organization’s ongoing mission to improve the quality of life for all Delawareans. Donations to the campaign benefit programs that serve Delaware’s most critical needs, including food and shelter, children and youth problems like education and child abuse, senior care, assistance for persons with disabilities, prenatal care for expectant mothers, healthcare issues, and many more.

“When we all pull together as a community and give through United Way of Delaware, we are able to see just how immediate our impact can be on the lives of others,” said Dr. George. “Now is the time for all Delawareans to step up and be part of the solution,” he added.

United Way staff and volunteers hope to raise $25.7 million for the campaign, a figure that is lower than last year due to changes in Delaware’s workforce and other local economic factors that have decreased United Way’s donor base. United Way leaders are stressing the importance of giving to the Community Impact Fund, a pool of money that allows donors to address the myriad of problems plaguing our local community through a single donation.

“Directing at least a portion of your United Way gift to the Community Impact Fund helps to ensure that donors are not excluding people who desperately need our help,” said Dr. George. “Donations to the fund are directed only to programs in Delaware that are proven to be effective,” he added.

“We know there are factors that will make reaching this year’s campaign goal a real challenge,” said Drew Langloh, United Way president. “However, it simply means that we will have to work even harder to let people know about the critical needs in our community – after all, lives are depending on us,” he added. Langloh also said that United Way of Delaware has an aggressive strategy to increase donations to the Community Impact Fund and the campaign overall.

The 2005 Campaign will officially run through the end of December; however, donations are welcome throughout the year. For more information, please contact United Way of Delaware at (302) 573-3700 or visit us on the web at www.uwde.org. United Way of Delaware: Impacting our community by focusing on what matters…changing lives.