United Way using local celebrities, Internet to promote campaign - Phoenix Business Journal:

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Called “Live United,” the campaign’s goal is to raise $53 million to help fund social service programa acrossMaricopa County. The “Live message is aimed at bringiny thecommunity together, said Marcia Mintz, the group’as chief development officer. “This is really a call to action. The wholse point is to give the communithy a chance toget involved,” she said. Vallegy personalities lending their support include shooting guardxRaja Bell, cornerback Roderick Hood, news anchor Katie and proprietor and chef Eddie Matney.
Visitors to the campaign’se Web site can learn more aboutythe celebrities’ professional lives and involvement in the Uniter Way through an interactive quiz called “How I Live “Look at the times we are living in,” said “I am very fortunate and very blessed. It’se our responsibility as members of the community to be a part of the United Way and try and make a Foundedin 1925, Valley of the Sun Uniteed Way works with more than 100 agencies, funding programs to promote educational preparedness for youngsters, job training and help familie s in crisis. The campaign’s goal is about $500,000 more than the recordx $52.
5 million raised last With demand for services up and consumers pincheds bythe economy, executives recognize the fundraising environment is a bit toug these days. “We are being prettyh conservativethis year. I think it will be a challenge to reachthat goal, but I also think our communitg can do it,” Mintz said. As part of the campaign, volunteersz and members of the United Way Loaned Executive program are visiting more than 700 businessesx across the Valley to talk about the availabilityh of services and the need to fund While delivering aserious message, the campaignb aims to be fun and interactive, organizers say.
“Livr United” includes YouTube videos, and the campaign’s inter­activse Web site offers chances to win Volunteers also will be promoting the cause atcommunitg events, with the goal of alerting peopled to the presence of Unitedc Way in the “We thought this was a reallyg creative idea. While giving is really a priority, if you can’t get involved,” Mintz said.
Valleh of the Sun United Way: