STUDENT ARTISTS, VOLUNTEERS KEY PLAYERS IN
UNITED WAY KICKOFF EVENT

BRIDGEPORT, CT - (May 12, 2003) Anyone who pledged through an annual workplace campaign knows the United Way of Eastern Fairfield County is very good at putting donations to work achieving positive results in the communities it serves. But the 2003 Campaign Kickoff at tomorrow's Bridgeport Bluefish game will be all about how the United Way is giving back to young people and anyone who makes a difference through volunteering.

The Kickoff commences, weather permitting, at 6:20 pm with eight-year-old recording artist Annie Nirschel singing the National Anthem, and 2003 United Way Campaign Chair Barbara Johnson of People's Bank throwing out the first pitch. Then, nearly 1,000 volunteers from across the United Way's service area will join fans taking in the action as the Bluefish battle the Pennsylvania Road Warriors.

Along the way all attendees will hear about the 'new' United Way, congratulate the winner of the student design contest for the 2003 United Way Day of Caring logo, meet the 2003-2004 Campaign Cabinet, and view a short film about the many ways the United Way is quickly becoming a results-driven agent for change in the communities it serves.

According to United Way President and CPO Merle Berke-Schlessel, to help showcase 'what matters,' the United Way planned this year's event with an eye on recognizing the many ways so many in the community help make a difference.

"We reserved tickets to give away to anyone who volunteered during the past year, for either United Way or other local community programs," Berke-Schlessel said. "We're really walking the talk when it comes to the United Way's rapidly changing mission moving away from being a federated fund-raiser. It's becoming all about parlaying our highly recognized brand into a more empowered agency promoting results and our hundreds of key partnerships with service agencies and volunteers in the region who make a difference every day."

In March, the United Way went to the local student community in search of an image to brand its 2003 Day of Caring which is scheduled for Sept. 18. The day-long event involves thousands of volunteers who pitch in individually or in teams to help community groups and nonprofit organizations with service projects.The winning logo design and its creator will be introduced at the Kickoff. The finalist's design will appear on all printed media related to the annual service day, including a limited edition 2003 Day of caring t-shirt and outdoor advertisements supplied by Day of Caring Chair Dan Carney and his company, Lamar Advertising.

Each of three semi-finalists will also earn a gift card for their school, redeemable for equipment and/or supplies for each respective school's Day of Caring campus project.

The event will also provide an opportunity for the agency to introduce the Campaign Cabinet, a group of volunteer representatives from area companies who will be coordinating Annual Campaigns in workplaces across the region. The Cabinet includes: Paul Antinozzi, the Honorable Ray Baldwin, Collin Baron, Debbie Breslawsky, Dan Carney, Stephen Jakab, Charles Lomnitzer, Ann Miron, William Murphy, Connie Onofrio, Michael Rosso, Richard Schmidt, James Sheridan, Brian Hubner, John Klein, and Joan and William Grabe.

United Way focuses on what matters and builds stronger communities by supporting 80 health and human service programs that helped more than 180,000 people last year. United Way funded programs are involved in a range of critical services serving the six towns of Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford, and Trumbull.