125 Years Of The United Way Movement And the Fifth Annual United Way Day of Action

World's Largest Privately-Funded Charity Celebrates Worldwide 250 Communities in Seven Countries Participate in Volunteer Education, Income and Health Projects

WASHINGTON, June 22, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Volunteers in seven countries yesterday participated in the fifth annual United Way Day of Action advancing education, income and health projects and creating opportunities for a better life in communities around the world. Partners and institutions celebrated 125 years of the United Way movement by generating public awareness and participating in volunteer activities, including education-related congressional advocacy, literacy awareness outreach and reading to children.

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In Washington, D.C., United Way TEAM NFL—a volunteer group of college-educated, civic-minded NFL players from teams across the league—committed to recruit readers, tutors and mentors, worked with youth and lobbied congress on education issues. In New York City, Thompson Reuters/Nasdaq filled Time Square with images of United Way volunteers and invitations to LIVE UNITED – to give, advocate or volunteer. June 21 – the summer solstice/longest day of the year – culminated with the lighting of the Empire State Building in blue, United Way's signature color.

"United Way's focus on education, income and health is as important and relevant today as it was when community leaders came together in Denver, Colorado, in 1887," said Cynthia Round, Vice President of Brand Leadership at United Way Worldwide. "It's only fitting that our Day of Action spotlight how we, our supporters and partners around the world are creating opportunities for a better life for all."

This year, more than 250 communities in Canada, Colombia, France, Romania, Russia, South Africa and the United States participated in the 2012 United Way Day of Action. Social media engagement around United Way Day of Action — #LIVEUNITED, #IAmTheChange, #TEAMNFL — resulted in nearly 10 million Twitter impressions and trended at several points throughout the day.

About United Way

United Way is a worldwide network of nearly 1,800 local organizations in 41 countries and territories, including more than 1,200 local organizations in the U.S. It advances the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all by focusing on the three key building blocks of education, income and health.  United Way recruits people and organizations who bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done.  LIVE UNITED® is a call to action for everyone to become a part of the change. For more information about United Way, please visit: www.UnitedWay.org. 

Media Contact: Bill Meierling
[email protected]
703-836-7112 x283

SOURCE United Way