United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey Kicks Off 2014-15 Regional Fundraising Campaign

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey (UWGPSNJ) has kicked off its 2014-15 annual fundraising campaign. Karen Dougherty Buchholz, senior vice president of administration, Comcast Corporation and Charisse R. Lillie, vice president, community investment, Comcast Corporation and president, Comcast Foundation, will serve as its new co-chairs.  They will work with a team of nearly 100 volunteers from business, the nonprofit sector and the community from around the region to drive philanthropic investments in Education, Income, Health and Basic Needs over the next several months.

"Karen and Charisse are not only respected business leaders; they care deeply about this community. We are thrilled to have them both at the helm of our first region-wide campaign this year," says Anthony J. Conti, interim president and CEO of UWGPSNJ. "Under their leadership, we're convening the right people with the right experience and passion across this region to help drive investment in our Impact Fund and deliver results that drive measurable, lasting Impact that none of us can achieve alone. The generosity of our donors enables us to build brighter futures for thousands of individuals and families facing the challenges of poverty every day."    

Through the Impact Fund, UWGPSNJ works to develop innovative strategies to address our communities' toughest challenges in the areas of Education, Income and Health and taps the right partners in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors to bring those strategies to life and drive Impact to improve lives from Western Montgomery County to the Jersey shore.

"United Way is my philanthropic partner because their work creates Impact that truly transforms lives," said Charisse Lillie. "I've been involved with this organization for many years, and I am truly honored to take on this new role as campaign co-chair. It is an opportunity to help fully leverage our extended network to open doors for the organization, connect with more companies and donors, and build critical relationships to help grow United Way's Impact Fund across our footprint."

"As individuals we can help others improve their lives, but when we come together, we can have a greater Impact and do significantly more. That's why I'm so proud to be United Way's campaign co-chair this year," added Karen Buchholz. "This is a critical time in our region, and collective action is what will help us create measurable, long-lasting Impact for those in need in our local communities."

UWGSNJ would also like to thank the following volunteers from around the region that will lead campaign efforts in local communities:   

• Atlantic/Cape May Counties: Steve Callender, general manager, Tropicana Casino & Resort
• Burlington County: Glen Walton, partner, Not for Profit Group, Bowman & Company, LLP
• Camden County: Robert B. Worley, SVP, NJ Market Manager, Republic Bank
• Cumberland County: Aaron Katzoff, area vice president, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
• Delaware County: Michael Brady, general manager, LPL Financial 

UWGPSNJ's annual campaign helps connect donors with philanthropic investment opportunities. Contributions to the Impact Fund ensure children start kindergarten ready to learn; students read at grade level by the end of third grade; youth graduate from high school ready for college and career; households have the income and assets necessary to be financially stable and economically independent; and that individuals and families have access to resources they need to lead healthy lives and have their basic needs met. 

For more information about UWGPSNJ, its Impact agenda, or the workplace campaign, visit www.UnitedForImpact.org.

About United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, serving communities in Pennsylvania's Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, and New Jersey's Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May and Cumberland counties, is part of a national network of more than 1,300 locally governed organizations that work to create lasting positive changes in communities and in people's lives. United Way engages the community to identify the underlying causes of the most significant local issues, develops strategies and pulls together financial and human resources to address them, and measures the results. United Way is advancing the common good in Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey by positively impacting the lives of people throughout the region in the areas of education, income, and health. For more information about United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey visit www.UnitedForImpact.org.

SOURCE United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey