Community Invited to United Way Carnival on August 23

CONTACT: Kelley Nave at 423-752-0322 (O) or 423-304-3579 (C)
RELEASE: Upon Receipt

United Way Invites Community to New Kickoff Carnival
at First Tennessee Pavilion on August 23

CHATTANOOGA, TN ? SunTrust CEO Mike Butler has extended a public invitation to Chattanooga area residents to join the United Way of Greater Chattanooga at its community kickoff carnival on Thursday, August 23, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the First Tennessee pavilion. This circus-themed carnival for the 2007 community fund-raising campaign is the first time the local United Way has held such a large kickoff event for the community.

Mr. Butler is the 2007 United Way Campaign Chairman and ?ringmaster? of this unique event. No stranger to the center ring, he is also a former circus performer. This background gave him the idea for the United Way's 2007 campaign kickoff theme ? a three-ring carnival for families.

?In the past we?ve held morning events at Northgate Mall from 5 to 7 a.m. as part of our public campaign kickoff activities,? said Mr. Butler. ?It was open to the public, but mostly staff and volunteers from our partner agencies attended. This year, we decided to adopt a carnival/circus theme and hold an afternoon kickoff that's open to the community.

The carnival will feature performances by the Alhambra Shrine clowns, the Southern Adventist Gym Masters, a unicyclist, face painting for children, carousel animals, a moon walk, visits from area costumed characters, food from local vendors along with popcorn and cotton candy, free book giveaways, arts and crafts, a petting zoo courtesy of the Chattanooga Zoo and children's games and activities from more than a dozen local agencies.

However, the highlight of the evening will be a 6 p.m. center ?ring? performance by Mr. Butler and company. He juggled, performed on a teeter board and walked a high wire when he performed with Florida State University's Flying High Circus ? but the evening's performance he is planning on August 23 will be a pleasant surprise for everyone.

Last year's campaign for the United Way of Greater Chattanooga raised $11.67 million. But Mr. Butler has already proven he can juggle more than banks and bowling pins. He realizes he has a high bar to reach, but his initial calls to area CEOs encourage him to believe that the 2007 goal is within the organization's grasp. This year's goals center on three rings, with a different goal ? $11.5, $11.7 or $11.9 million ? in each ring. The three rings are symbolic of United Way's three impact areas: Investing in Children, Building Stable Lives and Supporting our Most Vulnerable.

United Way of Greater Chattanooga funds local programs that create opportunities for people to care for themselves and each other, making our community the best at helping people achieve their potential. Thanks to an endowment fund that covers all overhead and administrative expenses, all contributions (100 percent) go directly to services that help individuals and families in greater Chattanooga, north Georgia and northeast Alabama.

Call the United Way at 423-752-0300 for more information.

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