August 16: UW Kicks Off Campaign at Trade Center Luncheon
Keynote Speaker Ostroske Tells of Katrina Recovery Efforts.

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

United Way Kicks Off Three-Ring Campaign Celebration

CHATTANOOGA, TN ? What do New Orleans and carnivals have to do with the United Way of Greater Chattanooga and the 86^th annual community campaign? Quite a bit more than you would expect.

On Thursday, August 23, the United Way of Greater Chattanooga will kick off its 86^th annual Community Campaign at a noon luncheon. Later that day it will host a community carnival kickoff at the First Tennessee Pavilion from 5 to 7 p.m.

With the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina approaching, the luncheon keynote speaker Gary Ostroske, CEO of the United Way of the Greater New Orleans Area, will give a first-hand account of the progress his city is making on the road to recovery. Rebuilding after the 2005 hurricane is still a work in progress.

?It has been slow,? Ostroske said, ?but thanks to communities like Chattanooga that jumped in to help, we are definitely making a comeback.

Hundreds of community leaders and representatives from area companies will attend the meeting, which is jointly hosted by the Chattanooga Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs every year.

?The United Way is honored by the annual joint effort of these two organizations,? said Eva Dillard, local United Way President and CEO. ?We are always grateful for their continued generosity.?

This year's kickoff, presided over by the new 2007 campaign chairman Mike Butler, begins at noon at the Chattanooga Convention and Trade Center. To date, corporate sponsors for the luncheon include: First Tennessee, Henderson, Hutcherson & McCullough, Tennessee American Water Company, Hazlett, Lewis & Bieter, Olan Mills, Unum, Coca Cola, Joseph Decosimo & Co., Komatsu America Corporation and W.R. Grace.

Mr. Butler, CEO and President of SunTrust Bank, is no stranger to the center ring. He's also a former circus performer, which gave him the idea for the organization's new kickoff event ? a three-ring community carnival for families. In addition to the Alhambra Shrine clowns, the Southern Adventist Gym Masters, jugglers, face painting, costumed characters, zoo animals and children's activities, the carnival will also feature a center stage performance by Mr. Butler. He juggled, performed on a teeter board and walked a high wire when he performed with Florida State University's Flying High Circus.

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 have encouraged him to believe that the campaign is in good shape and the 2007 goal is within the organization's grasp.

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 or visit www.uwchatt.org.

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