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United Way Action Day Kickoff Aimed to Help Stock the Lockers and Give Children a Great Start to the School Year

Minneapolis (July 22, 2013) --- Greater Twin Cities United Way is launching a Back to School Campaign to raise money and gather supplies for children so they can have a great start to the school year.

The drive will consist of an online giving component as well as a school supply drive at Mall of America from Aug. 10 to Aug. 14. The Back to School Campaign will coincide with United Ways third annual

Action Day on Aug. 14.

In the Greater Twin Cities, more than 116,000 children live in poverty. These children live in families that are barely able to afford basic needs much less school supplies. The goal of this campaign is to

raise donations, both monetary and physical, for much needed school supply items to make a difference in a childs life by giving them a great start to the school year.

Nearly 50% of children are not ready for kindergarten, and one in six children who arent reading by the end of third grade will not end up graduating high school on time. Heres how the public can help:

Online Giving at www.gtcuw.org/school

Now through Friday, Aug.16

All donations will go to Project for Pride in Living and Keystone Community Services for the purchase of much needed school supplies for children most in need within our community.

School Supply Drive at Mall of America

Saturday, Aug. 10 through Wednesday, Aug. 14 from 10 a.m. 6 p.m. at MOAs Southeast Court

A list of the most needed supplies (backpacks, wide ruled note books, folders, crayons, markers and glue sticks), as well as retailers that carry these supplies at MOA, will be available onsite.

All school supply items will be donated to Project for Pride in Living and Keystone Community Services.

Thursday, Aug. 14, 2013 is United Way Action Day, a celebration to engage and mobilize volunteers to LIVE UNITED and make a significant impact to the areas of need within our community.

The public is invited to participate on United Way Action Day through 15-minute speed volunteering activities over the lunch hour at either US Bank Plaza in Minneapolis or Ecolab Plaza in St. Paul.

Later that day, numerous local companies will unite to celebrate the impact of United Way by participating in Team Challenge Races at Mall of America. Each activity and race will help make a difference

in our community by providing items for those in need.

For more information regarding United Way Action Day please visit www.gtcuw.org/actionday.

About Greater Twin Cities United Way

Greater Twin Cities United Way collaborates with business, government and nonprofit organizations to build pathways out of poverty. We LIVE UNITED to help children succeed, to stabilize families and

empower healthy lives. Join our online discussions at www.unitedfrontmn.org, volunteer at United Way Caring Connection or give online at www.gtcuw.org. Greater Twin Cities United Way serves clients in

Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott and western Washington counties. For more information, go to www.gtcuw.org or call (612) 340-7400.

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Molly Mulvehill Steinke

Senior Media Relations Specialist

Nemer Fieger

952 278 3142 direct

612 309 1677 mobile

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