$35 Million Target to Address Growing Community Needs

(Milwaukee, WI – September 4, 2003) United Way of Greater Milwaukee announced today that they have set a goal of $35,026,000 for the 2003 Community Campaign. The $35 million goal represents a 3% increase over last year's highly successful campaign, which raised $34 million.

The 2003 United Way Community Campaign is chaired by Curt Culver, president and CEO of MGIC Investment Corporation, Sue Ela, R.N., senior clinical vice president, Aurora Health Care and Les Muma, president and CEO of Fiserv, Inc. Culver, Ela and Muma have recruited a volunteer cabinet of more than 60 leaders from business, education, health care, non-profit, labor and retail to lead the campaign. Over 30 Loaned Executives, representing or sponsored by area companies, have also been recruited to make initial calls to local companies seeking support. Loaned Executives are key to the Community Campaign, handling more than 1400 workplace giving accounts in Greater Milwaukee.

Culver, Ela and Muma were joined by members of the Silver Spring Spartans track team during kick- off festivities held on the new playground at the Silver Spring Neighborhood Center, a United Way member agency. Track team members unveiled the Community Campaign goal through a symbolic "Sprint to the Finish" which represented the community spirit and team work needed to reach the $35 million goal. The team was cheered on by local sports and entertainment mascots, business leaders, and members of the community.

"United Way's mission is to improve the quality of life in this community, today and in the future. The strength of our community depends on the strength of our United Way. The strength of our United Way depends on all of us," said Muma.

Culver agreed by saying, "We have set our expectations high, considering the tough economy, because there is a proven need for health and human services. The future of our business sector relies on a stable, healthy and employable work force. That is one more reason for us to support our United Way."

"I see firsthand the positive impact that United Way has in our community every day," said Ela, who is also president of the Visiting Nurse Association of Wisconsin, a United Way member agency. "United Way bridges all sectors of the community to support and strengthen families, promote economic self-sufficiency, meet basic needs, help children and youth succeed and build healthier neighborhoods and communities."

Sue Dragisic, president of United Way of Greater Milwaukee commented on the depth and breadth of United Way's impact on the Greater Milwaukee community by saying, "Last year, United Way funded programs served nearly 300,000 people living in more than 75 different zip codes."

The 2003 United Way Community Campaign will boost fundraising efforts with several challenge grants. Cobalt, a leading supporter of the United Way of Greater Milwaukee, will contribute to the 2003 United Way Community Campaign in the form of a challenge grant. The Cobalt Small & Medium Business Challenge will be used to stimulate new and increased corporate gifts from small and medium business. The Aurora Health Care Challenge Match will double all gifts to the Healthy Girls project in addition to all new and increased gifts to United Way from Women's Initiative members. The Linda T. and John A. Mellowes Safety Net Challenge will match new and increased gifts from De Tocqueville Society members to United Way's Community Impact Fund. De Tocqueville Society members contribute at the $10,000 or greater level.

In addition to the Community Campaign, United Way's Day of Caring Week, September 8 through 12, will emphasize how local residents can give back to their community. Nearly 1200 volunteers will participate in110 projects and 50 supply drives to benefit more than 75 area nonprofit agencies. Day of Caring Week is made possible through the generosity of United Way's community partner, Aurora Health Care.

United Way of Greater Milwaukee raises funds in the Community Campaign for over 150 health and human service programs operated by more than 80 local nonprofit organizations. Programs that receive funding from United Way must provide evidence that program efforts had an impact on their clients. In addition, more than $1 million is distributed to United Way in Waukesha County for their volunteers to allocate to local programs.

The 2003 United Way Community Campaign will run through December 9. For more information on the 2003 United Way Community Campaign, please call 414.263.8100