“When people think about United Way usually the first thing that comes to mind is fundraising,“ said United Way of Greater Chattanooga President and CEO, Lesley Scearce. "But we are more than that, we are mobilizers, working to spark people to take action to help solve our communities most significant problems.“
Problems are something the United Way has been talking a lot about in recent weeks, something Mr. Scearce says is markely different for them, "Chattanooga has made so much progress to improve our urban core, improve community spaces, and transform ourselves into a hub for innovation. However, we have to make sure we don’t leave any group of people behind. For example, 1 in 4 Chattanoogans will live in poverty for their entire lives. That’s significant and something we can take lying down. We have families who are in the fight of their lives and we have to join them in that."
Joining the fight is exactly what United Way will ask people to do at their Kickoff Luncheon on Thursday from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Chattanooga Trade and Convention Center. "I am so excited about this event,“ said Campaign Chair Edna Varner. "I have been so impressed with what the United Way is doing. In my role as campaign chair I really want us to focus on the impact those individual investments are having on our community. When people ask me what the goal is, I tell them it’s for us all to live united against our biggest problems by joining the fight for education, stability, and support.“
The United Way of Greater Chattanooga is expecting over 800 attendees for the kickoff luncheon and is open to the public. To find out more about the Chattanooga Kickoff or how to join the fight, visit their website at
www.unitedwaycha.org, or contact United Way of Greater Chattanooga’s Director of Impact Engagement Donna L. Harrison at 423-752-0300.