United Way stepped outside the box and kicked off its 2013 workplace campaign yesterday with a live web broadcast showcasing how the nonprofit is working to improve lives across their 13-county region. The live stream event, hosted by IBM and Pat Falotico – vice president for Global Sales Center Transformation and United Way’s campaign chair, was viewed by more than 400 individuals and announced a 2013 campaign goal of $75 million. Milton Little, United Way’s president and CEO said, “United Way is committed to establishing a strong presence in the digital space. As technology plays an increasingly important role in our lives, we are working to extend our reach and engage more people by connecting with them where they live. We are grateful to IBM for its longstanding partnership and commitment to United Way and for the necessary tools to make yesterday’s virtual experience possible.” 

The 30-minute webcast, which highlighted United Way’s work in education, income, health and homelessness, opened with a video message from Atlanta’s own CeeLo Green and included a panel moderated by WABE’s Charles Edwards. The program featured individuals who embodied the tremendous struggles that many of our neighbors are facing but whose hopelessness was transformed to hope through the generosity of thousands of individuals who support United Way. 

Among the beneficiaries were a 73-year-old Gwinnett County woman who has been homeless off and on for more than 20 years. She will move into her own apartment at the end of the month. She was joined by three others: a Douglas County mother seeking to become more involved in her children’s education who is now volunteering at her children’s school and leading two neighborhood teams to assist other kids with their homework on a daily basis; a formerly homeless veteran living in Fulton County who is now pursuing a master’s degree in architecture at Georgia Tech; and a Cherokee County college student who, as a child, was taken from an abusive home environment and grew up in foster care. All, with the support of United Way, are overcoming their challenges and are filled with a sense of possibility about their futures. 

Pat Falotico stated, “Raising $75 million will not only allow United Way to continue to shine a spotlight on the greatest needs of our neighbors in our 13-county region, but those funds also will allow us to make even greater strides toward achieving our organizational goals of a Greater Atlanta where individuals and families thrive. And in the end, when individuals and families thrive, so does our community.” 

The live stream of United Way’s Campaign Kickoff is available and can be viewed at http://www.livestream.com/unitedwayatlanta.