Charlotte, N.C. - September 3, 2008- United Way of Central Carolinas will kick off its volunteer driven “Season of Caring” and officially begin its fundraising campaign on Friday, Sept. 5th at the Pathway Preschool Center at 1131 Eastway Drive in Charlotte.  The event begins at 8:00 am.

Charlotte, N.C. - September 3, 2008- United Way of Central Carolinas will kick off its volunteer driven “Season of Caring” and officially begin its fundraising campaign on Friday, Sept. 5th at the Pathway Preschool Center at 1131 Eastway Drive in Charlotte.  The event begins at 8:00 am.

United Way of Central Carolinas will also officially begin its fundraising campaign.  This year, the organization is being sensitive to the current economic conditions and environment, and is not setting a monetary goal.  Instead, it will work to rebuild trust in United Way and  focus its efforts entirely on meeting the growing needs of its 91 member agencies.  This decision is not unprecedented; the organization did not set a goal in 1994.

Examples of some of our areas most pressing unmet needs include:

• An estimated 2,300 children in Charlotte/Mecklenburg County are homeless
• 12% of Mecklenburg county lives in poverty
• High School drop-out rates for our five county service area rose 9.3% in 2007

United Way of Central Carolinas raised $45.3 million dollars last year.  It has been serving the community for 77 years.