You are receiving this newsletter because you are a member of the United Way Cole Society.
United Way Cole Society donors contribute $1,000–$9,999 annually to United Way of Metropolitan
Atlanta and are critical to achieving lasting impact in our community.
Thank you for your commitment to improving the quality of life in our community through your personal leadership
and philanthropic involvement.
In this edition
Be a kid again: Field Day at Carrie Steele-Pitts
Pack up your friends and family for our Cole Society Field Day at Carrie Steele-Pitts Home on Saturday, May 3.
Volunteers are needed to help us organize various field day events and coordinate a morning full of fun for
the children. Family members are welcome to volunteer AND participate in the activities. To sign up for this volunteer project,
click here.
Click here to learn more about the Carrie Steele-Pitts home, one of United
Way's community partners.
United Way surpasses goal to raise $81.2 million
On February 12, Mike Garrett, president and CEO of Georgia Power and the 2007 United Way campaign chair, announced
that United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta had surpassed our annual campaign goal, raising $81 million for the
community. Thanks to your generosity, and that of thousands of other community leaders we raised $81,209,188 for
our neighbors in need.
With our annual campaign behind us, more than 300 trained community volunteers will now set
out to invest this money in programs that will produce measurable results. In the coming months, these volunteers
will visit approximately 350 grantee sites in order to make informed funding decisions. Click
here to learn more about the investment process.
Want to learn more about other Cole Society members?
Please help all of us remember why our personal gifts are critical to our community and our neighbors. Beginning
with our August newsletter you will be able to read about other Cole Society members in the city and hear why
they give to United Way at the leadership level.
If you would like to be featured in our Member Spotlight please contact Megan Mervar at
mmervar@unitedwayatlanta.org. Participating members will be
interviewed by a United Way staff person or volunteer and your answers, along with a picture, will be shared
with other Cole members through the quarterly newsletter.
Cole Society survey
Help us to better plan our Cole Society activities by understanding a little more about you. Please click
here to take a quick online survey.
Information gathered will be used to guide the direction of the Cole Society going forward. Individuals who submit their
contact information will be eligible to win a $50 gift card to be awarded on April 1.
United Way 2-1-1 offers help and hope to members of the community
When Parnesia Duckworth's business started to go under, she found herself struggling to take care of herself and her
son. Then she called 2-1-1.
Parnesia came to Atlanta from Seattle in September 2002. In August 2004, when an attempt at running her own
business started to go under, she found herself struggling to take care of herself and her then seven-year-old son.
A woman who heard Parnesia's story told her about United Way 2-1-1. When she dialed 2-1-1, the call agent referred
her to Samaritans Together of Henry County, which provides financial assistance to Henry County residents at or
below the poverty level. The staff at Samaritans Together located the resources to pay Parnesia's electric bill.
Two years later, in October 2006, Parnesia was let go from her job in Stockbridge. She immediately called Samaritans
Together again. This time, the staff quickly arranged funding to help her keep the gas on.
Today, Parnesia is a massage therapy instructor at Everest Institute (formerly Georgia Medical Institute). "I am
fortunate to have had Samaritans help me along," she states. "Every little bit lifts you up." On the wall in her
office is a poster that offers simple instructions for stress relief. Just dial 2-1-1.
To learn more about United Way 2-1-1 or to give or receive help click
here or dial 2-1-1 from any land line within
the 13–county metro area.
Upcoming events
United Way Golf Tournament
Monday, April 28 at the Golf Club of Georgia
Register online for the golf tournament.
Cole Society Field Day
Saturday, May 3
8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Carrie Steele-Pitts Home
Click here to R.S.V.P.
United Way Cole Society affinity groups
The United Way Cole Society brings community leaders together through giving and philanthropic opportunities.
United Way Cole Society members are also included in two affinity groups,
United Way African American Partnership and
United Way Women's Legacy. Both groups support
strategic initiatives and provide ongoing opportunities for members to engage in philanthropic activities.
Click on the links above to learn more about each!
Have you moved or has your contact information changed?
We want to keep in touch with you! Please take a moment and fill out our
web form so we will have your current contact information.
If you have any questions about the United Way Cole Society,
please contact Megan Mervar at 404.527.3584 or mmervar@unitedwayatlanta.org.
Thank you for your continued support of United Way.
