United Way of the Lower Mainland Launches 2012 Campaign to Raise $29,555,000

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Sept. 12, 2012) -

Editors note: There is a photo associated with this release.

United Way of the Lower Mainland has launched their massive annual fundraising campaign - which this year aims to raise $29,555,000 - at a Kick-off event at Jack Poole Plaza, Vancouver Convention centre.

Billed as one of the Lower Mainland's biggest community celebrations, the United Way Kick-event is the start of one of the Lower Mainland's biggest fundraising campaigns to combat childhood poverty, bullying and seniors' social isolation.

United Way supports 23 municipalities across the Lower Mainland from Pemberton to Langley and has more than 80 years experience in building a healthy, caring and inclusive community. Each year United Way donors and supporters help deliver 160 services and more than 500 programs to fight poverty, bullying and social isolation in communities.

The launch event included fabulous food, live music, street performers, the proclamation of United Way Day by Vancouver Deputy Mayor Adriane Carr, the Lower Mainland's biggest and loudest cheer, the PwC team cheer video contest and fun contests to win BC Lions memorabilia. Guest could also "Tweet for a Treat" ie Tweet the single word that illustrates what community means to them to earn a special United Way cookie. Another way of earning a special cookie was to share that single word for all to see by attaching it to the United Way of the Lower Mainland community map on display.

To end, everyone shared in the warm glow of the Olympic cauldron being lit, as United Way's campaign officially got underway.

For more information http://www.uwlm.ca/kickoff. Follow us at @uwlm and use #uwkickoff.

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