GREATER TWIN CITIES UNITED WAY LIVE UNITED with PRIDE Campaign

United Way Arise Project Give OUT Day Challenge Results

Online Contest Begins Today

Minneapolis (May 10, 2013) --- Greater Twin Cities United Way launched their LIVE UNITED with PRIDE Campaign yesterday on the first national Give OUT Day. United Way Arise Project hosted a one-day competition challenging local celebrities and community supporters (OUTrepreneurs) to raise donations for Arise Project programs that focus on helping to end youth homelessness in the local community. Greater Twin Cities United Way was the only United Way in the nation to participate in Give OUT Day. It ranked number two for the most unique donors on a national level and most unique donors on a national level of all nonprofits participating.

The top OUTrepreneur for United Way Arise Projects Give OUT Day Challenge fundraising was Mike Augustyniak, WCCO-TV meteorologist, raising a total of $3,508 in donations. Challenge fundraising goals were achieved by all other OUTrepreneurs: Justin Jones, Columnist, Lavender Magazine ($3,290); Kathy Hollenhorst, Arise Project member, SVP Marketing, United Way ($3,250); Charlie Kerl, Arise Project member, Morgan Stanley ($2,205); Sasha Andreev, actor and TV host ($1,916); and Mike Marcotte, producer for KSTP TVs Twin Cities Live ($1,523).

Fundraising efforts for the Give OUT Day Challenge reached $22,372, surpassing United Way Arise Projects goal of $15,000 to support youth that are homeless. In addition, last night at the LIVE UNITED with PRIDE Campaign launch event, OUTrepreneurs and volunteers assembled 150 care packages for local homeless youth that will be donated to current Arise Project programs: Avenues for Homeless Youth, The Bridge for Youth, and YouthLink.

United Way Arise Project will continue to raise awareness and donations for the LIVE UNITED with PRIDE Campaign through a five-week online contest beginning today, May 10, through June 13. Greater Twin Cities United Way encourages the public to learn more about the LGBT community, share their pride and enter for a chance to win weekly prizes*, such as Joia Soda for one year and Minnesota Lynx game tickets. The grand prize will be a VIP package* for the Twin Cities Pride weekend, June 28-30, including a stay at Graves 601 Hotel. Contest entries may be submitted every Friday through Thursday, from which one winner will be randomly selected each Friday morning. Those wanting to enter the weekly contests should go to unitedwaytwincities.org/pride.

A LIVE UNITED with PRIDE celebration event will then be held on Sunday, June 30 from 10 a.m. 1 p.m. at Rosa Mexicano (609 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis) during the Twin Cities Pride Festival.

United Way Arise Project is focused on addressing the needs of the LGBT community through giving, advocacy and volunteering. With an emphasis on reducing youth homelessness in the Twin Cities, United Way Arise Project works for positive change by increasing the quality of life in the LGBT community.

For details on the LIVE UNITED with PRIDE Campaign and to learn about United Way Arise Project, please visit unitedwaytwincities.org/pride.

Sponsors of United Way Arise Project are 3M and US Bank. The LIVE UNITED with PRIDE Campaign partner is Cargill.

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.Begins 12:00 a.m. CDT on 5/10/13. Ends: 11:59 p.m. CDT on 6/13/13. Open to Minnesota residents, who are 18 years or older. Void where prohibited. Subject to Official Rules at unitedwaytwincities.org/pride.

About Greater Twin Cities United Way: Greater Twin Cities United Way addresses our communitys most critical issues by focusing on three key areas: Basic Needs, Education and Health. We attack poverty on multiple, interconnected fronts to achieve lasting change through 10 measurable goals by collaborating with business, government and nonprofit organizations to create solutions and carry out our call to action to LIVE UNITED by encouraging everyone to Give. Advocate. Volunteer. United Way serves people living in or near poverty in nine counties: Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott and western Washington. Join the movement. LIVE UNITED. For more information, visit www.unitedwaytwincities.org or call 612-340-7400.

About Give OUT Day: Give OUT Day was a new national initiative raising awareness of LGBT nonprofits and increasing LGBT philanthropy. Give OUT Day engaged hundreds of organizations and mobilized thousands of people on a single day across the country to give in support of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

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