By Saba Long
As much as we tout the successes of our numerous Fortune-ranked businesses, organizations such as the United Way of Greater Atlanta oft remind us the great work is to lead a life of purpose.
Metro Atlantans are no strangers to service and women in particular are driving charitable change in the region.
Just before Mother’s Day, Atlanta’s United Way presented its third annual “Leading a Life of Purpose” women in philanthropy discussion. Moderated by Terri Theisen, the roundtable included U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates and Lovette Russell of Coxe Curry & Associates and wife of business power broker Michael Russell. The DeKalb Chamber’s Katerina Taylor, also chair of the United Way’s young professionals’ committee, participated in place of retired Novelis CEO Martha Brooks.
The women shared personal narratives of how they have interlaced their professional careers with their philanthropic interests.
Also at the event, the United Way of Greater Atlanta launched “Silence the Growl,” a timely 30-day, $30,000 fundraising campaign to feed thousands of metro area children over the summer months. During the school year, these students receive a free or reduced lunches and meals, and for many, school meals are their only food options.
If fully funded using the Uruut crowdsourcing platform, this campaign will provide 12,000 meals. A five-dollar donation provides two children with meals for a day; a generous $250 contribution will feed two children for the entire summer.
This campaign should be funded in no time with the cost of impact being far less than most of us spend on one meal. Child hunger has negative bearings on behavior and mental and physical growth.
Spread the word and donate today to silence the growl.
