Media personalities and community leaders will flip flapjacks for United Way Services' 2003 Campaign Kick-off and Pancake Flip, 7 - 10:30 a.m., September 4 at Public Square; 2003 United Way Campaign goal to be announced

(Cleveland, Ohio) August 24, 2003
They may bring you the news on air, or lead one of Cleveland's largest corporations, but can they flip good flapjacks? Come on down to the Southwest Quadrant of Public Square from 7:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. for United Way's 2003 Campaign Kick-off & Pancake Flip, called Greater Cleveland's greatest "power breakfast." Beginning at 7:00 a.m., media representatives and corporate and civic leaders will demonstrate their skills at flipping pancakes as they help make the fluffiest flapjacks this side of the Mississippi. Breakfasts are $3.99 and include pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee. Proceeds benefit United Way's 186 programs at nearly 130 partner agencies and other activities, including the Community Vision Council and public/private partnerships for an improved community agenda.

Breakfasts will be delivered DOWNTOWN only with advanced orders placed by Wednesday, September 3, 2003 at (216) 436-2121 or faxed to (216) 436-2257. Minimum order for delivery is five, not to exceed 15 breakfasts per time slot. Be sure to specify office location and contact person. Payment by cash or check must be made at the time of delivery. No credit cards may be used.

Campaign chair Alexander M. "Sandy" Cutler, chairman and CEO of Eaton Corporation, will take a break from the griddles at 8:00 a.m. to officially kick off the 2003 Campaign with a brief program and announcement of the challenging goal. He already has stated his intention to increase employee participation and leadership giving each by five percent, increase the Pacesetter Campaign by 50 percent and engage 500 new companies. Joining him will be K. Michael Benz, president and CEO of United Way Services.

"The goal will be the final piece of the puzzle," said Cutler. "We raised $44.4 million in 2002, but it is not enough. We saw unemployment reach almost 6.3 percent in May, and our own First Call For Help responded to more than 90,000 requests last year for everything from food and shelter to alcohol and drug abuse counseling to day care and hospice services. United Way serves more than 400,000 people annually. None of us knows when we, or someone we love, might be the person in need. It really is up to us each of us to make a difference for our own community." For those who come to Public Square, rain or shine, tables and chairs will be available in the large tent for relaxing and enjoying pancakes on site. Breakfasts may be ordered to go. The Wills and Coleman Show from Clear Channel Radio's WTAM 1100 will broadcast the morning show live, and the WDOK-Fifth Third Bank $102,000 Mega Money Machine will be on site to make participants winners with every turn.

Sponsors are Northern Haserot, Eaton Corporation, Renaissance Cleveland Hotel, Foote Printing, cleveland.com and Verizon Wireless.

For further information, contact Michelle Carver at (216) 436-2121 or mcarver@uws.org.