[Alexandria, VA] – Go around the world in 21 hours. As part of the sixth-annual Day of Action, United Way teams up with Google to present The 21, a twenty-one hour live webcast featuring celebrities, athletes and everyday heroes who are helping students succeed.
The program kicks off June 21 at 3:00 am ET, live from Sasolburg, South Africa with stops in United Way communities from Paris, France to Isla Margarita, Venezuela to Chicago, Illinois.
The first-of-its-kind event features the NFL’s Roberto Garza and Glover Quin, WNBA superstar Maya Moore, producers from Soul Pancake (the new media company behind viral video sensation “Kid President”), United Way Worldwide CEO and President Brian Gallagher, and education advocates like Huffington Post’s Angela Maiers.
United Way will host a modern-age telethon utilizing the newest in Google technologies including Google+ Hangouts on Air, its free, multiway video chat product. But instead of asking for donations, United Way is recruiting volunteer readers, tutors and mentors.
“By partnering with a leader in technology, we are evolving the way we not only reach communities worldwide, but also how we interact with them,” says Brian Gallagher, CEO and President, United Way Worldwide.
Viewers can tune into a one-hour segment or all 21 hours with themes that range from a behind-the-scenes look at documentary film “American Promise” with its filmmakers to a discussion with student leaders who participated in Alternative Spring Break, featured on MTV.
Tune in to The 21 this Friday, starting at 3:00 am ET, learn what it means to LIVE UNITED, and become a part of the United Way movement.
For the latest updates, and to view the full programming schedule and sign up to join the event, visit www.unitedway.org/the21.
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About United Way
United Way is a worldwide movement of nearly 1,800 community-based United Ways in 41 countries and territories. It advances the common good by focusing on education, income and health – the building blocks for a good quality life. The United Way movement mobilizes millions to action – to give, advocate and volunteer – to improve conditions in their local community. For more information about United Way, please visit: UnitedWay.org.