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Press Release

United Way Leaders Take to Capitol Hill in Effort to Reopen Government

[Alexandria, Va. October 11, 2013] – On Wednesday, representatives from United Ways across the country gathered in Washington, D.C., to advocate on behalf of our nation’s most vulnerable children and families. Fifty state and local United Ways met with their congressional delegations to relay their message that leaders in Washington must reopen the government and invest in programs that support communities in need.

“The ripple effects of the shutdown are already being felt in the communities we serve,” said Stacey D. Stewart, U.S. President, United Way Worldwide. “We cannot postpone care that children, families and our veterans need. It takes all of us -- nonprofits, business and government -- working together to get the job done.”

United Way is the largest privately funded public charity in the United States and the largest non-government funder of human services. United Way staff and volunteers shared the impact the government shutdown is having on their local communities, closing rural housing programs, halting public health activities.

United Way also called on Congress to adequately fund critical education, income and health programs in fiscal year 2014 appropriations; preserve the charitable tax deduction; and strengthen the earned income tax credit and the child tax credit. These investments and services are vital to communities across the country in building and maintaining the foundation of our society.

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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.