United Way in Cobb County begins 2007 campaign efforts with the first community kickoff at Las Colinas soccer field on Tuesday, September 18 at 4:30 p.m. The kickoff will highlight the United Way work in Cobb County and announce the 2007 campaign goal.

Cobb County executives will participate in a soccer shoot-out with children in the Soccer in the Streets program.

It is not very often when you hear people cheer for a missed goal, but on September 18 at the Las Colinas Apartment complex, the crowd will be cheering each time a Cobb County company executive misses a shot on goal.

The soccer shoot-out, sponsored by Graphic Packaging and Waffle House, will leverage money for programs like Soccer in the Streets by giving a monetary donation for each goal scored, or saved, by Soccer in the Streets kids. This event will provide an opportunity for corporate partners, community leaders, individuals and government officials to come together to see the community impact work of United Way.

Last year’s Cobb County campaign raised more than $8.75 million. United Way will invest campaign proceeds in programs and services that make a measurable impact on ending chronic homelessness, ensuring children start school ready to succeed, and other key community issues.

Soccer in the Streets on Franklin Road was established through the partnership of United Way in Cobb County, Soccer in the Streets organization, Franklin Road Weed and Seed program and the Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation. The program has joined with the Marietta City Police department’s new Police Athletic League and is providing soccer, educational and life skills for at-risk children. Soccer in the Streets revitalized two soccer fields for children in the area to have a place to play soccer.