In today's world, handprints signify good things: friendship, family, childhood, hard work, and community. The handprint also symbolizes the High Five-a sign that we're on the same team or of a common mind.
 
Last Wednesday, from tiny handprints to large ones, Jacksonville citizens literally gave their personal High Fives to create a unique art mural in Hemming Plaza at Downtown Vision's Art Walk. Adults, youth, and children of all ages participated by making their mark with their brightly colored handprints on United Way's 20-foot-wide Give 5 mural representing the Give 5 Campaign.
 
The Give 5 Campaign is an internet-based social media appeal designed to connect with a broader audience of potential donors, especially those in their 20s and 30s. Give 5 encourages people to donate $5 to United Way and to tell five friends to do the same.
 
Atlantic Circle volunteers (United Way's young professionals group) provided direction and assistance to the nearly 200 guests who came through United Way's Give 5 booth in a show of support for neighbors in need. While guests gathered at the mural, others made donations to the Give 5 Campaign on the spot.
 
As a special incentive and thank-you, participants were invited to enter a drawing to win an official NFL football autographed by Maurice Jones-Drew. There was also a photo booth where guests posed in a LIVE UNITED t-shirt against a Give 5 backdrop.

Asking a lot of people, especially new givers, to give a little will make a big impact. And thanks to the generous match by Delores Barr and J. Wayne Weaver, the impact of new donors' gifts will be doubled.
 
As the tough economy has pushed many people to the brink of financial disaster, the Give 5 Campaign is needed now more than ever before to ensure critical resources for families with young children-struggling to keep the rent paid, the power on and the refrigerator stocked.
  
The Give 5 Campaign runs through December. Visit the link: Give5Live.org to make your gift and tell 5 friends.