The trumpets will blare and the drums will rata-tat-tat on Homewood campus this week. Those who hear the call will be beckoned to march to Shriver Hall and help kick off the 1999 Johns Hopkins University United Way Campaign.

The annual kick-off event will begin at noon on Thursday, Sept. 23.

The musical fanfare will be provided by the 20-member jazz band of the Paul Laurence Dunbar Sr. High School, which will perform as people enter Shriver Hall. The Sirens, a Homewood student a cappella group, will perform a song at the close of the ceremonies related to this year's campaign theme, "Be Someone's Hero."

The event will feature presentations from television reporter Kai Jackson and from Audrey Smith, vice president of human resources and chair of the university's United Way Campaign. Jackson, a Maryland native, is the co-anchor of WJZ-TV's 5 p.m. newscast.

Also, an excerpt from a United Way film that highlights the uplifting story of Antonio Wright, a young man who has benefited greatly from United Way affiliated agencies, will be shown.

Judy Peregoff, director of Faculty, Staff and Retiree Programs, says Wright's story is one that emphasizes United Way's role in building the work force.

"We felt it was really important that Hopkins, being one of the largest employers in the state, illustrate the role the United Way can play in helping individuals find a spot in the work force," Peregoff says. "But this event is also about being aware that the United Way campaign is under way and that everyone's contributions can make a difference. Sometimes just one thing people hear or see during the kick-off event can really change their minds about contributing."

Those who attend the event will receive a voucher that they can cash in on the green in front of Shriver Hall for some hot dogs, chips and soda.