Everyday Heroes Live United Campaign Kicks Off With a Party

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Capt. United (aka Vice Provost Javier Reyes)

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas Everyday Heroes Live United campaign officially kicks off at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1 with a party in the Arkansas Union Connections Lounge. The entire campus community is invited.

The Kick-off party will include refreshments, booths set up by 15 of the agencies supported by the United Way of Northwest Arkansas and a photo booth where people can don masks and capes to become Everyday Heroes. Costumes are welcome.

“Our plan is to make this the most active, most personal campaign in the 80 years the U of A has been supporting the United Way,” said Kathy Deck, co-chair of the Everyday Heroes Live United Campaign. “The Everyday Heroes theme is a chance for everyone to have some fun – but it’s also a serious statement about the impact of a donation to the United Way of Northwest Arkansas – it makes a difference in people’s lives Every Day.”

The campaign goal is to raise $150,000, all within the month of October.

“This will be a brief, intensive campaign, and we are working hard to engage people on campus directly,” said Marty Matlock, campaign co-chair. “We have a great group of volunteers, and they will be distributing campaign cards to every faculty and staff member on campus, starting Oct. 1. People have told us they missed that direct reminder, and we want them to know we are listening.”

The cards will serve a dual purpose: to keep track of campus participation, and to become eligible to win a $100 gift card. Donations can still be made online, or with the card, but people can also use their card to let the campaign know of other ways they contribute to the United Way – through volunteer work, for example, or even through their jobs. Everyone who returns an envelope is eligible for one of three drawings for a gift card during the month of October.

“The enthusiasm of our campus coordinators and our Hero Volunteers is really inspiring,” said Debbie McLoud, campaign coordinator. “They are going to be the key to our success this year, getting the message out across every division, department and unit on campus, letting people know how easy, and how much fun it is to be an Everyday Hero.” 

More information about the campaign and how you can become an Everyday Hero is available at unitedway.uark.edu or www.unitedwaynwa.org.