Half Way There - U of A's Everyday Heroes Responding to Live United Campaign

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas Everyday Heroes Live United campaign has reached 52 percent of its goal. After 14 days U of A faculty and staff have contributed more than $77,000 that will go to the agencies and programs supported by the United Way of Northwest Arkansas.

“The response has been amazing,” said campaign co-chair Marty Matlock. “We had hoped to see this many of our faculty and staff stepping forward, and it’s not a surprise to find out we have so many Everyday Heroes on campus – but it is very satisfying.”

Faculty and staff have been turning in their individual Hero Cards to indicate that they made donations online or are making them directly through their card. Either way, faculty and staff have opted to make payroll deductions, asked to be billed, or donated by cash or check.

“Faculty and staff are also using their Hero Cards to let us know that they want to volunteer for the United Way, or that they contribute to the Northwest Arkansas in other ways,” said Kathy Deck, campaign co-chair. “This is something we wanted to hear. We want to be able to count everyone’s participation, and we’re very happy that our campus community heard and understood that message.”

Donations have come in other ways as well: Facilities Management staff members held a bake sale on Oct. 3 that raised more than $500. Other fundraising events are being planned around campus, including a Super Fun Day at the Global Campus on Tuesday, Oct. 21.

The first drawing for $100 gift cards was held Wednesday, Oct. 8, with the winners’ picked from a container full of Hero Cards. The first five winners were: Lavada Walla, administrative specialist I, Admissions Office; Alishia J. Ferguson, associate professor, School of Social Work;

Julie Preddy, project/program specialist, Alumni Office; Betty Fisher, institutional services assistant, Facilities Management; and Brittany D. Massengale, graduate assistant, Graduate Sponsored Student Programs.

The next drawing for five more gift cards will be held Wednesday, Oct. 15.