Calling All Everyday Heroes: Live United Campaign in Final Week

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Who are those Everyday Heroes?

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The U of A Everyday Heroes Live United campaign has so far raised nearly $104,000 to help the people supported by the United Way of Northwest Arkansas. The campaign is at 72 percent of its goal, with one final week of fundraising to go. Friday, Oct. 31 is the last day of the month-long fundraiser.

“There are still thousands of Hero Cards out there on campus,” said Marty Matlock, co-chair of the campaign. “This week our campaign coordinators in each college and division will be working hard to contact the faculty and staff members who have been waiting until the last minute to get their cards in.”

“We are hoping for a final surge of contributions to push us over the top,” said Kathy Deck, campaign co-chair. “And we mean it when we say no donation is too small. But whether a person donates money or not, we know there are many other ways to contribute to the local community, and we want to count all of our Everyday Heroes’ participation.”

Last Tuesday Global Campus staff members got into the spirit of things, putting together a Super Fun Day that raised $600 for the Everyday Heroes Live United Campaign. Event proceeds were in addition to individual staff contributions from Hero Cards.

Staff made donations so they could wear jeans for the day, while Chartwell’s, a Walmart Supercenter, a Walmart Neighborhood Market and assorted staff members all donated food and drinks to provide a $4 Super Hero Lunch for all comers.

Local businesses also donated items like gift certificates, T-shirts, jewelry, and chair massages for a silent auction, with a few Global Campus staffers contributing some of their own treasures as well. Active Life, David Adams Jewelry, Dripping Springs, Four Seasons Cleaners, Fresco Café, Jammin Java, The Mustache, Petra Café, RiffRaff, Shindig Paperie, and Wellness Professionals Inc., all helped make the auction a huge success.

Adding to the Super Fun, Christina Meeks, donor coordinator for the United Way of NWA brought a superhero backdrop banner, props and a camera, while Cheap Thrills in Fayetteville and Costumes and Hand-Me-Downs in Prairie Grove loaned a Darth Vader costume and superhero outfits.

“We wanted this year’s campaign to be fun, as well as an easy opportunity for faculty and staff on campus to support the United Way and the people of Northwest Arkansas,” said Debbie McLoud, campus coordinator for the campaign. “Before the week is over we hope everyone gets into the spirit of Everyday Heroes the way so many of their friends and colleagues have.