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Campaign Deadline Approaching
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United Way of Fort Smith Area is proud to recognize the organizations and businesses that support United Way annually with their fundraising campaigns. Awards are distributed at the Annual Wrap-Up Celebration. In order for organizations and businesses to be eligible for the awards, their campaigns must be finalized and reported to United Way by Tuesday, November 5.
This year's event will be held on December 9 at the Holiday Inn City Center in Fort Smith. It will begin at 11:30 am. Lunch will be served. For more information, call 782-1311.
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Loaned Executive Luncheon
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Each year, the United Way staff calls upon the help of numerous volunteers to help with the annual campaign. On October 23, the 2008 Senior Loaned Executives and Loaned Executives gathered at the Hall at Taliano's in Fort Smith . At the luncheon, all volunteers were recognized for their hard work and thanked for their commitment to United Way.
This year, 14 Senior Loaned Executives were selected and asked to recruit teams to call upon accounts throughout the community. Each of the team members or Loaned Executives, delivered packets to businesses and organizations and helped guide them in the overall campaign process. Tom Minton started the luncheon off by greeting all those in attendance and thanking the volunteers for their services.
Susan Grobmyer, 2008 Campaign Chair, expressed her gratitude to all of the teams for taking times out of their schedules to contact companies for the annual drive. Grobmyer also gave an update on the campaign status and commented that during such economically difficult times, everyone's support is needed to help make the campaign a success. Larry Bates, 2008 United Way Board Chair, again thanked the volunteers and encouraged them to follow-up with their accounts.
"Campaign would not be possible without the help of our volunteers," said Minton. "These individuals call upon companies throughout the community and help the United Way staff tremendously. This luncheon is simply one way for us to show our gratitude to them for their hard work."
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Holiday Giving Guide Coming Soon
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You can choose to LIVE UNITED this holiday season by giving back to organizations in need in our community. What better way to spread holiday cheer than by helping an area non-profit? United Way has made it easy for you to know how to get involved. The fourth annual Holiday Giving Guide provides the most comprehensive list of ways to help others this holiday season.
In the guide, you will find an extensive list of materials, supplies and volunteer services needed by the participating organizations. All contact information is provided including address, phone number and contact person. The activities, which are arranged alphabetically by organization name, show the tremendous need for volunteers and resources in our area. When you find an interesting opportunity that fits your schedule, simply call the organization contact to obtain more information. You should contact them as early as possible in the season because the volunteer activities get filled quickly.
The 2008 Holiday Giving Guide is available at:
- United Way office, 320 South 18th Street, Fort Smith
- he non-profit organizations that participated in the guide
- United Way website; www.unitedwayfortsmith.org
For more information, please contact United Way at 782-1311.
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New Website Up and Running
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The United Way of Fort Smith Area Website has had a total makeover. With the new LIVE UNITED theme that was unveiled earlier this year, the Fort Smith organization updated its Website with the new message, impact areas and programs.
Visitors to the site will find new sections in which they can learn more about how to Give, Advocate and Volunteer. The site also focuses on United Way's new impact areas: Education, Income and Health. Individuals can find information on local community impact initiatives including, Stuff the Bus, Community Impact Grants, Day of Caring and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. A link to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Website is included so individuals can easily enroll a child online or sponsor a child on the program.
A complete list of all the community partners of United Way of Fort Smith Area is also available. The list includes details such as agency locations, contact information and each organization's overall mission. All funding opportunities are posted on the site and a link to the United Way grant application is included. United Way of Fort Smith Area's information such as frequently asked questions, local initiatives, contact information and staff e-mails are also posted.
Those seeking campaign tips can scroll through Campaign Central for helpful hints, useful toolkits and information about award-winning United Way fundraising companies. An up-to-date calendar provides the dates and details of all United Way activities and events including leadership opportunities, campaign meetings and community impact projects.
Check it out at www.unitedwayfortsmith.org.
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Currently there are more than 1500 children in Crawford, Franklin, Logan and Sebastian counties who receive books each month through the partnership of Dolly Parton's Imagination LIbrary and United Way of Fort Smith Area.
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| Power of the Purse is successful |
Barbara Hanna, First Lady of Arkansas Ginger Beebe, Jan Beauchamp and Michaela Hill, Mrs. Beebe's Assistant
Thanks to everyone who helped make Power of the Purse, hosted by United Way of Fort Smith Area's Women's Leadership Circle, a resounding success:
- Exclusive Sponsor Bank of the Ozarks and Supporting Sponsors ACC Management, Alpha Packaging, Beall Barclay and Company and Riverside Furniture Company.
- Corporate table sponsors, committee members and businesses and individuals who donated items for the silent auction.
- Media sponsors Clear Channel Radio, Fort Smith Radio Group, KFSM-TV5 and the Southwest Times Record.
- The more than 400 women who attended the event and took part in the silent auction. Thanks to First Lady of Arkansas Ginger Beebe for making time in her busy schedule to attend.
Susan Grobmyer, 2008 United Way Campaign Chair and Emcee for Power of the Purse, and Ronda Rich, speaker
A special thanks goes to Linda and Buddy Spradlin for hosting a reception on Wednesday for speaker, Ronda Rich, committee members and corporate and table sponsors. Your warm hospitality was outstanding.
Because of all that everyone did, more than 430 children in Crawford, Franklin, Logan and Sebastian counties will receive a hardbound, age-appropriate book each month from birth to his/her fifth birthday for a year. Hopefully by building their libraries and their vocabularies, more children will be better prepared to enter kindergarten.
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YLG Families Enjoy Falloween
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The Young Leadership Group hosted its annual Falloween event on Tuesday, October 28 at Creekmore Park in Fort Smith. Several YLG members and their families turned out to enjoy great food and games. Volunteers cooked s'mores, painted children's faces and helped with games such as ring toss and a "mini-cake" walk.
Those in attendance were treated to pizza, drinks and Halloween candy. A fall scene with straw and pumpkins was set up for the kids and families to have their picture taken. Many children showed up dressed as their favorite animal or character. All left with a goody bag of candy, crafts and prizes.
This event could not take place if it were not for the tremendous support of the community. A special thank you to Brian McMahen Photography for donating time and services to take pictures. Another thank you to Creekmore Park and the Fort Smith Parks and Recreation for allowing United Way to use the Community Center for this year's festivities. Also, thank you to Cavanaugh Pizza for helping provide pizza and to Harp's Marketplace for donating drinks for this year's event.
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Upcoming Events |
- November Roundtable - YLG will host its final quarterly Roundtable on Friday, November 7 at Beall-Barclay in Fort Smith . Mike Carroll, United Way Board Member and Allocation Chair will be featured. Lunch will be provided and door prizes will be awarded. All YLG members are invited to attend. Please RSVP by contacting Brittany Ransom at 782-1311 or by e-mail at brittany.litchford@unitedway.org.
- Wrap-up - United Way of Fort Smith Area will host its annual Wrap-Up Event on Tuesday, December 9 at the Holiday Inn City Center in Fort Smith. Numerous campaign awards will be distributed to participating organizations and businesses. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP by Thursday, December 4.
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Give.
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| United Way's annual campaign is the easiest and most powerful way to invest in your community.
United Way addresses the needs important to people who live and work in Crawford, Franklin, LeFlore, Logan, Sebastian and Sequoyah counties. |
Advocate.
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You can make change happen with your voice. Get informed. Tell your friends. United Way needs people passionate about education, income and health to make some noise.
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Volunteer.
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Join hands. Open your heart. Give an hour. Give a Saturday. Think of we before me. Reach out a hand to one and influence the condition of all.
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BE AN ADVOCATE
Forward this eNewsletter
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You can LIVE UNITED by helping us spread the word. Imagine how many people we could reach if everyone forwards this to five people.
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