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Changes to Campaign Celebration
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Historically we have held an end of the campaign celebration breakfast to recognize our volunteers and companies who support the Heart of Arkansas United Way. This year, the nature of the local economy and feedback that we got from the corporate sector led us to believe that a social event was not the optimum recognition method.
Instead, over the coming months our staff will be making personal visits to companies to briefly update them on United Way activities and present any recognition awards to the CEO and/or Campaign Coordinator.
Hopefully we can resume our regular celebration event in the near future. |
2009 United Way Kick Off
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 We will kick-off our annual United Way campaign this year on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock. We will have agency booths with games and information, live entertainment, and a free lunch. We invite everyone to come out to the ballpark and join the fun.
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Agency Spotlight: Helping Hand of Greater Little Rock
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| Helping Hand is one of the oldest and largest non-profit, interfaith food pantries serving people of low income or in crisis. The food distributed monthly to clients is meant to supplement what they receive for food stamps. The Thrift store profits are used to buy food for the pantry.
Helping Hand partners with many churches. Highland Valley United Methodist Church provides layettes for pregnant clients. Christ the King Catholic Church has a monthly food drive called "Moms' Pantry".
Volunteers are the lifeline of Helping Hand. Two paid employees, together with about 100 volunteers, keep the organization running. The courts send volunteers to work off their service hours at Helping Hand. In addition, they work with other agencies that provide interns and volunteers.
Various fundraisers are being held. The next fundraiser is Sunday, June 14, 2009. The Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a spaghetti dinner at St. John's Dining Hall from noon until 5:00 p.m. Cost is $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for children under 10. For more information about this event or Helping Hand please call 501-327-7257.
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| Priorities and Allocations Panels Meet to Review Agencies |
| All five of the Heart of Arkansas Priorities and Allocations Panels recently met to review agency budgets and funding requests for the 2009/2010 funding cycle. At these meetings, the panels prepare recommendations for funding to present to the United Way board at their May meeting.
Each of the five panels address a need in the community. The five panels are Families and Children, Health and Community, Youth Development, Exceptional People and Basic Needs.
Most people do not realize the amount of effort the volunteers put into making these recommendations to the board. Panel members for each panel visit the agencies they are reviewing to develop a clear understanding of the programs and services the agencies are providing the community. They also determine how the agency uses their United Way funding and what community needs the agency addresses. In addition to site visits, the panel members also attend agency board meetings to observe the board and staff working together to solve problems and issues that impact their target population in the community.
Several factors are considered by the panel members in their decision making process:
*The amount of money that is available for allocations raised in the campaign
*The relevance and effectiveness of that agency's programs in meeting current human needs
*The ability of the agency to carry out its mission and programs in an efficient, cost-effective manner
*The organization's financial resources and collaboration with other community agencies and volunteers to address community needs
The panels had $1,786,000 in available allocable dollars out of $4.4 million for the 2009/2010 funding cycle. A substantial amount of funds were designated to various organizations. The board will vote on those recommendations at the June meeting and agencies will then be notified of the amounts they were awarded. Sixteen agencies were reviewed by the panels and will receive funding for the 2009/2010 funding cycle which will begin July 1st.
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Van Buren County Prepares to "Stuff the Bus"
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The Heart of Arkansas United Way and the Van Buren County Advisory Board are preparing to "Stuff the Bus" to benefit the local school districts. "Stuff the Bus" provides new school supplies for children and families in need . Children look forward to arriving to school on the first day with new notebooks, backpacks, lunch boxes and supplies.
It is a different story for children whose families cannot afford to buy these items. "Stuff the Bus" will take place in the Clinton Wal-Mart parking lot from July 31st until August 8th. Watch your local newspaper for drop off times and locations.
Help United Way by making a positive impact on a child's life this coming school year!
You may contact Diane Kidwell for more information.501-376-4567 or dkidwell@heartaruw.org
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Volunteer Opportunities
The First Tee of Central Arkansas: Volunteers are needed to work in the Golf Shop, assist with coaching and help with the teaching of life skills. Call 501-562-4653 for more information.
St. Francis House, Inc.: Volunteers are needed to work in the food pantry and clothing room stocking, to sort and pack boxes. Volunteers are also needed to rock babies and to read to children at the Head Start program. A volunteer receptionist are also needed. Call 501-664-5036 for more information. |
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| Big Brothers Big Sisters |
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Toast and Roast
Make plans to attend this year's Toast and Roast on August 27, 2009 at the Peabody Hotel beginning at 6 p.m.
The reception will have an open bar from 6-7 p.m. Silent and live auctions will be conducted. The dinner and program will begin at 7 p.m.
Can't make it to the event? Support the 6th Annual Bid for Kids' Sake online Auction by bidding online for items donated by area businesses. It starts August 27 at 10 p.m. and ends September 3 at 10 p.m. Go to bbbsca.org for more details.
The 2nd Annual Rock'n Singles in the City Singles Auction is back June 18, 2009 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Rev Room in the Rivermarket. AY Magazine and Alice 107.7 are joining us again for this fun event.
Plan to join us for this fun summer party that raised $15000 for BBBSCA last year.
Men and women from Central Arkansas will be auctioned with some great outings. Come to bid or just enjoy the festivities.
Watch the website to check out all the singles, read their bios, and buy your tickets online. bbbsca.org.
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| Arthritis Foundation
Foam Fest
Help the Arthritis Foundation, Arkansas Chapter take steps toward fighting arthritis, America's number one cause of disability.
Friday, June 26th
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Sample over 75 different beers and wine
Must be over 21 to enter
$25 advance
$22 for 10 or more
$30 Day of
$10 Designated Driver
www.foamfest.org
For more information, contact Amber Garret at 501-664-6272. | |
| City Year
First Circle Launch Party will introduce First Circle, a membership program for friends and champions of City Year.
It will be held at the Arkansas Studies Institute, 401 President Clinton Avenue, on Thursday, June 4th. Please stop by any time between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. to have a beer or a glass of wine. While there, you will learn more about City Year's service in central Arkansas and how you can help corps members change the world by improving our local communities.
The 2009-2010 membership fee for First Circle is $50.
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100 Hours of Power
June 9-13, 2009
About 100 Hours of Power
As a final demonstration of their commitment to the power of community service, City Year Little Rock/North Little Rock will provide more than 100 consecutive hours of service from June 9-13. To deepen the impact they are currently making in the community, City Year corps members engage community members and volunteers to deliver transformative, inspirational, and sustainable service. Evening service is led by corps members in neighborhoods around the city.
100 Hours of Power's Vision
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said that "everyone can be great because everyone can serve." 100 Hours of Power is a demonstration that everyone can serve, at any time and at any place. By committing our time and energy to service, we can better our communities and the lives of those living in them-during our regular work week and beyond!
City Year Graduation
June 17, 2009
4:30-5:30 p.m.
Arkansas Governor's Mansion
Join City Year for Graduation 2009 as they celebrate the accomplishments of the 24 young idealists in the City Year Little Rock/North Little Rock 2008-2009 corps and their dedication to serving the children and youth of central Arkansas. Family, friends, and champions are welcome to join City Year in acknowledging the hard work and dedication of these young leaders. As corps members prepare for new and exciting chapters in their lives, graduation marks the beginning of a lifetime of service and leadership. Presented by Judy K. Tenenbaum.
For more information about any of these events, contact Jeremy Haggard at 501-707-1402. | |
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