Launch-a-Ball at ARVEST Ballpark

The United Way of Northwest Arkansas recently had the opportunity to partner with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals during their Friday night Launch-a-Ball promotion. Launch-a-Ball takes place at the end of the game before the firework show on Friday nights at the ballpark. Game attendees have the opportunity to purchase a ball for $1.00 and have a chance to win great prizes! Prizes include round-trip airfare for two on American Airlines, $45.00 gift certificate to Outback Steakhouse, and Northwest Arkansas Naturals merchandise.

Launch-a-Ball has quickly became a favorite amongst baseball fans at ARVEST Ballpark. The United Way participated in Launch-a-Ball on two separate occasions, and combined raised over $700.00. All proceeds benefited the United Way of Northwest Arkansas.

A big thank you to the Naturals for providing this opportunity and to Young Women's Alliance members Stephanie Wahlert, Sasi Simon, and Cassie Linton, and United Way volunteers Robbie Artherton and Garret Benoit for volunteering during this special promotion. We want to thank everyone who participated by purchasing a ball. We had a great time! We are looking forward to future partnerships with the Naturals.

IO Metro Lives United with Young Leaders Society

On the evening of June 26 we kicked off a great partnership with our friends at IO Metro. As part of the partnership, IO Metro is supporting our Young Leaders Society for the next year at a level of $3,000.

For those of you who might be unfamiliar with our Young Leaders Society, it is a group for individuals or couples who are 45 years of age or younger and give at a level of $500 per year.

The Young Leaders Society, or YLS, is a group that allows people who want to give, advocate and volunteer to do so within a group that has a common interest around making our community stronger.

At the event, YLS President Holland Hayden Jensen spoke briefly about the group and how easy it is to get involved and the many benefits that the group has to offer. Networking events such as this is one of the many opportunities for members to get involved. Attendees were given another involvement opportunity at the event where we had sign ups for volunteer slots for our school supply drive, Stuff the Bus, on July 25 and 26.

Jeremy Teeple, Chief Financial Officer for IO Metro, also addressed the group that gathered about why IO Metro choose to partner with United Way, saying that there is no better organization to partner with to help create lasting changes in the issues of education, income and health than United Way. He also let the gathered group know that 10% of sales that evening were being given to United Way.

This is an exciting time for United Way and the Young Leaders group. We invite you to learn more about the great things that this organization offers to young professionals in Northwest Arkansas.

We have several more events coming up, our next one is Wednesday, August 6 at 4:30 p.m. at Arvest Ballpark where we will have group tickets available for Young Leaders, their families and friends to enjoy a Northwest Arkansas Naturals game together. Call us at 479-750-1221 for more information.

Thanks once again to IO Metro for hosting a great event, and for being our partner in the Young Leaders Society.