Jonesboro, AR – (Contributed) – 04/30/2024 – United Way of Northeast Arkansas hosted its 2024 Annual Luncheon at Arkansas State University’s Centennial Hall to celebrate the collective impact made possible in 2023 through community partnerships.
Heather Coats, Executive Director of United Way, highlighted community impact through in-house initiatives including Stuff the Bus, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the Free Little Library, Day of Caring, the VITA free tax filing program, and Books and Badges.
In addition to in-house initiatives, United Way awards funding each year to non-profit organizations who are providing boots on the ground service to feed our hungry, house our unsheltered population, give medical care to the sick, advocate for our children through court appointed advocates, provide top notch after school care and ministry, provide safety to the abused, provide preventative programs and education to the vulnerable, and much more.
“In 2023, collectively through in-house initiatives, funded partners, community collaborations and special projects, $600,000 was invested locally, 63,490 were served, and a total of 8,310 volunteer hours were completed with United Way,” Coats indicated.
In order to sustain this work, United Way leans on support from individuals, workplaces, and corporations through their annual giving campaign. More than 50 companies partnered with United Way for the 2023 Annual Campaign through workplace giving, corporate giving and special events. Among these, a new group of leading partners was established during the program–the Fabulous Fifteen. These companies were recognized for being overall leaders in their dedication to improving lives across our Northeast Arkansas community. The companies recognized were Jonesboro’s City Water & Light for their employee giving support, Frito Lay, St. Bernards Healthcare and Medical Group, Hytrol, ABB, Trinity Rail, Farmers and Merchants Bank, Simmons Bank, Arvest Bank, First Horizon Bank, Black Hills Energy, First Community Bank, Centennial Bank, First Security Bank, and Jonesboro Public Schools.
The luncheon also included entertainment provided by local artist Marybeth Byrd, who made the top 8 semi-finals on Season 17 of The Voice and top 10 on Season 21 of American Idol. She was accompanied by her guitarist, Charles Moody.