Northwest Arkansas United Way 2014 Sets $4 Million Goal

At A Glance

Shawn Walker, chairman of the United Way Board of Directors, gave this example of need Thursday at the kickoff of the 2014 United Way campaign. The goal is $4 million.

Just to meet basic needs, a single mother of two making $12 an hour, or $21,600 a year, would spend, on average, per month:

  • $581 for rent on a two-bedroom apartment.
  • $140 a week for groceries (she would not qualify for food stamps).
  • $178 for utilities.
  • $125 on a car payment.
  • $150 for gasoline.
  • $100 for car insurance.
  • $50 for phone service
  • Leaving a total of $51 a month as free cash.

Source: Staff Report

United Way of Northwest Arkansas’s 2014 campaign drive kicked off Thursday simultaneously in Fayetteville, Rogers and Siloam Springs with an announced goal of $4 million.

“We reached our goal of $3.9 million this year,” said Julie Petree, manager and marketing and communications director for United Way. “We actually exceeded that goal a little and believe we can reach $4 million in 2014, at least that’s the goal.”

Shawn Walker, chairman of the United Way Board of Directors, made a fact-filled, impassioned presentation to organization volunteers in the Rogers audience.

“We didn’t make our goal for three years in a row during the recession. That meant we had to go back to the agencies we fund and tell them they weren’t going to get the money we promised. It was not a pleasant task,” Walker said.

It is more important than ever to continue to meet the campaign goal, Walker said, because there are thousands of men, women and children in Northwest Arkansas who need the help provided by the 61 agencies that receive money from United Way.

“You might not see the need in Northwest Arkansas because this area is prosperous and unemployment is low, but it’s there. There are 2,000 people homeless in the area; 47 percent of our children live in poverty; 48 percent don’t know where their next meal is coming from; many families have no health care; and 49 percent of homes don’t have even one book in the house,” Walker said.

“That’s not the child’s fault. They have no control of the situation, but they need your help,” Walker said.

Most of the people who need help are trying to make it, they work, but don’t make enough money to meet expenses, he said.

“That has a direct affect on our community. The United Way is working to have the greatest impact and do the most good for the most people,” Walker said. “Of the money collected during the annual fund drive, 99 percent stays in the community. Last year we were able to help 100,000 people. We want to do even better this year. Having worked with the United Way for about 20 years, I know the difference it can make and I have no shame in asking for money to help those who need a help up.”

Tammy Shook of Cave Springs, who has received help from an United Way agency, explained how the organization made a difference in her life and the life of her adopted son.

Shook, who is single, took in a woman and two of her children a couple of years ago when the family was in trouble. The mother of the children died in an automobile accident and Shook adopted the children.

“I went from carefree, to being a mother with two children overnight,” Shook said.

As the arrangement unfolded, Shook came to the conclusion her 9-year-old adopted son needed a male role model in his life and turned to Big Brothers Big Sisters for help.

“It turned Tyler’s life around. He opened up and became a happy, healthy kid again. I had wanted to work with Big Brothers Big Sisters before, but found myself in need of their help and it’s awesome help. If you can see it in your heart, please give to the United Way. It really makes a difference,” Shook said.

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