SFASU Live United Day!

SFA football season opener to be dedicated to United Way

NACOGDOCHES, TX - September 10, 2013 - After two weeks on the road, the SFA Lumberjack football team finally returns to Homer Bryce Stadium for its first home game of the season this Saturday at 6 p.m. But there’s a message behind this game, a message to Live United. SFA Athletics has partnered with the Nacogdoches County United Way to dedicate this game to the United Way, and encourage everyone to Live United.

“Living United is at the core of everything the United Way represents,” Gary Lee Ashcraft, president and CEO of Nacogdoches County United Way, said. “The idea is that just by giving a little, you can change a life.”

The United Way will be involved in every aspect of Saturday’s game as a part of the Live United event. NCUW will have a premier, designated tailgate spot near the Alumni Corner on the corner of Raguet and Hayter streets. There NCUW will display the 2014 Live United Car, donated by Rex Perry Autoplex, which will be raffled off at the end of its campaign to donors who pledge at least $4 per week for a total of $208 in 2014.

Throughout the game, NCUW will be promoting its new “Connect2Give” texting campaign. Connect2Give is a fundraising service that enables organizations to collect donations and update their donors with important information via mobile devices. The community can donate to NCUW during the game by texting the keyword “NCUW”. This will allow them to enter the amount they wish to donate and to visit the NCUW mobile website.

“We are very proud to now have a text-to-give campaign, and we’re hoping that people will utilize it during the game.”

In addition, the United Way will be featured during the halftime show, where Betty Shinn will be honored as the Tim Hayward Volunteer of the Year award recipient and Amanda Horne will be honored for her leadership of the Statewide Charitable Campaign conducted on the SFA campus. Both recipients are NCUW board member. Members of the SFA Student United Way, a campus-based service organization that partners with the Nacogdoches County United Way and its agencies, will also be leading the charge of students out of the tunnel as part of the second-annual Jacks Charge.

To further promote “Live United Day,” members of the football team and the Lumberjack Marching Band will wear their purple Live United shirts all day Friday.

“This is a huge boost not only to NCUW, but also to our 2014 Live United! campaign,” Ashcraft said. “This is a great opportunity for us to showcase the United Way and what we do for the community to such a large crowd.”

In addition to Saturday’s game, SFA Athletics will host two more Live United Days this fall. The first will be during the Ladyjack soccer match versus Abilene Christian on October 13 at 1 p.m. The last event will be during the Ladyjack volleyball match versus Oral Roberts on November 12 at 6:30 p.m.

“The United Way is a fantastic organization and has such a positive impact on the Nacogdoches Community,” said SFA Associate Athletics Director John Branch.  “We are privileged to partner with them this year and use our resources to help raise awareness, showcase their great volunteers and make a positive impact on the lives of the people of Nacogdoches County.”

This will be the first year that SFA Athletics and the Nacogdoches County United Way partner on such a large scale. In the past, NCUW has partnered with the SFA baseball team and Head Coach Johnny Cardenas to host an annual “Live United with the Jacks” event that invites children who participate in programs provided by United Way agencies to attend a game free of charge and interact with the players.

NCUW’s 2014 Live United! campaign is “off to a fast paced start,” already, according to Chris Wigington, NCUW Campaign Co-Chair.

“We had a very successful, well-attended kickoff event in August that really jump-started the campaign. Our goal this year is to raise $350,000, and I am confident that our volunteer leadership will get us there.”

            Last year, NCUW surpassed its goal of $340,000, raising just over $360,000.

            This year’s campaign theme is “Give a little. Change a Life.” which really embodies the spirit of the United Way.

            “You never know who you could be helping when you donate – a small child, a family of six looking to put food on the table – and a little bit really does go a long way.” Erica Pitts, communication coordinator for NCUW, said.

            For more information, contact the Nacogdoches County United Way office at (936) 564-5869. To stay updated with all NCUW events, you can visit their website at www.unitedwaynac.com and like their Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/UnitedWayNac.