Jonesboro, AR — (JonesboroRightNow.com) — May 8, 2025 — United Way of Northeast Arkansas celebrated 70 years of impact and investing $650,000 to 18 nonprofits in an annual luncheon held in Centennial Hall at Arkansas State University.

Businesses, corporate partners, event sponsors and hundreds of individuals were honored for supporting the United Way.

Fourteen businesses were recognized for achieving 100% employee giving. That means 100% of each company’s employees committed to contributing to the United Way either through payroll deduction or individual giving.

Arvest Bank, City Water and Light, Downtown Jonesboro Alliance, Encore Bank, Evolve Bank and Trust, First Community Bank, First Financial Mortgage, First National Bank, First Security Bank, FNBC, Paslode, Signature Bank, Simmons Bank and Southern Bank were recognized for their achievement.

The overall leader for the 2024 campaign was City Water and Light.  The leader in the “bank” sector was Farmers and Merchants Bank. The leader in the “healthcare provider” sector was St. Bernards Healthcare. The leader in the “manufacturer” sector was Frito-Lay.

Six nonprofit agencies were awarded $1,000 checks at the luncheon. Those agencies included the Jonesboro Business Association, Junior Auxiliary, Northeast Arkansas Children’s Advocacy Center, Make-A-Wish, Together We Foster, and the Foundation of Arts.

A $1,000 donation was made from Landry and Taytem Nunnally, children of the late Michael and Lauren Copenhaver Nunally. The money was raised from a golf ball and lemonade sale conducted by Landry and Taytem at a golf tournament. The kids were honoring their late father, Michael, who was a community advocate and huge supporter of the United Way organization.

Ernesto Saucedo received the Michael Nunnally Loaned Executive of the Year Award. Jim Bryant and Hayley Tripod were named Community Above Self Winners. Alejandra Morales was named 2024 Campaign Champion.

Founded in 1955 as the United Fund in Jonesboro, the goal for that first year was to raise $37,000 to establish a primary fundraising source in the community to collect and disburse gifts to partner nonprofit agencies. Those original member agencies were the Salvation Army, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Junior Auxiliary. The goal was exceeded when the group raised $38,276.

United Way has continued to fundraise for nonprofits across Northeast Arkansas for the past 70 years. Click here to see United Way’s annual report for 2024.

A photo gallery from the luncheon is below:

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Photos by RA Lux Media