Celebrating family...diversity...commUNITY!
A record crowd of 1,200 people raised over $53,500 for JCA programs, smashing the record for our most successful Walk ever!
Friends old and new gathered at the River Market pavilions to enjoy food, music, fun, and fellowship. Over 60 teams represented schools, area businesses, civic and nonprofit groups, faith communities, families, and neighborhoods. A huge THANK YOU to all of the walkers who joined us; and to the donors, sponsors and friends who helped make this the biggest and best Walk to date.
Mark your calendar for next year’s Walk for CommUNITY on Sunday afternoon, November 3, 2013. For more information about the Walk or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, contact Kerri Michael Sernel at (501) 372-5129.
|-- Show 2012 Walk for CommUNITY Report --|
The 13th Annual Walk for CommUNITY
November 4, 2012
Since November of 2000, people from all walks of life in Central Arkansas and beyond have come together to celebrate our open, diverse, and spirit-filled state. The Walk for CommUNITY symbolizes our solidarity as Arkansans working together to build communities where every person is valued, every voice is heard and everyone has a fair chance to succeed. Funds raised at the Walk for CommUNITY are used to support existing programs and to implement new programs for our state’s youth, adult, and community leaders. JCA reaches young people in grades 5-12 with programming aimed at breaking down barriers, eliminating stereotypes, and fostering mutual respect in our communities. Adult and community programs focus on building mutual respect and creating opportunities for open and civil dialogue that leads to more inclusive communities. To learn more about our programming, visit our Programs page.
This year, yet another record was smashed as 1,200 people gathered at the River Market pavilions, where they were greeted by event chair Graham Rich, CEO of Central Arkansas Water, Executive Director Ruth Shepherd, and JCA Board President Oscar Washington. Honorary co-chairs for the Walk included Senator Joyce Elliott, Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola, North Little Rock Mayor Patrick Henry Hays, Pulaski County Judge Buddy Villines, Little Rock Chief of Police Stuart Thomas, North Little Rock Chief of Police Danny Bradley, Pulaski County Sheriff Doc Holladay, Little Rock Fire Chief Gregory Summers, and North Little Rock Fire Chief Robert Mauldin.
Walkers enjoyed glorious fall weather, music and dancing, and lots of fun activities for children of all ages, provided by the Little Rock and North Little Rock Mayor’s Youth Councils. Clowns from Central High School and mimes from Parkview Arts & Science Magnet High School delighted the crowd. After a brief welcome ceremony and a rousing roll call, walkers passed underneath a colorful balloon arch constructed by the young ladies of Go! Girls Youth Initiative Program, and set out on the one-mile, fully-accessible route. Upon returning to the pavilions, walkers enjoyed pizza from Little Caesar’s, Starbucks coffee, yummy frozen treats from Blue Bell Creameries, music, entertainment, and great company.
On-site Walk registration was very graciously and capably handled by corps members of City Year Little Rock/North Little Rock. Over 60 groups formed teams representing schools, area businesses, civic and nonprofit groups, faith communities, families, and neighborhoods.
The 2012 Walk for CommUNITY was presented by Central Arkansas Water. Other sponsors for the 2012 Walk included Gold Sponsors Hola! Arkansas and Contigo; Silver Sponsors City of Little Rock, Legacy Termite and Pest Control, Little Rock Athletic Club, and Regional Recycling and Waste Reduction District; Bronze Sponsors AARP, Advantage Communications, Inc., Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, City of North Little Rock, Clinton School of Public Service, Entergy, Junior League of Little Rock, Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau, Marshall Management, Wright Lindsey & Jennings, LLC, and UPS; and other contributors including Arkansas Arts Center, Arkansas Repertory Theater, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Arkansas Times, Blue Bell Creameries, Bylites, Cross Gunter Witherspoon & Galchus, Community Bakery, Little Caesar's of West Little Rock and Otter Creek, Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, Little Rock Fire Department, Little Rock Police Department, Novah Spa, Paschall Strategic Communications, Second Baptist Church, Starbucks Coffee, Sunbelt Convention Services, and WildWear. Special thanks to our good friends at Southwest Airlines, who donated two airline tickets to our top team fundraiser - congratulations to Margaret Scott of Team Central Arkansas Water, who raised a whopping $2,480 for JCA's youth and community programs! JCA thanks ALL of our sponsors and contributors for making this year's Walk for CommUNITY such a great success. We could not have done it without all of you!
Next year’s Walk for CommUNITY will take place on Sunday afternoon, November 3. For more information about the Walk or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, contact Kerri Michael Sernel at (501) 372-5129.
Why We Walk
- We Walk because we prefer understanding over misconception.
- We Walk to teach our children tolerance and acceptance.
- We Walk to learn more about ourselves and others.
- We Walk to identify our similarities rather than our differences.
- We Walk to celebrate our diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
- We Walk to ease the pain of past transgressions.
- We Walk to feel the power of our community.
- We Walk to reunite.
- We Walk to make the world a better place.
- We Walk to change lives!
Since 2000, JCA has organized an annual
Walk for CommUNITY on the Little Rock calendar or events, bringing people from all backgrounds together for a one-mile Walk in celebration of central Arkansas’ open, diverse and spirit-filled community.
The annual Walk for CommUNITY is a perfect event for those who want to fight bigotry, promote diversity and have fun at the same time! Every year, hundreds of concerned and engaged citizens join together to express appreciation for the diversity offered in central Arkansas. Walkers follow a path, which is just one mile in length, over the Main Street Bridge to North Little Rock and then back to the River Market Pavilions. Following the Walk, we celebrate this diversity activity with music, refreshments, entertainment and lots of fun!
Funds raised from the Walk support JCA’s youth and community leadership programs.
The Walk for CommUNITY is a great opportunity for all allies of JCA to support the work that JCA does and to showcase their pride in the diversity of the Arkansas community.
If you would like more information about the Walk for CommUNITY or to become a Team Leader or Sponsor of this celebration of family, diversity and community, please contact Kerri Michael Sernel, Development and Marketing Director, at the JCA office.