Liberty Bank serves community in Charity Tennis Challenge
When Scott Hancock at Liberty Bank came up with the idea for a charity tennis challenge, he couldn’t have known the support he would garner from his employees at the bank, or the appreciation from the charities it would eventually serve. Or even how many tennis players would come out to enjoy the day.
Now in its third year, the Liberty Bank Charity Tennis Challenge is something Hancock can really be proud of. Not just because it raised over $10,000 since its start or because it has served several local charities. Success is also in taking a company with multiple branches and bringing them together to serve a community cause.
“Liberty Bank has a tremendous staff throughout Northwest Arkansas, with many of our employees very involved in charities of his or her choice,” says Scott Hancock, Executive Vice President for Liberty Bank of Arkansas, and the tournament’s director.
“While we continue to support other charitable events, I wanted to take advantage of the resources and energy we had within our staff, and work in unison to support the many needs throughout the communities in which we live and work.”
Hancock says originally he thought it would be a team effort and an opportunity for fun. “The last three years have exceeded my expectations,” he says. Over 30% of the Liberty Bank staff participated in organizing and facilitating the event. “I am humbled at what the Liberty Bank team can do,” Hancock shares.
“We always receive many positive comments from the players about how much they enjoy playing in our tournament.” He gives most of the credit for success to the Liberty Bank staff that donates their time and effort to make it happen. According to marketing director, Dianne Bufford, the prizes and proceeds are often donated by clients who appreciate the opportunity to join in community service.
As a team, the Liberty Bank staff chooses the charities to be benefited from the fundraiser each year. Every employee is encouraged to submit a charity they hold near and dear. Three are then chosen from the employee suggestions.
The 3nd Annual Liberty Bank Charity Tennis Challenge, dubbed “Going Overhead for Our Communities,” took place at the Fayetteville Athletic Club on August 27-29 and included 64 tennis teams.
The three charities chosen were: Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, known as CASA, Life Styles, Inc. and the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter. Each charity received $1500.
Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter
The Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter provides free emergency shelter, food, and clothing to victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault. The shelter operates a 24-hour crisis phone line, and provides a number of advocacy and educational programs. They are quick to point out that domestic violence doesn’t discriminate – it’s a crime that crosses all demographics, race, socioeconomic status, and educational backgrounds.
Angie Albright is the shelter’s executive director. “For us this kind of money can go toward operations, which is harder to find,” she shares. “So this is a real blessing for us.” To put the contribution into perspective, Albright says it will buy a couple of months of utilities or about three months of groceries – two very important bills in all of our households.”
Life Styles, Inc.
Life Styles is a non-profit organization that serves individuals with developmental disabilities. Their mission is grounded in the belief that community life is for everyone, and that all people have value. When individuals with disabilities are given the opportunity to participate and contribute to the community, all of our lives are enriched.
Daniel Jackson is one of the members of Life Styles. Shown on the cover of this issue of Biz2Biz NWA with tournament founder Scott Hancock, Jackson "signs" his appreciation for the donation to Life Styles, Inc. Jackson is a familiar face to many as he has worked at Marvin’s IGA in Fayetteville for 10 years. He is an avid cyclist and rides all over town, loves the trail system and uses it often. He enjoys decorating his home and yard and has a knack for design. Daniel is one 130 individuals served by the efforts of Life Styles, Inc.
Court Appointed Special Advocates of Northwest Arkansas
CASA provides a voice for abused and neglected children by providing advocates to work with and speak for the children in court. The agency began in 1997 and today is the largest CASA program in Arkansas.
“We are only serving about half the children in foster care that could use a court appointed advocate,” says Crystal Vickmark, CASA’s executive director. It takes about $2,000 to recruit and train one advocate, she says. Each advocate will serve four or five children in the average term of service.
There are only a few requirements for becoming an advocate, including 30 hours of training. “Mostly these are ordinary citizens with passion, a heart for children and the ability to be objective about the case.”
Story by Janie Pritchett-Clark
