Realtors hold raffle to benefit Special Olympics Arkansas

Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” — Special Olympics Athlete Oath

This week’s column was written by Emily Morgan, public relations director for the Arkansas Realtors Association.

Arkansas Realtors have a longstanding tradition of community involvement and seeking to make a difference in the neighborhoods in which they serve. Realtors volunteer their time and effort with numerous charities and worthy causes at the local, state and national levels. The Arkansas Realtors Association encourages Realtors to do what they can to give back and make a difference in people’s lives.

For almost 30 years, the ARA and its members have worked to raise funds for Special Olympics Arkansas (SOAR). During those 30 years Arkansas Realtors have raised more than $2 million, which was distributed to 17 Special Olympic areas around the state. These areas cover all 75 Arkansas counties, and each region’s Olympians directly benefit from funds raised by Realtors in their areas. The ARA was recently announced to be a Mission Champion Sponsor for SOAR.

“The ARA connects families moving into communities throughout the state with SOAR programs and volunteers,” said Terri Weir, executive director and CEO for SOAR. “The efforts of the Arkansas Realtors® Association through their continued spirit in volunteerism and generous financial support are invaluable to the athletes of Special Olympics Arkansas.”

In addition to many events and fundraisers that will be held in local board areas around the state, the ARA’s public relations committee has organized a statewide raffle to benefit SOAR. Tickets for the raffle have been sent to local boards so people all over the state have a chance not only to win a great prize, but also to help out Special Olympians in their communities. The raffle will be held Sept. 17 during the ARA’s annual convention at the Fort Smith Convention Center (you need not be present to win).

The prizes to be raffled off include: an iPad Mini, a Kindle Fire, a $500 gift card to Bass Pro Shops, a Pony Express Smoker ($895 value), a two-night stay in Hot Springs Village, a fishing rod and reel (two will be given away) and Smiley Face games.

This raffle wouldn’t be possible without Arkansas Realtors and our sponsors, including the Russellville Board of Realtors; Image Realty of Paragould; Aaron Jotliff of Hook, Line & Sinker; Daniel Bowlin of Mobile Marine Repair; Don Lombard of Vacation Rentals Inc.; and Imagine Games, Cards and Entertainment.

Tickets are priced at $5 each or five tickets for $20, and can be purchased from local Realtor boards or from the ARA offices in Little Rock. For more information contact the Emily Morgan, director of public relations for the ARA, 888-333-2206 or

emily@ArkansasRealtors.com.

ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS ARKANSAS The mission of Special Olympics Arkansas, or SOAR, is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and their communities.

SOAR is supported by individual donations, private and corporate sponsorships, state appropriation, grants and special fundraising events. Your financial support helps SOAR provide training, equipment and competition to athletes free of charge.

SOAR is a nonprofit organization, providing approximately 14,000 people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to excel.

In the United States alone, only 33 percent of people with intellectual disabilities who need the program are being reached.

House to House is distributed by the Arkansas Realtors Association. For more information about homeownership in Arkansas, visit www.ArkansasRealtors.com.