WHO:
Joey Pettit, manager, Regions Bank Jonesboro Main branch in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
WHAT:
Pettit serves as a United Way of Northeast Arkansas (UWNEA) loaned executive, a one-year program providing business professionals with experiences to engage with nonprofits while developing leadership skills. This year’s cohort is composed of 16 members serving community organizations across seven counties.
PROUD HISTORY:
“United Way of Northeast Arkansas began our Loaned Executive program in 1983,” said Erin Calhoon, who leads the program and serves as the organization’s Development director.
“Four decades later, we remain grateful to the companies who share their amazing employees with us to serve our community – like Regions and Joey, who’s been a steady and consistent leader throughout his Loaned Executive experience. We especially value volunteers who demonstrate great teamwork and a desire to give back. Joey certainly embodies both of those qualities.”
IN HIS OWN WORDS:
Seeing the Community in a New Light: “Serving as a United Way loaned executive has been an eye-opening experience,” said Pettit. “I’ve lived in Jonesboro for 25 years and have discovered nonprofits I had no idea existed. By touring several organizations, I learned when and how they were founded and the ways United Way supports their work. I’ve also gained a lot of knowledge about how important nonprofits are to a community and how important it is for the community to be involved with supporting them.
“The Jonesboro community is like no other. They are selfless and always willing to lend a hand. We see that every year with more than 500 people showing up for the annual UWNEA Day of Caring, including our Regions team.”
Worldwide Presence, Local Impact: “It’s so important for people to know that while the United Way is a global network, each United Way affiliate is locally run,” said Pettit. “That means money donated to that affiliate remains in the community to address the specific education, financial stability and health needs of that area and support the people and families who live there.”
*Note: There are more than 1,100 United Way affiliates providing support in 40-plus countries.
The Impact of One: “Through this experience, I’ve learned that even one person can make a difference,” said Pettit. “That can be by giving money or just giving time to help. Everyone has a role to serve and that role is just as important as any other.”
It Could Be Any of Us: “You never know when you might need to call on one of the nonprofits in your community for help – for either someone you know or yourself,” said Pettit. “Also, there are nonprofits striving to help improve the lives of youth. This is a big passion of mine because today’s youth are our leaders of tomorrow. If we’re not investing our time and effort into them, there’s a chance no one will. Everyone deserves a chance to succeed in life.”
Learn another way Joey Pettit and his teammates are making life better across Jonesboro.
