Non-profit Hosts Voter Registration Drive
By: Kyle Leyenberger
Updated: February 1, 2013
A local non-profit teamed up with hundreds of organizations across the country Tuesday for National Voter Registration Day.
The Samaritan Community Center serves up meals and groceries to people in need, but they added another service Tuesday, getting those same people involved in the political process.
"These are the under served in our community, and we need to let them know they are just as important," says Mary Mann, the center's director of communications. "These are people who are trying to get food on their table."
Volunteers set up a table with voter registration applications at the non-profit's Rogers and Springdale locations.
"Sometimes it's really hard to get down to the courthouse," Mann says. "Many of the people that use our services are people who may be intimidated by the voting process."
Amy Hines volunteered to help sign people up, and says it was a busy morning.
"That's very exciting, to see that people are actually interested in their country and want their voice to be heard," Hines says. "They have a right and they should exercise that right."
Kevin Valentine filled out an application at the event.
"We should all have a hand in who's running our government," he says. "It's very important for our childrens' sake. Our kids are going to be paying the price if we vote wrong."
Valentine is glad to see the center getting involved and hopes the effort pays off in November.
"I think there are really important issues for our area and for our state," he says. "I know its a personal thing but everybody should take the time to look at the issues and really take it serious because it does matter."
The deadline to register in Arkansas is October 9th. There's good reason to make sure your voice is heard in November. Several big state and local issues will be on Arkansas ballots.
Voters across the state will have a chance to weigh in on legalizing medical marijuana, as well as bringing casinos to the natural state.
In Benton County, voters will decide if the county is ready for legal retail alcohol sales, and in Springdale Sunday alcohol sales will be on the ballot.
The Samaritan Community Center serves up meals and groceries to people in need, but they added another service Tuesday, getting those same people involved in the political process.
"These are the under served in our community, and we need to let them know they are just as important," says Mary Mann, the center's director of communications. "These are people who are trying to get food on their table."
Volunteers set up a table with voter registration applications at the non-profit's Rogers and Springdale locations.
"Sometimes it's really hard to get down to the courthouse," Mann says. "Many of the people that use our services are people who may be intimidated by the voting process."
Amy Hines volunteered to help sign people up, and says it was a busy morning.
"That's very exciting, to see that people are actually interested in their country and want their voice to be heard," Hines says. "They have a right and they should exercise that right."
Kevin Valentine filled out an application at the event.
"We should all have a hand in who's running our government," he says. "It's very important for our childrens' sake. Our kids are going to be paying the price if we vote wrong."
Valentine is glad to see the center getting involved and hopes the effort pays off in November.
"I think there are really important issues for our area and for our state," he says. "I know its a personal thing but everybody should take the time to look at the issues and really take it serious because it does matter."
The deadline to register in Arkansas is October 9th. There's good reason to make sure your voice is heard in November. Several big state and local issues will be on Arkansas ballots.
Voters across the state will have a chance to weigh in on legalizing medical marijuana, as well as bringing casinos to the natural state.
In Benton County, voters will decide if the county is ready for legal retail alcohol sales, and in Springdale Sunday alcohol sales will be on the ballot.
