Community

St. Nick 3v3: Soccer Games and Injury Prevention

Adapted from descriptions written by Ray Yumang and Luke Winslow

Edited by Paolo Garcia

Soccer, raffles, and screening: what more could you ask for? The 10th of December was as crisp a day as any at Next Level Achievements in Springdale. The indoor activity center served as a great way to get out of the crispness of the forty-degree weather. As one of the co-sponsors of the St. Nick 3v3 game, we spent the beginning of our morning setting up our booth. Our team’s main goal was to showcase our new “Competitive Edge” program for sports therapy and reach out to the athletic community in Northwest Arkansas.

The games were all conducted in good fun; there were many small teams of girls and boys playing soccer. The muffled sounds of feet on Astroturf mixed well with intermittent shouts and whistles. At the end of the event, one of these young athletes won our raffle and took home a bright blue, brand-new soccer ball.  Throughout the entirety of the tournament we were busy informing others about A. Yumang Rehab Services and our program.

From the moment the tournament started, it was clear that our table was doing well. People of all ages stopped to ask us questions, grab a piece of candy, and learn about what we could do for their young athletes. Many of the athletes themselves were very excited for the soccer ball raffle, and it was great to see that a similar enthusiasm was shared by their parents toward our program. It was a great experience to inform the community about different options to help become a better athlete, especially since the majority of them were unaware of such options in the area.

As a program, our “Competitive Edge” is designed to cater to athletes from eight to sixteen years old. At our booth, we offered injury and athletic screening so that we could help develop personalized plans for future clients. It was great to learn more about the clients we serve and connect with those who could use our help in the future. By being available for the athletic community, we can help healthy and uninjured athletes with wellness, agility, and coordination.

Walk for ALS: A Very Heartfelt Thank You

Adapted from descriptions by Michelle Ross and Brenda Mays

Edited by Paolo Garcia

August 27th in Bentonville was a hot and humid day; vendors lined the streets and the smell of grilled hot dogs permeated the air. Beautiful blue and white balloon arches decorated the Compton Garden area where the community gathered to hear announcements. Our participating team members for the ALS Walk and their four-legged friends stopped to enjoy some ice-cold water before the start of the event. They were all there to support both the cause and a very special person.

My mother was diagnosed with ALS in November of 2015, so this walk has a place in my heart. As an employee of A. Yumang Rehab Services, I soon discovered that my coworkers are more than just work acquaintances: they are my work family. When Ray Yumang asked what we as a company would like to do in 2016 during a meeting, I suggested that we participate in the Northwest Arkansas Walk to Defeat ALS. When the idea was approved, Ray decided to host "Team Cheryl," named after my mother. Since we didn't know who would donate or how much to expect, I set a goal of $300.

When the day of the walk came, anyone could see that it was quite an event. Memorial signs with names and pictures of those who have lost the battle to this disease lined the walkway. There was a special rendition of our national anthem and awards were given to the teams with the most participants or most donations. My family was overwhelmed by the amount of support our team received. We didn't just reach our goal, we tripled it to $955! In addition to that, the overall donation goal set by the organizers of the walk was surpassed, receiving $386,895.77 total in donations!

Following the walk, all of our team members posed for pictures and some even got together to play a bit of soccer. My family was blessed with an amazing team for the walk; they didn't just help support the cause, they supported my family. All of the prayers, donations, and support have shown me how very blessed I am to work with such a great group of people. No words can express how much gratitude I have for all of the participants of this event. Even though our team went their separate ways after the walk, it is clear that we remain united as a community to fight diseases like ALS.