As part of their annual holiday fundraiser, the team donated about 250 hams to the nonprofit organization, , who will use the hams to feed Central Arkansans in need.

“We’ll be giving the hams out to our families in nine communities,” said Zack Grimes, a mobile team lead with Every Arkansan. “We believe everyone should have the opportunity to gather for a Christmas family meal. We’ll provide the families with these hams and boxes of Christmas vegetables. We are trying to provide for those who can’t provide for themselves, and we are grateful to do it. We are grateful for these guys and all the support from the wrestling team.”

“In addition to the 250 hams for Every Arkansan, another 25 hams were donated for teachers and 15 for first responders as well as New Life Church who bought 15 hams to provide for families in need at their church,” Head Wrestling Coach Neil Erisman said. “We ended up donating more than 300 hams for people in need this year.”

The student-athletes and their coaches were on hand for six hours Dec. 19 to deliver hams for those who ordered them as part of the sixth annual fundraiser, but the best part of the day for the wrestlers was loading the 250 donated hams into Every Arkansan’s van.

“This is a fun tradition for the wrestling team,” said Cody Wagner, a freshman business major from Harleysville, Penn. “We are giving back to the community while also fundraising. I think it’s a cool experience to be a part of.”

The ham sale serves as a dual fundraiser for the Little Rock Wrestling team and Every Arkansan. The wrestling team met this year’s goal of delivering at least 200 hams to those in need. Overall, the wrestling team sold about 640 hams during the fundraiser.

“I am a supporter of the university as a whole and am an old wrestler from Iowa,” said Mike McClellan, who donated seven hams for charity. “The university is an important part of Central Arkansas, and we want them to succeed in all facets. This is a great cause that these guys are supporting.”

Little Rock Wrestling will be back in action Dec. 22 battling against Penn State University, Missouri State, and Binghamton University at the Collegiate Wrestling Duals in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Every Arkansan picked up the hams Dec. 19, and they were distributed to families at mobile sites across Central Arkansas during the week of Christmas, according to Zack Grimes, a mobile team member with .

“We’re taking the hams out to communities starting today where families can pick them up,” Grimes said. “Hopefully, it will be a blessing for as many families as possible. We are very honored and grateful to work with the wrestlers on this project.”

Members of the Little Rock Wrestling Team were on hand for eight hours on Dec. 19 to hand out hams, but the best part of the day for the wrestlers was loading the 250 donated hams into Every Arkansan’s van.

“It’s a big fundraiser, and it gives us a big opportunity to give back to the community, to volunteer, and to help the Arkansas Dream Center and Every Arkansan,” said Jake Adams, a junior wrestling student-athlete from Bentonville. “We’ve developed a great moral character as a team, and this event brings everyone together under a common goal to help the people of Arkansas.”

This is the fifth year that the wrestling team has held their annual ham sale fundraiser and the fourth year of partnering with Every Arkansas to provide hams for Central Arkansas families. All proceeds support both the Little Rock wrestling program and Every Arkansan.

When purchasing hams, there was an option to directly donate a ham to Every Arkansan to give to local families. Hams weigh from 8-10 pounds and feed up to 16 people.

The wrestling team met this year’s goal of delivering at least 200 hams to those in need. Overall, the wrestling team sold about 615 hams during the annual fundraiser.

The wrestling team is thankful to the many community partners who helped with the fundraiser. Count Porkula BBQ, Slappin’Butt BBQ, and Lee Tuxhorn of State Farm all donated smokers to cook the hams. The crew of Marco’s Pizza and Mike Rushin of Rushin Home were all on hand to help cook the hams.

“Being able to feed 250 families in Arkansas is the best part of this event,” Head Wrestling Coach Neil Erisman said. “We have some excellent volunteers helping with the event. We created some good community partnerships to support our program and give back to the community.”

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Last year, Little Rock wrestling and Every Arkansan teamed up to provide over 200 hams to families in the Little Rock area. The team needs your help to surpass that this holiday season.

“This is a great tradition and fantastic fundraiser that is a way to serve our community through our partnership with Every Arkansan, a great organization that helps so many people,” said head coach Neil Erisman. “It also helps our program with everything from team travel to team gear. We look forward to this time of the year.”

All proceeds will support both the Little Rock wrestling program and Every Arkansan. When purchasing, there is an option to directly donate a ham to Every Arkansan to give to local families. With 39% of people in Arkansas living below the poverty line, your support will directly provide holiday meals for the community.

Hams weigh from 8-10 pounds, feed up to 16 people, and have a price tag of $55.

Each ham comes custom-ordered and fully cooked, with the option of smoked, sugared, or a smoked and sugared combination. Smoked hams are done professionally using hand-cut wood, while sugared hams are seasoned with a blend of brown sugar and spices which results in delicious, light, sweet, and salty flavor.

All hams will be available for pickup on Dec. 19 from 12-6 p.m. at the Hatcher Wrestling Facility on the campus of ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock. Orders will be accepted through Dec. 15 and can be .

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