| Little Rock Cub Scout |
 Cub Scout Morgan Johnson from Little Rock introduces himself to Admiral Michael G. Mullen, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, D.C. Morgan was in Washington, D.C. as a delegate to the Boy Scouts of America's Report To The Nation.
Morgan is enjoying his second year of Scouting. During the 2009 popcorn sales event, Morgan sold more than $1,500 worth of popcorn, making him the highest salesmen in the pack and earning him a scholarship to attend the 2010 Mohawk District Day Camp. He has been involved in numerous service projects with his pack, including ringing the bell for The Salvation Army, donating clothing to the Union Rescue Mission in Little Rock, and frequently donating personal clothing and toys to the ARC of Arkansas.
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Stamp Out Hunger! The National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive
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On Saturday, May 8th, place non-perishable food donations where your letter carrier delivers your mail. Your letter carrier will deliver these items to your local food bank. Since the drive began in 1993, Letter Carriers have collected nearly one billion pounds of food, including a record 73.4 million pounds in 2009. For more information, contact Sarah Cowan at 501-565-8121, ext. 15 or scowan@arkansasfoodbank.org
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| United Way at Serve the Rock |
On Thursday, March 18, The Heart of Arkansas United Way participated in Create Little Rock's Serve The Rock. This inaugural event was held at War Memorial Stadium. As one of 50 Chamber of Commerce member non-profit agencies, United Way set up a booth to hand out information to individuals looking to volunteer. Over 300 people attended the event to learn more about serving our community.
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| Agency Spotlight: Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation |
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Six community leaders who are prostate cancer survivors and a medical advisory committee of physicians from around the state formed the Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation (APCF) in 2000. The Foundation's mission is to promote awareness, encourage timely detection and support improved treatment of prostate cancer in Arkansas. The APCF believes that access to information and treatment should be available to all men in Arkansas.
Education, survivor support and timely detection are top priorities for the Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation. The Foundation sponsors public education programs throughout the state, including health fairs, industrial worksites and churches. The Foundation's Prostate Health Resource Center in Little Rock is a first stop for newly diagnosed men and their families, as well as an ongoing source of information and support for prostate cancer survivors. The APCF web site, www.arprostatecancer.org, continues to provide prostate cancer information and support that is available at any time. A toll-free number is also available. The APCF provides free screening on its mobile unit collaborating with health departments, churches, local physicians, nurses and other community based organizations. The Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation PEER NETWORK provides emotional support through group settings as well as individual telephone support for men and their partners through the SURVIVOR-MENTOR program.
Current cancer surveillance data in Arkansas demonstrates that many areas of the state experience prostate cancer incidence and mortality rates that are significantly higher than the national average. Reasons for these increased rates include barriers to access, ineffective cancer education, lack of timely follow-up for suspicious screening results, unavailable and/or inadequate cancer diagnosis and treatment options, and personal and financial obstacles. Although the death rate for prostate cancer has been decreasing in Arkansas, there has been a 55% increase in premature deaths (less than age 65) due to prostate cancer. Of this group, most were diagnosed with late stage cancer. This year, 1,980 Arkansans will hear the words, "You have prostate cancer." 360 will die.
Awareness and education are becoming recognized as effective means to move Arkansans through the continuum of medical care to ensure timely intervention-from suspicious screening to cancer treatment. The Foundation believes that access to prostate cancer screening and treatment should be available to all men in Arkansas, especially those experiencing disparities. The APCF Campaign Against Prostate Cancer provides messages to motivate men and expedite access to screening, diagnosis and treatment. Because of the Campaign, men and their families will:
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Recognize that in Arkansas men are more likely to die from prostate cancer than women are to die of breast cancer
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Acknowledge the need for annual screenings
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Understand the screening process
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Determine whether to be screened or not
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Schedule a free screening in their community
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Obtain information regarding the disease
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Contribute to treatment decisions
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Enhance their personal support system
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Refer others to the Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation for resources
For more information about the Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation and its services, visit us online at visit www.arprostatecancer.org.
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New Big Brothers Big Sisters Donation Center
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 Donate Your Reusable Clothes & Household Items
Thanks to a new partnership with Savers, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arkansas now has a donation center. Through this partnership, the donation center collects clothing and items for Savers and a portion of the proceeds received from the items is given to Big Brothers Big Sisters to support its programs. Watch for a postcard stating we will be in your neighborhood soon or contact our donation staff at donationcenter@bbbsca.org to schedule a pick-up time with our drivers or to bring your donations to our office. The donation center will be next to Sonic on Broadway in Little Rock. An opening date for the donation center will be sometime in May. The new Savers in West Little Rock will be located at 801 South Bowman, Suite A. The grand opening of the store will be 8:30 a.m. on April 7th. In conjunction with their grand opening, there will be a fashion show on April 7th at the new store on Bowman from 5-7 p.m. Preview their collection of haute couture, vintage finds and unexpected treasures as Little Rock Fashion Week producer Brandon D. Campbell takes to the trends to the catwalk. Just a bring a donation of clothing as your admission.
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Kris Allen Guitar Winner
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Ray Beardsley won the Heart of Arkansas United Way raffle for American Idol Season 8 winner Kris Allen's signed Gibson guitar! Below is a picture of United Way's Denver Day presenting the guitar at his place of employment, Crews & Associates.
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| "Change the Sign"
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A blind boy sat on the steps with a hat by his feet.
He held a sign which said:
"I am blind; please help."
There were only a few coins in the hat.
A man took a few coins and dropped them in the hat.
He then took the sign, turned it around and wrote new words.
He put the sign back so everyone who passed would see it.
Soon the hat began to fill up.
More people were giving to the blind boy.
The man who had changed the sign returned.
The boy recognized his footsteps and asked,
"Did you change my sign? What did you write?"
The man said, "I only wrote the truth -- but in a different way."
I wrote: "Today is a beautiful day but I cannot see it."
Both signs told people the boy was blind.
The first sign simply said the boy was blind.
The second sign let people know they were blessed they were not blind.
Be creative.
Be innovative.
Think differently.
Think positively.
When life gives you a 100 reasons to cry,
Show life that you have 1000 reasons to smile.
Face your past without regret.
Handle your present with confidence.
Prepare for your future without fear.
Keep your faith.
It's a beautiful thing to see a person smiling.
It's a beautiful thing knowing you are the reason behind the smile! |
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The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving.
--Albert Einstein
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| Arkansas Foodbank Network
8th Annual Empty Bowls Art Auction:
Thursday, April 8, 2010 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Little Rock
Bid on beautiful work by Arkansas artists in live and silent auctions while enjoying libations provided by Glazer's and food from some of central Arkansas's finest establishments, including Ashley's; Boudreaux's Grill and Bar; Capriccio Grill featuring a live pasta station tended by Chef Andre; Golden Corral, Lilly's Dim Sum, Then Some; Luigi's Pizza and Pasta; The Pantry; 1620 Restaurant; Tropical Smoothie Café; Whole Hog Cafe and Catering; Za Za's Fine Salad and Wood Oven Pizza Co. and more
There will also be fabulous non-art items up for bid including chef dinners and celebrity items from Kris Allen, Martina McBride, Loretta Lynn, and more
For more information, contact Peggy Vickers at 501-565-8121, ext. 33 or pvickers@arkansasfoodbank.org
10th Annual Today's THV Summer Cereal Drive:
School drive runs from April 19 - 30
Elementary, middle and high school students are invited to form school teams and compete against one another to raise healthy breakfast items
The drive will be capped off with the "Cereal Bowl" to be held at Jack Stephens Arena on the UALR campus on May 7, 2010. On that day, kids are invited to use the cereal they've collected to spell "HERO" on the floor of the stadium
Business drive runs from May 31 - June 25
Businesses, clubs, churches, civic organizations, etc. are divided into teams according to size of their organization and compete against one another to raise breakfast items including cereal, oatmeal , Pop Tarts, breakfast bars, etc
Drive begins with a Kick-Off Breakfast at Golden Corral in North Little Rock on May 27th and concludes with a Wrap-Up Breakfast at Golden Corral on July 9th
For more information about the Today's THV Summer Cereal Drive, please contact Sarah Cowan at 501-565-8121, ext. 15 or scowan@arkansasfoodbank.org |
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Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foudnation
April 10 - Free Prostate Cancer Education and Screening Event from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Columbia Co. Health Unit - 207 Calhoun, Magnolia, AR
Contact: Melinda Harrell (870) 235-3798
April 12 - Free Prostate Cancer Education and Screening - PSA ONLY (Blood draw) from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Rector Community Center - 740 E 9th St., Rector, AR
Contact: Michele Haley (870) 595-2182
May 21 - Free Prostate Cancer Education and Screening Event from 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Oaklawn Race Track Infield - 2705 Central Ave., Hot Springs, AR
Contact: Tiara Lamb (501) 538-6022
June 5 - Free Prostate Cancer Screening - BLOOD TEST ONLY from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Green Forest Sale Barn, Highway 62 West, Green Forest, AR
Contact: Carol Lichti (870) 545-3371
June 11 - Free Prostate Cancer Education and Screening Event
605 S 10th St., Arkadelphia, AR
Contact: John Miller (870) 246-4471
June 19 - Free Prostate Cancer Education and Screening Event
St. Mark Baptist Church, 722 W 12th St., Little Rock, AR
Contact: Shelia Jones (501) 413-1950 . | |
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arkansas
Bowl For Kids Sake
We are so thankful to all our February teams who participated in Bowl for Kids' Sake. We want all teams to know they can continue to raise money until April 9th!
We have added an additional bowling night on April 9th at 6 p.m .at Professor Bowl due to a shortage of teams this year. If you know of anyone who might be interested in having a team and bowling on this night contact Lakethia at lglenn@bbbsca.org. We are working towards hitting our goal of $80,000 and have about $20,000 more to raise. With your help we can do it!
Even if you can not bowl, you can still register online and ask friends and family to support Big Brothers Big Sisters by donating to your team online.
President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters to Speak at Clinton School
Karen Mathis, President and CEO for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America will be speaking at the Clinton School April 8 from 12-1 p.m. in the Choctaw Station. Please add this event to your calendar and plan to attend. We hope to have many local supporters to show to show the National Office and Clinton School how great the Big Brothers Big Sisters program is in Arkansas. For questions about the lecture please contact Jennifer Lowrey at jlowrey@bbbsca.org.
Pine Bluff Golf Tournament Harbor Oaks on May 7th
Pine Bluff will hold their annual golf tournament at Harbor Oaks to support the Pine Bluff Bigs-in-School program. We are looking for teams and sponsors to be involved in this great event! Contact Wendy Bearden at 870-850-2509 or go to bbbsca.org to find details on this tournament. |
Francis Allen School
The Allen School's Jumbo Gumbo Cook Off
Saturday, June 5, 2010 from 4 - 8 p.m. at the
Pleasant Ridge Shopping Center on HWY 10 next to Belks. The entry fee for teams is $150 and the ticket price is $15.00. Tragikly White will be providing the music for the event.
For sponsorship information, contact Suzy Benham at 501-664-2961. | |
| Our House
Dinner on the Grounds
Friday June, 4th at 6:00 p.m. at the Arkansas Governor's Mansion.
Join friends and supporters of Our House for a home-style southern supper at sunset, with libations and live entertainment by Lagniappe in a beautiful garden setting.
Tickets are $65. This amount provides a week of food, shelter and counseling for a working homeless person at Our House.
Standing Ovation
An event honoring Annabelle Imber Tuck and Henry Tuck on Thursday April 8th from 11:30 to 1:00. It will be held at the Scottish Rite Masonic Temple at 712 S. Scott Street in downtown Little Rock.
For more information on either of these events, contact Ganelle at 374-7383 extension 200. |
| YMCA
On April 10, the Y will celebrate Healthy Kids Day with a health fair at the soccer fields at Cantrell and Rodney Parham. Health Fair will be held from 9 - Noon, and will include lots of healthy, fun activities for kids of all ages. For more information, call Rebecca at 227-8343.
On April 23, the YMCA will hold a dinner to recognize Steve Sullivan with its Johnny Heflin Humanitarian Award for his dedication to active lifestyles through sports in Arkansas. The dinner will be held at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. In addition to the presentation of the Heflin Award, the Y will recognize the graduating class of the YMCA Young Leaders Program, and celebrate the YMCA's 125th anniversary. Tickets for the dinner are available by calling Kerri at 758-3170. |
Women & Children First
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Arts & Appetizers is April 22nd at Rockston's in Little Rock from 5:30 - 7:30. Admission is $20. The featured artist - Matt Coburn is donating 25% of the proceeds of purchased artwork and will go directly to Women & Children First.
Cabaret in May is Saturday, May 22, 2009 beginning at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception and silent auction. It will be a "Caribbean Casual" party hosted poolside at the beautiful home of Chip and Cindy Murphy where guests will be surrounded by lush green plants and shimmering blue waters. The cocktail buffet will offer a Caribbean themed menu and a variety of tropical libations. Guests will also enjoy live entertainment and dancing with Little Rock's hottest new dance band "Crisis". General adminission tickets are $75.
For more information on either of these events, contact Toni Mineo at 376-3219. | |
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