Giving back

Fayetteville Springdale Elks

A firefighter’s children scholarship fundraiser was held at the Fayetteville-Springdale Elks Lodge recently. Elk member Bobby Odom donated the shrimp, crawdads, potatoes and corn on the cob and the firefighters served the food. The Lodge donated $500 labor in the kitchen and served the firefighters breakfast. With 270 people in attendance, the Lodge raised $2,703.

Children, homeless

For three decades, Mercy has supported communities by giving more than $15 million in grants to organizations that serve children, elderly, homeless and uninsured people.

That giving continues for the 30th year as 27 Mercy grants totaling $500,000 have been awarded to organizations across seven states. The funds will provide medical care, counseling, housing, meals and more.

Of the 27 grants, 19 are Mercy Caritas (Latin for “charity”) grants that support community-based programs consistent with Mercy’s mission and vision, as well as align with an identified community health need. The remaining eight grants fund programs supported by the Sisters of Mercy.

Local recipients include: ■ Hamilton House Child and Family Safety Center, Fort Smith: Provides services to abused and neglected children, especially those in foster care, and is designed to restore their dignity and improve their well-being. ■ Saving Grace of NWA, Rogers: Offers hope and transformation to women ages 18 to 25 who have aged out of foster care or who are facing homelessness, by equipping them with skills and resources that empower generational change.

■ Sisters of Mercy Reading Program, Fort Smith: Teaches reading to Hispanic children whose parents don’t speak, understand or write English.

Gravette Public Schools

The Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista Missions Committee collected school supplies this summer for Gravette Public Schools. The supplies, which were donated by the church family, were delivered to Glenn Duffy Elementary School on Aug. 8. Monetary donations were used to purchase backpacks and notebooks. Those making deliveries to Barbara Roberts, Glen Duffy School counselor, included Marinell Anderson, Missions Committee moderator, and Jo Dodd, Linda Ervin and Darrell Maples, Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista. Send information about charitable giving to ourtown@nwadg.

Courtesy photo Bella Vista Community Church’s contemporary worship service enjoyed the opportunity to “Serve the City” recently. They provided lunch to Bella Vista’s firefighters, police officers and first responders to show their appreciation for their service in protecting the community.

Courtesy photo Arkansas Crisis Center will be able to provide necessary training to their staff thanks to a $9,700 donation from the Arvest Foundation. The gift was announced recently at the Arkansas Crisis Center in Springdale. Stacy Matlock, Chris Thornton and Julie Shook of Arvest Bank were on hand to present the check to Emily Gilbertson. This donation will allow the Arkansas Crisis Center to become certified to train others in ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training).