Volunteers move operations forward
‘Small army’ helps nonprofit organizations thrive in Bella Vista
Some say it’s fun, others may call it helping others.
Leaders with local nonprofit organizations say that having a committed and steady fleet of volunteers is critical to their operations.
“We would be lost,” said Cancer Challenge Event Coordinator Kerry Keilman. “It takes a small army. We couldn’t do what we do.”
Now in its 24th year, Cancer Challenge officials lean heavily on the 250 volunteers from Bella Vista who take the ball and keep operations moving forward.
“They pretty much run it,” Keilman said. “All the volunteers are vital for our operations. The Bella Vista community has welcomed us all 24 years, and without the community and the volunteers, we couldn’t exist.”
The Cancer Challenge’s purpose is to advocate and support world-class cancer care in northwest Arkansas. Since its inception, the Cancer Challenge has contributed $12.2 million for cancer care and services, and provided more than 375,000 people with financial help, educational assistance or counseling assistance, Keilman said.
With only three paid staff members, the “volunteer army” is the backbone of the operation.
“It is our existence,” he said.
Of the 250 volunteers from Bella Vista, approximately 10 to 15 volunteers are 20-year-plus volunteers.
In the 24-year volunteer level, three couples come to mind: Larry and Peg Pfeifer, Rod and Arlene Alford, and Dick and Joyce Jebsen.
“They are the ideal volunteers,” Keilman said. “They are always there and they do whatever needs to be done.”
Across town, local recycling officials say it would be fairly difficult to recycle six million pounds of material this year — if it weren’t for nearly 400 volunteers who share their gifts of time.
Of those 394 volunteers, nearly 100 are 15- to 20-year volunteers, said Bella Vista Recycling Center Director Lou Stirek.
The volunteers help in a variety of ways, from sorting, driving and picking up cardboard, to helping the public donate their recycled goods. Some older people wanting to donate sometimes need help with unloading or sorting, he said.
The center, which recycled five million pounds last year, is on track to recycle six million this year, he said. He’s seen a 20 percent uptick in cardboard recycling, as more businesses take advantage of a free pick-up service provided by volunteers.
Stirek builds a corral behind each business, so that the cardboard doesn’t fly away. The corrals are built for free and the pick-up service is offered at no cost.
“I can’t keep up with building them,” Stirek said.
Along with that growth, Stirek has a lean paid staff of six employees. The 394-volunteer corps provides a huge financial – and efficiency – impact on the operation.
“We can’t afford to hire that many people,” he said.
Those who volunteer can call the center at 479-8555343 and choose their time, their day and the amount of time to help. “We are real, real flexible,” he said.
Those who volunteer receive $6 an hour toward the charity of their choice, Stirek said. That way, the center gives back to the community.
In Bentonville, Crystal Bridges also experiences a small army of helpers, many who stretch themselves into all kinds of roles that are needed to help foster art, the area’s natural resources, tourism and a friendly, welcome atmosphere.
“Crystal Bridges strategically emphasizes the importance of volunteerism to our success, and like every other nonprofit, the time our volunteers gift to us is immeasurable,” said Jennifer Dunham, Crystal Bridges volunteer services manager.
The numbers speak for themselves.
Since 2010, Bella Vista residents have contributed almost 50,000 hours to the Crystal Bridges Museum. The museum opened in November 2011, but volunteer hours and a system to track them began back in 2010, Dunham explained.
The numbers are “such an amazing show of support for all we are trying to accomplish at our museum,” Dunham said.
“They do this by greeting guests, giving tours, helping with school visits, working in our library, working in our store, maintaining our trails and grounds, as well as helping in a variety of capacities with innumerable events,” she said.
“They make a difference in my life every day, and I love hearing about the impact they are having on our guests daily.”
Since the museum opened, Bella Vista volunteers – as a whole – make up approximately 20 percent of the overall volunteer corps.
Dunham said that number is currently a little higher. Of the 615 volunteers, 144 are from Bella Vista.
“One of our core values at Crystal Bridges states, ‘We perpetuate the honored tradition of sharing and hope to inspire others to give’ … and give they do.
“The same volunteers have contributed slightly more than 3,500 hours of the just over 10,000 hours gifted to the museum thus far in 2017!” she said.
As the museum continues to attract nationwide attention, the support for additional volunteers grows as well.
“Even with the amazing gift of time I have referenced, we could double the number of volunteers we currently have and still not fill every need,” Dunham said.
To volunteer, apply online at crystalbridges.org/ volunteer, or call Dunham at 479-418-5734.