Volunteers step up for Community Involvement

The POA’s Community Involvement Committee was happy to welcome several potential members to its meeting last week. At the January meeting in Riordan Hall on Thursday, four new faces were around the table, bringing the total attendance to 15.

The committee has been in existence for about two years, chairwoman Janay Nutt said, but recently voted to change its name from “Young Residents’ Committee.” She’s one of the only members who has been with the committee for the entire time.

There have been two successful community projects this year. Last summer’s Fireflys and Tailgating at Blowing Springs Park was a committee project. It was an event created to appeal to both young families and retired residents, she said.

More recently, the committee collected 217 coats for needy families in the area, she said. Many of the coats were brand new. The donations refilled the “closets” at several area elementary schools where they are available for students in need. Some families applied to receive coats through the school, and the leftovers may go to a group in Bentonville that supports foster families.

Nutt asked POA recreation director Joan Glubczynski about special pricing at the pools for foster families, and Glubczynski said the POA sometimes works with families with unusual needs but it’s usually on a case-by-case basis. She suggested that a representative of the committee should talk to the Bentonville group about the best way to help foster families.

When the discussion moved on to goals, Nutt reminded the committee that part of its mission is to provide feedback to the POA about what members want. She suggested a survey.

General Manager Tom Judson promised to look at a 2013 survey that was part of an amenities study and determine if some of those questions can be used again. The findings of the 2013 study are available on the POA website, he said.

Another goal that Nutt suggested the committee consider is a Christmas event in 2019. She believes it will take two years to prepare for a new Christmas event.

Member Dylan Shaddox said he has been questioned about a Christmas toy drive and wondered if a toy drive could be incorporated into the coat drive next year. The committee agreed it was a possibility.

Glubczynski asked the committee if it would be willing to help with recycling at POA events. Her staff will do as much as they can, but they may need more manpower, Nutt said, adding that she would find some volunteers to help.