Nonprofits invited to share their hearts’ desires

It sounds so simple — almost underwhelming, really. You run a nonprofit center for children, so you have a constant need for toilet paper, paper towels, snacks and bottled water. Your nonprofit serves pets which have been lost or abandoned, helping find them new homes. So every day, you need cat food, dog food, toys and treats, laundry detergent, dish soap and cat litter. Food pantries need nonperishable food — especially at this time of year. Agencies that serve senior adults need gifts to give them for the holidays. And those who teach literacy need notebooks, markers and volunteers. Sometimes, though, the needs do sound a little grander. Last year, Tri Cycle Farms asked for a chipper shredder and a fourpassenger, low-mileage truck. The Fort Smith Museum of History needed a portable dishwasher for events. And the Museum of Native American History in Bentonville asked for “an increase in visitor numbers, to rise from being a hidden treasure and have the community make it a destination for inspiring events and exhibits for all ages.” Northwest Arkansas is blessed with a large number of nonprofit agencies that, together, work to meet just about every need. But these organizations are supported by the generosity of the community. In the coming weeks — in keeping with a holiday tradition — the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette will share “wish lists” submitted by local charitable agencies. We invite you to email the following information to ourtown@nwadg.com for inclusion between now and Jan. 3. Organization name: What the organization does: Address: Website: Contact name & phone number: Wish list: Thanks for helping us help you to keep our community strong, healthy, entertained, enlightened and happy.

File Photo/DAVID GOTTSCHALK Northwest Arkansas is a great community in many ways. One of them is that because of the number of well-run, well-targeted nonprofits, the region’s residents do a phenomenal job of “taking care of our own.”