Community News

A national staple in preventing drunk driving, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.) is constantly trying to make our roads a safer place. This month, our vending machine charity winner will use our donation to continue their education and advocacy against those who are impaired when getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. M.A.D.D. has also been a great local partner in the Free Cab Rides program around New Year’s Eve. Rainwater, Holt & Sexton is honored to support this cause as this month’s vending machine charity winner.

This month’s vending machine charity winner was Boston Mountain Fire Department. This group of volunteers works hard to protect the community in Washington County. As they are in need of up-do-date bunker gear, we are so glad that we can help with their needs. Their dedication to fighting fires and responding to accidents to the members of their residents is always appreciated. We know the sacrifice that first responders make to keep the rest of us safe, for that reason we are excited to donate to this wonderful group of volunteers.

Founded in 2007, Kappa Xi Sigma is a chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority that is committed to service in Conway and Faulkner County. Their aim is to enhance the quality of life within the community. Public service, leadership development and education of youth are the hallmarks of the organization’s programs and activities. Sigma Gamma Rho addresses concerns that impact society educationally, civically and economically. We are glad to award this month’s charity donation to these wonderful women.

This month’s vending machine charity winner was Canvas for Sardis United Methodist Church. The Canvas program was started by a small group at the church and has now grown to a team of volunteers that feed between 100-200 homeless on Wednesday nights. Money from this donation will go towards food and supplies for their work with the homeless of Little Rock. For these reasons, we are honored to help out Sardis UMC for their continued work in their service to their community.

Harper is an inspiration to us all. Diagnosed with a rare cancer at age 2, she has had to undergo multiple treatments and surgery to beat the disease. By the age of four she had dealt with more than most people deal with in a lifetime, but through it all she remains a happy, joyful child. The rare cancer was Isolated Myofibroblastic Neoplasm. An IMT of the lung represents an extremely rare type of inflammatory pseudo tumor that appears most commonly in children and young individuals. The cancer is so rare there are only a handful of doctors and only experimental treatments available. Harper’s Hope Foundation was formed to help raise money and awareness for the disease. We are excited to help Harper on her journey to improve treatment and find a cure for the IMT.

Grace Church is working with incarcerated men in Arkansas to teach them about authentic manhood using curriculum from 33 Ministries. These men are often forgotten by society while they are incarcerated, but Grace Church has realized this is a perfect time to work with and help rehabilitate the men, and teach them Biblical principles. We are grateful to our wonderful employee for nominating and selecting this great ministry as this month’s charity winner.

The vending machine charity winner this month is a free pantry at Conway High School run by Mrs. Certain. The pantry is available to any student and has a policy of each student taking what they need, and leaving what they can. Mrs. Certain started the pantry with the help of students after realizing that many students came to school hungry. Each school day the pantry is visited by kids that might not have breakfast, lunch or personal care items they need to have a successful school day. There is also a special place in the pantry for “take home” items critical for nights and weekends. Being a teenager is hard enough without the fear of not having adequate food and the ability to take care of personal needs. That’s why we are happy to support such an amazing project ran by a caring teacher like Mrs. Certain.

The Innovation Hub was created for one singular reason…to help people innovate! The downtown Little Rock organization is for adults and children and is a way Arkansans are dealing with the 21st-centruy economy. With so many changes going on technology and industry it is important for Arkansas to continue to innovate to attract and keep workers in the state. The Innovation Hub provides an incubator setting for businesses to begin. It may be people working in the arts, automated manufacturing, technology or any number of businesses, one thing remains the same. The Innovation Hub is there to help them grow. We were excited to give money to The Innovation Hub as a thanks for the work they do with entrepreneurs.

Every night The Van goes out in literal vans all around Little Rock to hand out supplies, food, water, hygiene products, and anything else the unsheltered might need. They don’t just fill there momentary needs though. Aaron and his team do a great job of being intentional in forming a relationship and getting to know the people they help. They get to know how else they can help them and work to identify and break the barriers to obtaining income and housing. The ultimate goal of the Van to help those they get to know move beyond homelessness. The relational work The Van does for the homeless in Little Rock is making a difference. We are proud to present them with a check for the month’s vending machine proceeds.

Children are always looking up to someone in their life, and it’s important those individuals are good role models. Unfortunately in today’s world, way too many boys have no male father figure in their life, or if they do they are not leading them in the best way. That’s where the Modern Day Knights program comes into play. Its goal is to bring fathers and sons together to facilitate and help them have those tough conversations needed in life. They also provide mentors to boys without fathers to put a good, steady influence in their life. The program uses Biblical principles to prepare these boys for life.

This month’s vending machine charity winner was the Family Resource Center of Grant County. The resource center serves the needs of the people of Grant County. Utility assistance, diaper programs, school supplies and the Angel Tree program are just a few services they offer to their fellow neighbors in need. We were so excited to learn about the Family Resource Center of Grant County, hear about their mission, and be able to donate to such a wonderful organization.

This month’s vending machine charity winner was Parkview Band. The marching band from Parkview Arts Magnet School in Little Rock can be seen at a number of events around the state throughout the school year. From athletic events to marching contests to several local festivals, the Parkview Band brings an exciting performance wherever they appear. The band did not let us down by doing their own miniature show for us at Rainwater, Holt & Sexton! We are excited to be able to donate to their hard work in fundraising and look forward to future performances.

The Children’s Protection Center exists to provide a child-friendly facility where professionals work together to protect and treat child abuse victims, work with their families to prevent child abuse, and to hold perpetrators accountable. As this month’s vending machine charity winner, we were moved by the work this group has done and continues to do from such a comprehensive approach. Children are the future of our world, and our hearts are broken each time we hear stories of abuse and neglect. The organizations like Children’s Protection Center are speaking up and giving a voice to those that are not traditionally given a voice themselves. We were honored to present them with a donation and thank them for all the work they have done.

This month’s vending machine charity winner is Live Thankfully. This volunteer-run upscale women’s resale shop features reduced prices on gently used brand name items such as jewelry, home goods, shoes, purses, and clothing. All of their profits are donated to local nonprofit organizations that help women and children in crisis. If you have gently used items to donate or just want to shop, visit Live Thankfully. The store is open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday.