Bost Inc. celebrates 50 years of ‘guiding lifetime opportunities’

story and photos by Linda Kaufenberg

Celebrating its first 50 years, Bost held a dinner Thursday night at Golden Living Dining Center in Fort Smith with more than 200 in attendance.

According to the Bost Web site: "In 1959 Dr. Roger Bost, a pediatrician in Fort Smith, Arkansas, had a vision for special children. Working with a group of concerned parents, a school for children with developmental delays and mental retardation was formed.  Today, Bost, Inc. is an outgrowth of Dr. Bost’s dream. It has become the regional leader in Western Arkansas for services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and other related conditions.  Currently, the agency touches over 700 men, women, and children with disabilities on a daily basis in Western Arkansas with a wide range of services and programs.”

Today there are Bost Inc. offices in Bentonville, Harrison, Russellville and Hot Springs beginning July 1. A new day program will open in Dardanelle during July.

Even though Dr. Roger Bost and his wife were unable to make the trip from Little Rock, he made a video which was shown at the beginning of the evening. Dr. Bost said he had many long, rich and wonderful memories of their time in Fort Smith.

"I congratulate and commend the thousands of people who have been or are now involved with Bost," Dr. Bost noted. "In 1959 from a tiny acorn (only six clients) a giant oak tree has grown (now serving 700 consumers in 33 counties)."

Dr. Bost also mentioned the tremendous support given by the Junior Civic League over the years.

"I think they emptied their treasury to get this program started," he said.

Dr. Bost said he and his family devoted a period of their lives to Fort Smith and they are particularly proud of their involvement in Bost.

A surprise award was given to Kent Jones, executive director of Bost since 1986, by Pam Cloud and Debbie McClure, members of the Junior Civic League. The Dr. Roger Bost Honor Award is given to a person who is instrumental in carrying out the vision  of Dr. Bost.

"If Dr. Bost planted the acorn," Cloud said, "then Kent Jones has nurtured and helped that tree to grow."

In memory of Jolene LeRoy, former director of client services, a scholarship was presented to Jimmy Ebner. Ebner has been in the waiver program for 10 years and  now lives in his own apartment. He will use some of the scholarship money for dental work.

Also recognized at the event were volunteers who serve on the Bost Board of Directors and Trustees of the Bost Foundation. Outgoing member Rich Beaulieu and Foundation Trustees Rick Beauchamp, Christine Davis, Carol Harper and Peggy Hadley were presented plaques.

In addition, Allyn Donabauer was presented a Bost Lifetime Achievement Award for his nine years of service on the foundation board. Employee recognition included those who worked on achieving the CARF three-year accreditation, long-term empoyees and Employees of the Month and Year.