Fort Smith, Van Buren recognized for volunteerism
by January 3, 2012 2:56 pm 62 views
Fort Smith and Van Buren are two of 12 Arkansas communities to receive the 2011 Arkansas Volunteer Community of the Year Award.
The awards will be presented at the Arkansas Municipal League’s Winter Conference, January 11-13, 2012, in Little Rock. A panel of citizens from across the state served on the selection committee.
The communities of Benton, Bentonville, Booneville, Clarkridge, Clarksville, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Heber Springs, Maumelle, Mountain Home, Quitman and Van Buren will be recognized for their volunteer efforts.
Booneville and Quitman will receive the award for the first time this year. Benton, Bentonville, Clarkridge, Clarksville, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Heber Springs, Maumelle, Mountain Home and Van Buren have received the award in the past.
As part of this recognition, the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department provides signs announcing the Volunteer Community of the Year designation. These signs are placed at prominent locations along highways near or in the winning communities.
“Cities and towns of all sizes in Arkansas depend greatly on dedicated citizens who provide services to improve the quality of life in their local community,” said Sherry Middleton, director of the Department of Human Services Division of Community Service and Nonprofit Support. “Volunteerism is a stabilizing and unifying element needed particularly during our present economic condition.”
A total of 356 awards have been presented over the 30-year history of the annual awards. Of the 129 communities that have been recognized, some have been multiple recipients. With more than 500 municipalities in Arkansas, award sponsors are eager to see more communities recommended and recognized for their volunteer efforts.
The Arkansas Volunteer Community of the Year Awards is sponsored by the Governor’s Office, the Arkansas Municipal League and the Arkansas Department of Human Services Division of Community Service and Nonprofit Support.
The Arkansas Department of Human Services Division of Community Service and Nonprofit Support promotes and supports volunteerism in the private, nonprofit and governmental sectors as a means of enhancing the quality of life for all Arkansans. Training and technical assistance for volunteer program management are available by calling (501) 682-7540 or (toll free) (800) 482-5850.
The nomination form for the 2012 awards will be available in January on the DHS Division of Community Service and Nonprofit Support website.