Arkansas Society of American Revolution donate $47,000 to vets’ cottages in Jonesboro

Northeast Arkansas

by George Jared ([email protected]) ago 6 views 

The Arkansas Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (ARDAR) has made a $47,000 donation to the Veterans’ Cottages in Jonesboro. A collaborative effort among the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University and the Beck Center for Veterans, the cottages offer transitional housing for veterans in need.

Part of ARDAR’s mission is to support active-duty service members and veterans of the military, state agent Gale Markley said.

“Historically, state regents selected projects to benefit causes in the central and northwest areas of the state. This is the first time a project was selected that benefits the northern and northeast parts of the state,” said Markley.

“She (Markley) made the Veterans Cottages her personal project, which they allow them to do to raise funds,” said C.H. Overbay, who is secretary of the advisory board for the Beck Center for Veterans. “Since the cottages opened in 2021, the ARDAR has repeatedly helped with different projects. They have supplied Christmas gifts and any needs that existed. Almost every year, they do something to assist the Veterans Cottages.”

Retired Brig. Gen. Keith Klemmer, who is chair of the Beck Center for Veterans board of directors at A-State, said the Beck Center has become one of the primary organizations for veterans in this region, and he is happy to have this opportunity to continue to provide this needed support.

“This way we can grow community support because there are challenges with the community and understanding our veterans. As times change, so do the needs for our veterans,” said Copenhaver. “This $47,000 is a big boost for the cottages, but more importantly, for the ultimate concern, our veterans.”

Overbay said there are no restrictions on what the funds can be used for but said this donation will be a huge help for the cottages.

“I plan to sit with the team and hopefully Gale to ask what her vision is,” said Jana Haskins, director of the Beck Center for Veterans.

The Beck Center for Veterans, established in 2007 by Buddy and Charlotte Beck, is a non-profit agency that works to provide services to supplement the needs of veterans who are eligible for government benefits and fill in gaps where they exist.

The Daughters of the American Revolution is a non-profit, non-political service organization made up of female volunteers. The organization, founded in 1890, is dedicated to historic preservation, education and patriotism. The ARDAR was organized in 1923 and is host to 39 chapters across the state.

Helping organizations like the Veterans Cottages is just one of many projects the ARDAR participates in each year.

“All Arkansas DAR members and chapters contributed to this project, not just one chapter, but all 2,200 members in the state,” Markley added.