The University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana Foundation hosted the 11th Annual Beads, Bags and Bangles Kids’ College Fundraiser on Thursday, February 23, at the Hope Municipal Airport. This year’s event had a “Block Party” theme featuring various authentic and unusual food trucks. The food trucks included Wunderbus of Conway, AR, which served German cuisine; Amigo Juan of Hope, AR, which served crawfish and pork street tacos; Loblolly Creamery of Little Rock, AR, which served signature ice creams, and Southern Salt of Little Rock, AR, which served Asian sliders, Jamaican pork nachos, and kabobs.
Over 300 people attended this year’s event and enjoyed entertainment by the Arkansas Circus Arts of Little Rock, AR, and Ramoth-Gilead of Tyler, Texas. Also, a beautiful “Today, Tomorrow and Forever Bracelet” by Charles Krypell donated by Alexander’s Jewelers, was raffled off with proceeds benefiting Kids’ College.
Jill Bobo, Executive Director of the UAHT Foundation, said, “I’d like to thank all the sponsors and everyone who attended the event for making it a success. Without your support, it would be nearly impossible to provide kids in our local communities with these educational programs.”
Sponsors for the 11th Annual Beads, Bags and Bangles Kids’ College Fundraiser included:
$1,000
Alexander’s Jewelers
Debbie Malek — Caney Creek Estates
Georgia-Pacific
Hope Floral
Joan McLean
Kathy Struckman — Fulton Grass
Pafford EMS
Penny and Chris Thomason
Robee Carter, DDS — Smiles of Arkansas
Tyson Foods
$750
Honeycutt Printing, Inc.
Four States Furniture
$500
AEP-SWEPCO
BancorpSouth
Coffee Family Dental
Hope Water & Light
Jamie Pafford-Gresham
Laurie Pinner — Mustard Seed Wealth Management
Southwest AR Education Co-op
Tonja and John Hays
Celia and Steve Montgomery
$250
AllCare Pharmacy
Anderson Frazier Insurance
Bank of the Ozarks
Belinda and Ricky Aaron
Betty Jo Hays
Bobo and Bain
Catherine and Jeff Cook
Christi and Whit Whitlock — B&R Building Supply
Debbie and Pat Henry
Diamond Bank
Edward Jones — Joshua Jones and Steven Mullins
Farmers Bank & Trust
Heather Manor
Ivan Smith Furniture
Jill Bobo
Judy Beth Davis
Kathleen McLarty
Kim Hollis
Lance & Associates Real Estate
Laura and Wayne Clark
Linda Ramsey
Lindy Franks
Martin’s
Phoebe Bailey
Powell’s Grocery
Providence Missionary Baptist Church — Full Gospel
- LaDell Douglas, M.D. – Quality Care Pediatrics
Rainbow of Challenges
Red River Federal Credit Union
Proceeds raised at the event will be used for scholarships and supplies to benefit the 2017 Kids’ College Program, Preparatory Academy, and Camp Save-A-Life programs. Kids’ College is designed for students in first through eighth grade. The 2016 program served over 250 children from Hope and the surrounding communities. UAHT’s Preparatory Academy and Camp Save-A-Life serves students in ninth through twelfth grades. The UAHT Preparatory Academy helps prepare students for the ACT college entrance exam. Camp Save-A-Life introduces students to healthcare professions. These two programs serve approximately 100 area students each year.
For more information about kids’ programs at UAHT call 870-722-8102.