Ronald McDonald House Charities of Texarkana recently donated $7,500 to the 2016 Kids’ College Program at the University of Arkansas at Hope-Texarkana. The grant is to be used for student scholarships and supplies for teachers. A check was presented by Celia and Steve Montgomery, owners of several McDonald’s restaurants including locations in Hope and Nashville, AR. These local restaurants help fund the RMHC donations by participating in the Donation Box Fundraiser Program. The Montgomery’s and RMHC have provided this grant to Kids’ College since its inception in 2006.
Kids’ College is a summer enrichment program offering stimulating subject matter to students in first through sixth grade. Each session is a week-long college campus experience that fulfills the need for positive summer activities, provides young learners with the excitement of learning, and introduces them to the campus and the concept of higher education.
This year Kids’ College will be partnering with Sciensational Workshops for Kids, Inc., to provide the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) program for 5th through 6th grade students. Sciensational Workshops for Kids, Inc., provides the highest quality programs to make science interesting, fun, and educational for elementary school age children in a hands-on approach. These classes will provide students with course work in robotics, engineering, aeronautics design, and much more.
Last year, 379 children participated over a three-week period and a record 140 students were awarded tuition scholarships totaling $9,800. Foundation Director Jill Bobo stated, “This would not be possible without help from Ronald McDonald House Charities of Texarkana and the Montgomery’s.”
