Staff Photo Nick Brothers
Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan speaks at the Compassion Fayetteville press conference to recognize the organizations that benefited from the donation, Monday, June 23.
By Nick Brothers
An anonymous donation of $11,000 was given, in total, to 11 Fayetteville non-profit organizations within the month of May. With the $1,000 donated for each organization, several of the groups are able to expand on their mission statements and give back to the community.
To celebrate the anonymous gift, organizers at Compassion Fayetteville held a press conference at the Fayetteville Senior Activity Center to recognize each of the benefiting organizations with facsimile checks. Mayor Lioneld Jordan also attended the conference to congratulate the organizations and he commented on the compassionate spirit of Fayetteville.
“This city is like a chain of love,” Mayor Jordan said. “It is a force that cannot be stopped.”
Many of the representatives from the organizations spoke of their gratitude for the donations and how they will use the money.
“Gratitude is the closest you can get to God,” said Anne Shelley, executive dirctor of Northwest Arkansas Rape Crisis Center. “When I saw that check on my desk, it felt like I was in heaven.”
Compassion Fayetteville, an initiative developed from the Fayetteville Forward Economic Accountability Council’s Inclusion Group, is a cooperative effort by a group of citizens who are volunteering their time to increase awareness, encourage and promote a culture of compassion through identifying, supporting and initiating new compassionate actions in Fayetteville. All individuals, groups and organizations are welcome to participate, according to their mission statement.
The organizations that received the $1,000 are:
- Feed Communities and Feed Fayetteville
- Washington Plaza Apartments Residents Council – will use funds for children’s summer lunches and developing ways to engage the children residents.
- Tri Cycle Farms – Director Don Bennet used the funds to buy the Rock House across the street and start new programs on the farm.
- Seven Hills – plans on using funds for further service, programs and assistance in moving people out of homelessness.
- Habitat for Humanity – will use all funding for assisting the building of homes with family partners.
- Yvonne Richardson Community Center – plans on using the money to develop more programming.
- Economic Opportunity Agency Head Start – will buy electronic devices for children’s education to see how lower income children compare to those with higher income.
- Peace at Home Family Shelter – the $1,000 will be able to fund 16 nights of safe shelter. “One of those 16 nights could be the night that saves their life,” said Jamie Kern, who accepted the award on behalf of the organization.
- NWA Rape Crisis Center – will use the money to buy necessities kits they give to women when they come in, as well as medical needs and clothes.
- Fayetteville Senior Activity Center – the donation will help keep the center operating.
- Compassion Fayetteville – plans on using the money to assist in spreading awareness of compassionate acts in Fayetteville.
