RISON - The Cleveland County Cares fund is launching its annual fundraising campaign, marking a holiday tradition that provides much-needed support to local children and families.
Although the emphasis is often on Christmas, the non-profit organization, which is a 501(c)(3) operating under the umbrella of the Pioneer Village, is a year-round lifeline for those in the county.
Former DHS administrator Malinda McKnight, organizer behind Cleveland County Cares, joins the latest episode of the Free Range Conversations podcast to talk with Britt Talent and Douglas Boultinghouse about the history of the project, and why funds are especially important this year.
The full episode is streaming now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and ClevelandCountyHerald.com
The fund began as a DHS employee initiative to buy Christmas gifts for foster children but has since grown dramatically, covering the entire county, including the Woodlawn and Kingsland areas.
It has since expanded outside of DHS and now operated under the Pioneer Village.
The program operates strictly by referral to ensure help reaches those most in need.
"It's 100% by referrals through a school, through a social worker. Someone who knows the true need," explained McKnight.
Primary referrals come from teachers, pastors, and the health department.
McKnight highlighted the emotional impact of the work, recalling a grandmother who had been referred: "She said, you're the first person who has ever offered to help me in any way with these kids."
"That that breaks your heart and makes your day at the same time."
The goal of the Christmas effort is to ensure children have gifts to share with their peers.
"Our goal is for kids to be able to go back to school after Christmas break and talk about what they got for Christmas, just like everybody else," McKnight said.
Recipients receive new clothing, shoes, toiletries, and gifts they specifically request, such as Legos or even a television. Younger kids (grades 1-6) are taken shopping at Camden Walmart by volunteers, while teenagers (grades 7-12) shop at an outlet mall in Little Rock for fashionable, name-brand clothes.
The Cleveland County Cares fund’s activities extend past December. They recently started a discreet clothes closet at the elementary school to help students who arrive with ill-fitting or damaged clothing, or who experience accidents.
The fund also provides food boxes and helps families suffering from disasters throughout the year, or during the summer months when kids do not receive free meals at school.
The non-profit relies on community support, including from dependable local churches.
Two major fundraising events are planned:
A Pulled Pork Lunch and Bake Auction will be held Sunday, Nov. 23, at Rison Baptist Church following the 11 a.m. service.
The lunch is by donation and will feature a bake auction with desserts often bringing in competitive bids.
Christmas Bingo will take place Thursday, Dec. 4, from 5-7 p.m. at the Pioneer Village as part of the “Christmas in the Village” event.
Boultinghouse noted that the popular bingo event, which offers a variety of prizes, can raise around $600-700 on the night.
The cost to play bingo is $1 per card. Prizes range from baked goods, gift certificates and donated items from local businesses.
“We play until we run out of prizes,” McKnight said.
With the hard economic times leading into the holiday season, McKnight said she knows there may be a greater need for support this year.
Boultinghouse noted that over the last few years, the number of kids and families the Care Fund has supported has steadily increased each year.
Donations to the Cleveland County Cares fund can be dropped off at the Herald office, 215 Main Street in Rison, or mailed to: Cleveland County Cares Fund, 10050 Highway 35 North, Rison, AR 71665.