THREE GREAT LOCAL CHARITIES WHERE YOU CAN SHARE THE LOVE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Christmastime is here again, and in addition to food, decorations and merriment, this time of year gets a lot of folks thinking about the less fortunate and those who don’t have as much. The work to help the less fortunate goes on year round, and here in Northwest Arkansas, we’re lucky to have more than our share of stellar non-profits that do the good work of giving people a hand up to a brighter, better future. 

If you’re looking to contribute or volunteer this Christmas season or in the new year ahead, seen below are details on three incredible charities doing great work right here in Northwest Arkansas. Whether you want to give of your time or a cash or material contribution, any one of these would be a great place to do it. They’re some of the best examples of the giving, compassionate…

spirit that makes Northwest Arkansas a great place to live, work and raise a family. It’s part of the reason why everyone at McLarty Daniel Buick GMC is proud to call this Northwest Arkansas home. From all of us: Merry Christmas, and a very happy New Year to you and yours.  

Laundry Love Northwest Arkansas

If you’ve ever been without a washer and dryer long term, you understand how tough it can be to keep your clothes clean. Tack on the added expense of using a laundromat — which, with washing and drying, can be up to $7 per load or more depending on the location — and you can easily see how many less-fortunate people in Northwest Arkansas often have to make hard decisions between food, rent and clean clothes to wear. Helping fill that gap is Laundry Love NWA. Part of a nationwide Laundry Love initiative, Laundry Love NWA is one of the efforts of the non-profit group Serve NWA, and seeks to provide people the dignity of clean clothes through monthly events at local laundromats, with access to washers and dryers provided free of charge one night of the month. Held at Rogers, Fayetteville and Springdale, these events also include a potluck dinner for volunteers and participants to enjoy while clothes go round and round in the suds. An all-volunteer service, Laundry Love relies heavily on donations of funds and detergent. A little of your time and money can go a long way toward helping people be proud of themselves and their appearance again. For more information or to contribute, visit their website at: servenwa.org/laundry-love/ 

CASA of Northwest Arkansas

Founded in Seattle in 1977, the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program has since spread all over the nation, training, recruiting and supporting people just like you who serve as decision makers and advocates for children in courtroom settings, including kids who have been abused, neglected, or who are currently part of the foster care system. Since 1997, the superheroes without capes at CASA of Northwest Arkansas have been fulfilling that mission in Washington, Benton, Madison and Carroll Counties, building relationships with the vulnerable children they serve, learning about their unique situations, and helping kids make the legal decisions that will literally shape the rest of their lives and help them find their way to a more peaceful future. If you have the time and love to spare, there is no specific background or education required to be a CASA volunteer, and they will provide special training in areas like child mental health, working with vulnerable children, and the psychological aftermath of abuse and neglect. If your circumstances allow you to contribute, CASA of Northwest Arkansas accepts tax-deductible donations of cash and other items. For more information, visit their website at: www.nwacasa.org

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas

Right now, think back on your childhood and recall that adult in your life who gave you a hand up, a pat on the back or a “good job” at exactly the moment you needed it. Along with loving parents or guardians, those are the adults who truly shape our lives. For over a century, Big Brothers and Big Sisters has been helping provide those life-changing role models to kids all over the nation as the oldest and most effective youth-mentoring organization in America. Founded in 1995, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas has spent over two decades strengthening families in Northwest Arkansas by providing mentoring “Bigs” to “Littles” ages 6 to 14 years old in Benton and Washington Counties. Together, these carefully-paired friends spend a few days every month doing rewarding, low-cost activities together like a day in the park, catching a movie or visiting one of our great local museums. In the process, these volunteers make a real difference in the lives of children, improving their self-esteem, relationships, and outlook on their future while helping them avoid pitfalls that can take their the lives in less-than-positive directions. Anyone can volunteer to be a Big Brother or Big Sister, and the group also accepts tax-deductible charitable donations to help further their mission. For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas, to volunteer or to learn how you can help, visit their website at: bbbsnwa.org   

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