Little Rock, Arkansas – In the true spirit of the holiday season, various organizations in Little Rock have joined forces to make a significant difference in their community. This collaborative effort, centered around a toy drive and more, exemplifies the power of unity and giving back.
The event was hosted by Uptown Barbershop, marking their first foray into organizing a toy drive. Antwon Smith, the owner of Uptown Barbershop, emphasized the initiative’s intent: “We’re just trying to bring the community together on something positive. You know… And we want them to come out and see that… Everybody not doing bad things. Some people are actually helping the community.” This sentiment captures the essence of their mission – to foster a sense of community and goodwill.
Collaborating with the Pettus Foundation, Certified Pies, and other local entities, the drive provided the community with much-needed resources. The outreach included not just toys but also food, gifts, haircuts, and an opportunity for residents to network and connect within the Little Rock area.
Smith further elaborated on their mission: “Basically, everything we are doing is just to help better the community. A lot of people talk about what they do and what they gone do. We actually put something in play and actually start… You know… Working towards it.”
Sims Strategic Mentoring also played a pivotal role, introducing youth to the importance of community involvement. Walter Sims, the founder of the program, noted, “It was important to bring them out here to show them how to be a part of the community… How to be able to get involved and what’s important in the community.”
Chanan Ministries, led by Cynthia Camp, focused on inclusivity, extending support to children and adults with special needs. Camp shared, “This community is more than that, it’s people that really care and I feel like that’s what my ministry and also other people’s in here. We’re trying to get us all to come together as one.”
Kris Pettus, founder of the Pettus Foundation, summed up the event’s ethos: “I mean this is the season of giving, so we all just need to come and give a helping hand. That’s all I’ve got to say. Be joyful.”
The collective hope of these organizations is to inspire a continuous cycle of generosity, extending beyond the Christmas season and fundamentally impacting lives in Little Rock for the better.
