Bentonville applies for Volunteer Community of the Year award

** This Bentonville press release was not edited by Ozarks Unbound **

Press Release

Date: July 28th, 2009

Mayor McCaslin plans to submit an application to the Arkansas Department of Human Services to nominate the City of Bentonville for a Volunteer Community of the Year Award. The Volunteer Community of the Year Awards are presented each fall. The Awards are co-sponsored by the DHS Division of Volunteerism, the Arkansas Municipal League and the Office of the Governor. The awards are designed to congratulate and thank communities as a whole (rather than as individuals within the communities) for their volunteer effort in serving their neighbors. Communities chosen for the award receive two signs designating the city as a Volunteer Community of the Year for that year. The signs are donated by the Arkansas Highway Commission and are placed at the City’s borders.

Bentonville has thousands of citizens who are outstanding volunteers contributing their time and efforts to help their neighbors and this community. These volunteers participate in and support activities sponsored by their churches, corporate offices and other civic and social clubs.

Mayor McCaslin said, “In order to fully represent the City as a whole in the application process, we need to hear from the organizations and groups that sponsor these activities.” The nomination statement asks that the community describe its volunteer activities and their impact on the community by answering several questions. Below is a sampling:

1.What is the approximate number of volunteers actively working in these activities? And what is the total number of volunteer hours worked?

2.How do these activities help address the needs of the community or city?

If you would like to have your organization’s volunteer activities counted or have any related questions, please contact Danielle Shasteen at (479) 271-6827 or via email at dshasteen@bentonvillear.com. The deadline to submit information about your volunteer activities is Friday, August 28, 2009.

If you’re looking for a way to give back to the community, we invite you to learn about the City of Bentonville’s new Volunteer Program. The purpose of the program is to serve as a portal to volunteer opportunities within the Bentonville community. Opportunities include volunteering to help pick up litter along the streets, parks, and recreational trails; assisting with dog park maintenance; and supporting Downtown Bentonville, Inc. by volunteering to assist with special events. To learn more, visit www.bentonvillear.com and select Bentonville Volunteer Program link under City Events / FYI or contact Planning Services at (479) 271-6826 or dshasteen@bentonvillear.com.

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