VILONIA The largest percentage of children served by the organization Make a Child Smile is in Vilonia.
"Which tells you the need is there," said Tracy Stocks, president of MACS, encouraging members of the Vilonia Chamber of Commerce to join her efforts to help less fortunate children. While the primary focus of MACS is building self-esteem in children, they also provide hygiene items, coats, shoes and Christmas presents for children 15 and under, Stocks informed the chamber.
"The need in our community is huge," she added. "It's been a tough year. Christmas is hitting a little further up on the income level and we are seeing families who have never asked before."
Sixty five coats have already been handed out this year, Stocks said, by MACS with 45 going to Vilonia Middle School. As well, she added, the need is still out there for more.
"If there is someone out there who needs a coat or if you know somewhere we can get a coat, we want to know," Stocks added. The coats, she said, do not have to be new but must be in good shape.
"We don't need someone else's trash but if it is good condition, we can use it," Stocks added.
The organization began in 2001, Stocks said, when it was discovered that some children in a particular area of Conway needed shoes. The organization, Stocks said, helped 266 teenagers go back to school in August not being the "stinky kid."
Stocks anticipates the organization, through volunteers, will help 500 to 600 children during the holiday season.
The organization has several volunteer options as well as a need for individuals and families to adopt a child for Christmas. They are also in the market for monetary donations as well as just about anything new that anyone wants to donate, Stocks said. A partial list of items needed include: coloring books, sticker books, journals, diaries, school supplies, puzzle books, play dough, batteries, socks and undies of all sizes, books, Bibles, gloves, hats, shoes and hoodies of all sizes.
There is a "great need" for items for children 12 and up, Stocks added, listing a few including:
Boys: gloves, hats, brushes, combs, wallets, key chains, shaving crme, cologne, PJ's, house shoes, belts, tools, flashlights, watches, UCA or Razorback items and hygiene products.
Girls: gloves, hats, scarves, brushes, hair items, wallets, make up bags, lotions, shaving cremes, PJ's, house shoes, photo albums, frames, jewelry, watches, UCA or Razorback items and hygiene products.
An Open House is to be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. tonight (Thurs., Nov. 20) at the store front in the Conway Towne Center (used to be Hallmark Store). For information, call Stocks at 730-3336 or 932-0555 or e-mail her at tstocks@conwaycorp.net. Project coordinator Jessica Fallen can also be reached for volunteer opportunities at 932-0555 or email her at j.fallen@hotmail.com.
Monetary donations may be made at any First State Bank location or mailed to P.O. Box 263, Conway, AR 72033.
