News ...

Cox Connects Day

Cox employees from throughout northwest Arkansas and the Ft. Smith/River Valley volunteered their time to community service for Cox Connects Day on the morning of Saturday, August 23rd.  Cox Connects Day is the company’s nation-wide day of service benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.  Locally, employees and family members worked on a variety of projects including painting, landscaping, cleaning and general handy work for the Jeffrey Unit of the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs.

"We appreciate the dedicated support of youth programs by our friends at Cox Communications" said Jerry Glidewell, executive director of the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs.  "Cox has been a valuable resource and we are grateful for their commitment in helping young people" he added.

Explore Arkansas Goes Exploring for Fun & Adventure

Deep in the Lee Creek Valley of the Ozark Mountains, a special place is tucked away, waiting for our Club members to discover.  With its deep crevices, mysterious caves, and striking bluff overlooks, Devil's Den State Park was the ideal place for hiking and swimming.  Members explored one of its many caves and crevices.  The longest of these is Devil's Den Cave (550 feet) and the Devil's Ice Box.

FSBGC Club members explored the new version of Lake Fort Smith State Park which has brand new facilities six years after the original park was flooded to expand a drinking water reservoir.  Deeply nestled in a wooded valley in the heart of the majestic Boston Mountains of northwest Arkansas is Lake Fort Smith State Park.  The park offers a beautiful Olympic-size swimming pool with separate diving well and fenced-in wading pool and an interactive visitors centers that Club members enjoyed.

Club members enjoyed the Alma Aquatic Center.  It is nestled in the Alma City Park, with the water park offering slides (two long, high, twisty ones into shallow water; and two short, straight ones into deep water), a diving board and a large swimming area.  There is a covered wading pool to protect tender skin, and a water play area.  The facility is staffed with outstanding Lifeguards, certified by the American Red Cross, for the "Safety" of our Club members.

Club members also kicked off their shoes, put on their bathing suit and dove into the fun at Muskogee River Country.  They smiled and relaxed in the whole-hearted, good-time atmosphere of water slides, river rides and beaches at River Country Family Water Park.

Stephens Boys & Girls Club members went to the movies and viewed the animated comedy about a lazy, irreverent slacker panda, Po, who must somehow become a Kung Fu Master in order to save the Valley of Peace from a villainous snow leopard.  Set in the legendary world of ancient China, this is the story of an unlikely hero, who enters the rigid world of Kung Fu and turning it upside down. Po ultimately becomes a Kung Fu hero by learning that if he believes in himself, he can do anything.  Fort Smith Carmike Theater donated a kiddy combo, pop corn, drink, & a fruit snack, to each Club member in attendance.
Photos --

15th Annual United Way Day of Caring:

The United Way of Fort Smith Area was blessed with interested volunteers who participate in the 15th Annual Day of Caring on Thursday, April 17.  The goal of Day of Caring is to mobilize community-minded volunteers and provide them with an opportunity to lend their time, talent, and energy at area non-profit organizations, cities and schools. One of the many teams of area volunteers painted the inside of the Goldtrap-Gardner Boys & Girls Club, while another team placed netting on the baseball field. The Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the hundreds of individuals who took part in the Day of Caring - We couldn't have done it without you.
Photos --

Drill Team Performs at UA Fort Smith

The three FSBGC Drill Teams combined and performed at halftime of the UAFS Lady Lions vs. Connors State College basketball game on Valentines Day. The team’s spirit and determination did not miss a beat when the girls danced in a heart-shaped formation for the fans in attendance at the Stubblefield Center.

The Lean on Me mentoring program also attended the game and each participant enjoyed popcorn and drinks along with meeting the Lion's mascot.
Photos --

CenterPoint Energy Presentation

CenterPoint Energy presented checks totaling in the amount of $900.00, matching the in-kind volunteer hours provided to the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club. Respect for the communities in which CenterPoint Energy operates is a core value upon which they have operated for many years. In being a good corporate citizen, the company works within our community and serves to enhance quality of life in the areas of community development, health and human services and education. Their involvement in these focus areas consists of strategic charitable contributions, volunteer projects, and safety and education.

FSBGC Displayed On Arkhola Cement Truck

Arkhola Sand and Gravel has teamed up with the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club, Morgan Nick Foundation, and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure to help make these programs in our region more visible. They have placed photos and logos on the side of one of its concrete delivery trucks for each of the recipients.

Fort Smith Kiwanis Members Serves Lunch

The Fort Smith Kiwanis provided their annual Holiday Hot Dog lunch to over one hundred-fifty FSBGC Club members on January 3, 2008. Club members chose how they wanted their Hot Dog from plain to with chili and cheese. Everyone had a choice of chips, drink, and dessert to complete the meal.

Kiwanis members also provides a free lunch for FSBGC members during Spring Break Week. The civic club also sponsors the Kiwanis Club Summer Camp which was established in 1938. It is estimated that more than 10,000 boys have attended the annual camp over the past 70-years. The Kiwanis are a sponsor of FSBGC athletic teams with their generous donations.

The Kiwanis Club was inducted into the FSBGC Hall of Fame in 2002, recognizing Kiwanis members for their ongoing support of youth programs in the Fort Smith Community.