Nine organizations in Bentonville received more than $150,000 from the Carl and Alleen McKinney Charitable Trust today.
The Carl and Alleen McKinney Charitable Trust was established by Carl and Alleen McKinney in 1997 and is managed by Arvest Trust Company. The Trust is to benefit the children, youth, elderly, poor and disadvantaged of Bentonville. Each year the trust distributes funds to local charities fitting these criteria and since its inception, have awarded more than $1.8 million dollars in grant monies for local charities.
On behalf of the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Foundation, Cindy Webb, director of the Northwest Arkansas office, accepted a $30,000 gift. The funds will be used for renovation of the Centers for Children in Lowell, and to facilitate the opening of a general pediatric clinic to serve the 9,000 children in Washington and Benton Counties who do not have a primary care physician and qualify for ARKids First.
Suzanne Jessup accepted a $7,000 gift on behalf of the Bella Vista Public Library. The funding will be used to purchase 350 books for the library.
Since 1958, the Benton County Sunshine School has been serving people in Northwest Arkansas who have developmental disabilities or delays and children who are "at risk." Leta Shockley, executive director, accepted the $10,310 donation that will go towards a matching grant to purchase a new handicap accessible school bus to pick up and drop off children 15 months to 5 year olds who attend a therapeutic preschool center.
Heather Hoyle, director of the Fort Smith Symphony Association, Inc., was presented $5,000 to support lodging costs associated with bringing an 80-piece professional orchestra to perform for students in Northwest Arkansas.
Teresa Mills, development manager, received a donation on behalf of the Helen R. Walton Children’s Enrichment Center for $39,432. The funds will be used to replace the fire alarm system at the school, which provides education and care for children 6 weeks of age through pre-kindergarten.
A $5,292 donation was presented to Debbie Studyvin, executive director of Horses for Healing. Horses for Healing is a therapeutic riding center for special needs individuals in Northwest Arkansas. The funds will provide scholarships for deserving children with special needs to participate in the Horses for Healing Therapeutic Equine Assisted Activities Program.
Lifeline of Northwest Arkansas provides a medical alert system to seniors and allows them to have greater independence and peace of mind. The $10,000 donation presented to Melanie Kettner, executive director of Lifeline of Northwest Arkansas, will fund the purchase of equipment for indigent clients.
The Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Benton County gives scholarships to help single parents become self-sufficient through a post-secondary education. Ladonna Penner, director of the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Benton County, accepted the $25,000 donation.
Youth Bridge, Inc. provides outpatient therapy and counseling, residential substance abuse treatment, emergency shelters, academic and social support, a therapeutic group home for teens involved in the juvenile justice system and a transitional living program for homeless young adults. Each year Youth Bridge serves more than a thousand teens and their families in Northwest Arkansas. Nancy Hairston, director of Youth Bridge, Inc., accepted an $18,000 donation to purchase office furniture and equipment for the new location of the Youth Bridge location at the St. Mary’s Non-Profit Center in Rogers.
Diana Smith, trust officer with Arvest Trust Company and Blaine Jackson. Ed Clifford, president/CEO of the Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce, Blaine Jackson, attorney, and Tabitha Lipscomb, Arvest Trust Manager, attended the presentation representing the McKinney Board of Directors.
Pictured (left to right): Tabitha Lipscomb, Ladonna Penner, Teresa Mills, Cindy Webb, Debbie Studyvin, Nancy Hairston, Heather Hoyle, Leta Shockley, Linda Brown, Melanie Kettner, Suzanne Jessup and Diana Smith.