As the holiday season approaches, community partners across Pope and Yell Counties are working together to make sure no family faces the season alone. Local leaders shared the many ways their organizations are meeting real needs—offering toys, food, clothing, and essential resources to hundreds of families.
This collaborative effort, known as the 100 Families Initiative, lifted up a powerful message of hope and unity.
Betty Baldwin and Jeanie Mars, longtime leaders of Toys for Tots River Valley, described a massive, year-round operation designed to make Christmas brighter for local children. The program served more than 6,000 kids last year, and preparation for the next holiday season begins almost immediately—Baldwin starts collecting toys the day after Christmas, watching for sales and gathering items steadily throughout the year.
Parents who apply for assistance visit the transformed Dardanelle Community Center, which becomes a full toy store where volunteer “elves” help families select age-appropriate gifts. Children typically receive toys of varying sizes along with books, stuffed animals, and stocking stuffers.
Demand continues to grow—especially for bicycles. This year, around 200 children have already requested bikes, a number far beyond what current donations can cover. Meeting that need depends entirely on community contributions.
Mars emphasized that every contribution stays within the community. All toys and funds collected in the River Valley directly support local children—nothing is transferred elsewhere. A full list of events and donation sites is available on the Toys for Tots River Valley, Arkansas Facebook page.
Kristi Potee, director of The Potter’s House clothing closet, shared that many children in the community ask for more than toys. Wish lists often include winter coats, shoes, blankets, or basic comfort items—needs that Toys for Tots cannot meet.
The Potter’s House fills this gap by providing clothing and essential items to children, adults, and foster families, offering sizes from preemie to adult and stocking basic hygiene supplies as well. Through a partnership with the Boys & Girls Club, families who attend Toys for Tots distribution will also be able to receive clothing in a designated space.
The closet responds to urgent needs frequently—house fires, emergency placements, or families with immediate clothing shortages. Potee often coordinates after hours to make sure families receive help quickly. The organization does not turn anyone away and relies on community support and social media to communicate ongoing needs.
Raul Torres of Main Street Mission outlined extensive plans to provide holiday food support for families in Yell and Polk Counties. The organization’s Thanksgiving and Christmas basket giveaways are among its biggest efforts of the year.
Beginning Monday, Nov. 24 at 11 a.m., Main Street Mission will distribute turkeys, hams, chickens, and full holiday meal boxes. Each box includes enough food to feed four to six people, with traditional side items and desserts included. Families need only bring a photo ID and utility bill to ensure fair distribution. With rising grocery prices, the mission anticipates serving as many as 400 families this year.
In addition to food baskets, Main Street Mission will serve hot Thanksgiving meals on Nov. 25–26 from 10 a.m. to noon. The mission’s hot meal program is open to everyone—seniors, families, individuals experiencing homelessness, and anyone facing food insecurity.
Beyond the holidays, Main Street Mission continues its work year-round as a major food distributor for the region, partnering with the Arkansas Food Bank and serving more than two million pounds of food annually. Several program changes are coming in 2025, and updates will be posted on the mission’s social media pages.
The holiday gathering reinforced a shared belief among all partners: supporting families requires the full community working together. Whether it’s a parent choosing toys, a foster family receiving clothing, or a senior enjoying a warm holiday meal, every act of service reflects the strength of Pope and Yell Counties’ collaborative spirit.
Local leaders expressed deep gratitude for the volunteers, churches, organizations, and donors who make these programs possible. In their view, the heart of the holidays is found in working together to meet the needs of neighbors.
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