“Nobody can do it all. But everyone can do something.” ~ Anonymous

Why not pick one of these ways to express your gratitude to God and love for others .. and pursue it this week? If you’ve been especially blessed, pick two!

River City Seeks Medical Professionals, Other Volunteers    

            WHAT: A FREE MASS HEALTH CLINIC
            WHEN: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21ST
                       2 shifts, 11am-3 and 3 to 8pm
            WHERE: STATE HOUSE CONVENTION CENTER, DOWNTOWN LITTLE ROCK
            WHO:  NEED MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, DRS. NURSES, LAB TECH,
                       PHARMACISTS, PHARM-TECHS, ETC.....
                       NON-MEDICAL VOLUNTEERS TO HELP WITH SUPPORT AND
                       LOGISTICS (exception- no dental)         
                      
             WHO IS ELIGIBLE: AGES 6-65, WITH NO INSURANCE, MUST PREREGISTER
                                          BY PHONE OR INTERNET(SEE ATTACHED FLYER)
             WHY: THOUSANDS OF ARKANSANS ARE WITHOUT MEDICAL INSURANCE
                       MEDICARE, OR MEDICAL BENEFITS AND NEED MEDICAL CARE.
             HOW: THROUGH A VOLUNTEER COOPERATIVE EFFORT, A ONE TIME      
                       CLINIC WILL OFFER HEALTH CARE, TREATMENT, AND COUNSEL.
                       FOR THOSE IN NEED, AND WILL OFFER OPPORTUNITIES TO
                       CONNECT THEM WITH CHARITABLE MEDICAL CLINICS FOR
                       CONTINUEING MEDICAL CARE.
 
This event is sponsored by the National Association of Free Clinics, of which River City Ministry is a member. It is also supported by the Arkansas Association of Charitable Clinics, of which we are also a member. The NAFC is doing a series of these events in a few cities in America, and Little Rock was chosen as one of those.
 
We need everyone's help for this to be a success.
 
Please save this date on your calendar, determine which shift will fit in your schedule and go to the website and register as a volunteer. All medical volunteers must be registered by Nov. 17th. It is not necessary to respond to this email, but it is necessary to register.
 
Again, all volunteers must register ahead of time, by web or by phone info provided .
see attachment or www.regonline.com/LittleRockCARE.
All patients must register, by phone or by web at info provided.
 
Please forward this email to people in your church, professional, or civic groups so that it can be as widely read as possible. Time is of the essence for medical volunteers to register. The event can not take place without sufficient volunteers.
 
Attached please find information for Volunteers and for potential patients .
Web sites and phone numbers are included.
 
As we approach the Thanksgiving and Holiday season, please consider this opportunity to serve those less fortunate in our community.

Thank You!
Paul Wilkerson
River City Ministry

Goodwill Needs Accountants

11/3/2009 - Volunteers are needed to help provide tax preparation assistance to low-to-moderate income taxpayers through Goodwill Industries of Arkansas' Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA).  The VITA site will run February to April 2010 for two days a week from 11:30am to 3:30pm or 3:00pm to 7:00pm.  Volunteers are asked to work 4 shifts.  Contact Tiffany Greenway for additional information - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Sleeping Bags Asked

10/15/2009 - If you have sleeping bags that might be of benefit to the homeless this winter, please contact Kathy Maxwell at 501-416-0387 to donate them.

 
English as A Second Language Tutor Needed

10/8/2009 - The Monday night ESL classes that meet at the Geyer Springs church  building are in need of an ESL tutor.  We have seen a big increase in Hispanic students wanting to learn English.  We have 3 classes and need to start another beginner class. This is a wonderful outreach and a very rewarding thing to do. Also there is a tutor training session on Saturday, November 7 and 14 at the Main library for those who have never tutored.  The number is 372-READ. You  can use my name and number 228-9553 as a contact person.  Thanks! 

 
Volunteers Needed at Presbyterian Village

10/8/2009 - We are in great need of volunteers who ware willing to escort residents to doctor appointments with our driver. If you can help in this area, please contact our Social Worker, Roxane Davis, at 501-225-1615, ext. 22.

(or anyone who wants to help)

10/8/2009 - The mission of Campus Ministries is to spread the Gospel at state universities and to be a haven for Christians to go and relax, study, etc. Pleasant Valley supports 5 of these mission points throughout the state of Arkansas and we need volunteers to help drive awareness of this mission. These campus ministries are at Arkansas Tech, U of A-Fayetteville, U.C.A, Arkansas State and U of A-Monticello. This will not require a lot of work or extra hours and is extremely rewarding. If you are an alumni of a campus ministry at a state university or just want to be involved in this ministry, please contact Trey Reed for more details (email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ; phone number: (501) 940-1376).
 

10/8/2009 - The Union Rescue Mission will be having a fall coat drive and PV will be an area drop-off location. Last year, they collected over one thousand coats. We will collect coats from October 19 - November 22. Please bring "gently used" coats for men, women and children and drop them in the wooden bins located at the entrances into the building.

10/8/2009 - River City Ministry depends on donations of things like toiletries for our homeless that come to the day center.   In the past months, we have been running very low on these toiletries and I was wondering if I could solicit sample soaps, lotions, shampoo, etc. from members who may have them laying around at home. For the month of October, we ask for trial sizes of toothpaste.  For November, we ask for razors;  December, soaps. We will have a collection bin there at the church and someone from River City would pick up.   Some items needed are:

• Soap
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Razors
• Shaving cream
• Deodorant
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Lotions
• Feminine Products

Due to most of our patrons being homeless, trial sizes are preferred, but we will take what we can get.    Keith, this would be an ongoing project, so I was wondering if this was something that could be mentioned in the bulletin.   Thank you.

10/15/2009 - Please help feed the children. The school provided breakfast and lunch for the children that needed help. Now that school is out for the summer, they may go hungry. Please help! Thank you for caring and sharing. ~ Carol King

• Canned Fruits: Canned Fruits, Cranberry Sauce, Dried Fruit, Fruit Cups, Fruit (Family-Size Cans)
• Meats & Meals: Beef Stew, Beef & Gravy, Chili, Hamburger Helper, Canned Chicken, Cup of Soup, Lunch Kits, Macaroni & Cheese, Pasta Meals, Peanut Butter, Ramen Noodles, Ravioli, Soups (Pop-Top Cans), Spaghetti-O’s, Spaghetti Sauce, Spam, Stuffing Mix, Salmon, Tuna, Vienna Sausage
• Snacks: Coffee, Cookies, Cheese & Crackers, Hot Cocoa Mix, Jell-O, Little Debbie Snacks, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter Crackers, Popcorn, Pudding Mix, Jelly, Saltine Crackers
• Breakfast Items: Cereals, Fruit & Cereal & Granola Bars, Instant or Regular Oatmeal, Pancake Mix & Syrup, Pop-Tarts
• Vegetables: Canned Corn, Canned Peas, Canned Mixed Vegetables, Dried Beans, Instant Potatoes (boxed), Sweet Potatoes (canned)
• Other: Cake Mixes, Cake Frosting, Flour, Fruit Pie Fillings, Pumpkin Pie Mix, Powdered Instant Milk, Sugar

 
Foster / Respite Care Parents Still Needed!

06/14/2009 - As summer gets underway, and the economy keeps pulling families down, we are seeing more and more children in need of foster care!  Think of the children who eat free lunches and breakfast at school ... let’s all pray for them to be fed!

There are 750 children in Pulaski County in need of family foster care!  Siblings are especially close to my heart, I can't imagine my children being separated if something horrible were to happen!  So many of these victims are removed not only from their home and parents, but from their siblings as well.  Can you help?  Even for a short period of time?  (Some families only do it during the summer.)

Some of us full-timers are needing a break too. Would you please consider becoming a foster family or a respite family (a family that keeps children for a night to two weeks ~ a family that can give a break, keep the children during a vacation or fill in if there is an emergency with the foster family.)

There are some wonderful families at PV that have been thoughtful enough to keep our babies so that I can watch my kids play ball and devote that "Momma time" just to mine.  There are so many ways to serve! 

Please give me a call, 951-9082, or Sarah Wade at Searcy Children's Homes 230-3420, or Mary Carol Pederson at The CALL 823-0607.

STEP Ministries

Here are some current opportunities available in the greater Little Rock metroplex, with contact information and needs of the charitable and service organizations:

ENCOURAGERS: Serve one hour a week in a public elementary school, tutoring two students (30 minutes each) during the school day. Encourager programs exist already in 20 area schools. STEP will train anyone who is willing to make this one hour a week commitment for October, November, January-April.

SUMMER PROGRAM: Serve nine hours in a summer program in Eastgate (NLR), at Silver City Church (NLR), or at Mosaic Church (LR). Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (3 hours each) in the evening or in the morning, mentoring one-on-one as you go through a Bible Study and participate in other activities. Field trip once a week. STEP provides training.

MENTORING: Serve 1.5 hours once a week as you build an intentional relationship with one student. Programs meet at all three of the above locations during the school year. STEP provides training.

SPECIAL EVENTS: Several times a year, STEP provides an event for the students and mentors. There is always a need for food donations, preparation, and service.

CHRISTMAS STORE: STEP, in partnership with River City Church, Silver City Church, Hispanic Church of Christ Churches in Pulaski County, assemble the Christmas Store, where parents who participate in the above ministries may purchase (at greatly reduced prices) gifts for their own families. For this effort we need donations of new toys (not wrapped.)

Contact Carol Martin

Groups can provide meals

• One time
• Once a month
• Once a quarter
• Once a year

If your group is interested, or for more information, contact Carol Schran at 758-1650 or Kim Clatworthy at 258-2839.

River City Ministry

River City Ministry is a place where churches, organizations, businesses and individuals unite in Christ to meet the real needs in the hearts and lives of those in the inner city. River City Ministry is a 501c3, faith based human service and community organization solely dedicated to the poor, the oppressed, and the outcast of our society. River City Ministry is staffed by six individuals, over 150 volunteers and is overseen by a Board of Directors

The mission of River City Ministry is to meet the felt needs of urban residents in Little Rock and North Little Rock in the name of Jesus. We seek to build capacity in individuals and families so they may provide for themselves. We are also helping to grow the Christian community in the urban area.

In 2006:

• Clothing bus provided clothing to 2674 individuals.
• Cafeteria served 7357 hot meals to people in need.
• Dental clinic served 403 people and families who otherwise could not afford treatment.
• Vision clinic served 179 people and family members who otherwise could not afford treatment.
• Medical clinic served approximately 780 uninsured patients.
• Medical staff administered over 3541 prescriptions to people who otherwise could not afford medication.
• Social Services assisted over 700 people with mental health services and resources.
• The Christmas Toy Store provided over 500 children an opportunity to have Christmas gifts.

Currently, our biggest need for volunteers includes Doctors, Dentists, Dental Assistants, Nurses, PAP workers (those who fill out paperwork to order medications from drug companies), and workers for Reception area. We could greatly increase the number of people we see if we had more medical volunteers. For instance, many days we may get twenty to thirty phone calls a day from people in pain needing dental work. Currently, we are only able to see around 30 people a month due to shortage of volunteers. You need not volunteer a great deal of time to make a difference. Many of our medical volunteers work one 4 hour clinic every 4-6 weeks. Any amount of training, skill, and time is needed and appreciated. Please email Janan at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call us at 501-376-6694 Monday through Thursday.

~ Crystal Musticchi Hogg This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Arkansas Rice Depot

We love to have groups of children work at Rice Depot. The jobs vary, right now we are putting labels on sacks of cookies and labeling canned veggies. Another task we will have is to sack up toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, deodorant and shampoo into gallon zip lock bags that we give out to families affected by tornadoes, fires and other disasters, and to children in school on our Food For Kids program.

We are always here during the week, and we work the 4th Saturday of every month. During the fall we’ll add another Saturday; usually it will be the 2nd and the 4th Saturday of each month. One Saturday a month we do a big food giveway in Altheimer Arkansas, and that’s a lot of fun as well. That may be a big of a long drive; as well as a culture shock for kids this young, but something your older teens might want to consider. We usually do a back to school give away there in August, so you might want to keep that in mind for the future.

We have a big fund and food drive going on; sponsored by Wal-Mart and Windstream Communications.

Wal-Mart and Windstream have each pledged $30,000 and will match all financial gifts up to the combined total of $60,000, for a potential $120,000 windfall for our Food For Kids Program.

In addition to our hope that churches will allow children’s group to collect funds after church, or have something like a bake sale, there is a food drive component.

Wal-Mart has agreed to allow us to collect food outside of Wal-Mart stores on September 8th. It works like this. The store will furnish a table, and Windstream will furnish banners and flyers. You set up right outside the doors (for big stores we’ll have a table at both doors). As people go into the store the children hand them a flyer and ask them to “shop to stop hunger” or to “buy food for a hungry child”. The flyer explains the program on the front, and on the back is a list of foods that we can use. Shoppers buy some food and donate it at the tables on their way out.

Your group just tells us the hours you wish to work, and we’ll do the rest.

If we do a good job this year, we think Wal-Mart might make this an annual event for us. If this is something you think the kids might like to do, it would be a great help to us. We are trying to feed 18,000 students each week by sending food home in their backpacks. I’ve already spent over $50,000 on food, and it’s enough to get us through a month or 6 weeks. We must have donated food to be able to reach all the children who otherwise go hungry at night and on the weekends.

~ Laura Rhea, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

(PV Singles have assisted with cleaning and service duties here in the past. Contact Kelly for more opportunities.)

- Kelly Caldwell, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it