The ³Õºº¾ãÀÖ²¿ partnered with a group from UALR to assist with flood cleanup efforts in Pocahontas, Arkansas, which began Thursday, May 18.
³Õºº¾ãÀÖ²¿ Bear Boots On The Ground was brought back in order to participate in this relief effort.
Volunteers met in front of UCA Reynolds Performance Hall at 5:45 a.m. on Thursday, May 18, and worked the entire day until 4:00 pm. The volunteers did not return to UCA until 8:00 p.m.
President Davis allowed UCA employees to attend without having to take a vacation day. He stated, “I appreciate anyone that is willing to represent UCA and participate.”
“I realize it will be a long day. You will be tired and your body will ache, but on the 2 1/2 hour drive back you will have a smile on your face,” said Gary Roberts, while recruiting volunteers. “When was the last time you smiled for 2 1/2 hours? Please sign up today. Your Arkansas family needs you.”
During the second day of volunteering, there were 13 UCA volunteers – 10 Bear Boots On The Ground participants plus 3 from ³Õºº¾ãÀÖ²¿ Baptist Collegiate Ministry – who worked on four houses in Pocahontas. UCA President Houston Davis joined in on the efforts as well!
Altogether, 20 UCA volunteers worked 2 full days (May 18 & 25) donating 235 hours of service. They worked on six houses removing drywall, insulation, kitchen cabinets, plumbing, flooring, and cleaning debris. ³Õºº¾ãÀÖ²¿ Bear Boots On The Ground had a large impact on many families in the Pocahontas area.
UCA extends a huge “thank you” to the following Bear Boots participants – President Houston Davis, Richard Hammond, Riva Brown, William Baker, Tchetahan Natogoma Silue, Malika Sylla, Zoheb Yunus, Sandy Ahne, Jennifer Boudreaux; and these individuals who worked two days – Misty Booth, Dylan Britto, Charlotte Strickland and Gary Roberts. UCA also thanks the three volunteers from Baptist Collegiate Ministry.
