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The Foundation for the Mid South announced today the 2010 Do-Gooders winners. Foundation for the Mid South Do-Gooders was created to generate enthusiasm around the good deeds of nonprofits and individuals in the Mid South—Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. We received over 600 nominations when the campaign was announced.  The nomination pool was then narrowed to 18 finalists from the three states.  Through the Foundation’s website, the public voted over 2 million times to determine the six organizations receiving a total of $300,000 in grants in the region ($100,000 in each state). Each winner - or the nonprofit chosen to benefit from their selection - will each receive a grant of $50,000 to help further their work to improve lives. The Arkansas winners were the Balboa Baptist Disaster Relief Team from Hot Springs Village, AR and Kathy Findley from Little Rock, AR.

FOUNDATION FOR THE MID SOUTH DO-GOODERS
ARKANSAS ORGANIZATION GRANT AWARD RECIPIENT:

Balboa Baptist Church Disaster Relief

The Balboa Baptist Church Disaster Relief Team (BBCDRT) is a group of senior citizens who respond to disasters in Arkansas and surrounding states.  The team assists disaster victims by establishing feeding groups and clearing debris.  But the team is active outside of disaster and proactively seeks ways to be helpful in the community.

They are often called upon by individuals who live in Hot Springs Village to take down trees that have died or been damaged by storms.  They do this without charge and provide the cost of their equipment and supplies.

Recently, the Team learned of a disabled Vietnam veteran living in a renovated former stagecoach-stop in the rural area of the Ouachita Mountains.  The man's home had no running water.  The Team began a project to put a waterline to the house which had to be run 146 feet from the connection.  Inside the house, the team installed 140 feet of pipe.  The Team also purchased the water meter, and negotiated prices and purchased the supplies from Lowes, Home Depot and local business Caldwell Hardware.  All labor from digging to installation was supplied by the men, some of which are in their mid-seventies.  To address the veteran's disability, the Team installed a walk-in shower with handicap stool, connected an existing toilet, and repaired a lavatory.  Even after the project, the men are providing transportation for the veteran to his medical appointments in Hot Springs as well as the Veterans Administration Hospital in Little Rock--a 1 and 1/2 hour one way trip.

The Team is a dedicated group of compassionate men demonstrating how older individuals can make great contributions to their community.

FOUNDATION FOR THE MID SOUTH DO-GOODERS
ARKANSAS INDIVIDUAL GRANT AWARD RECIPIENT:

KATHY FINDLEY

Kathy Findley is a survivor of child sexual abuse.  She dedicates her life to helping children and young adults from abusive environments.

In December 2002, with only a $3,000 grant and no salary, Findley founded Safe Places: The Center for Healing and Hope.  The center provides support to those who suffer from the physical and emotional effects of violence. Kathy says, "We create safe places for children, young people, families, and for adults. Not just safe places in the community, but safe places inside themselves."

Dedication to her vision, sheer determination and perseverance have gotten her through difficult times-- from trying to acquire funding for the Center to staying up all night at the hospital with a victim of violence.

Kathy works extremely long days in work that is strenuous, emotionally difficult and not particularly well paying. In addition, she volunteers her time to several boards and commission, is a published author, and frequently presents at conferences.

Kathy is committed to making her community better and actively participates in city, state and national initiatives. Kathy has won numerous awards--most recently the 2010 Nonprofit Executive of the Year and the Arkansas Business of the Year awards. In 2008 she was selected by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society as the Arkansas Honoree for the 2008 Above and Beyond Citizen Honors--called the most prestigious civilian award in America.

Kathy Findley is a tireless advocate for abused women and children.  She has devoted her life to promoting nonviolence and helping survivors of sexual abuse, domestic violence and child abuse achieve physical and mental well-being.