Toys for Tots names Yarnell leader
Kymberly Yarnell of Rison is the 2024-25 Toys for Tots Youth Ambassador in Cleveland, Jefferson, and Lincoln counties.
Yarnell and other youth ambassadors enjoy community service and helping others, according to a news release.
Since she was old enough to participate, she has taken part in community service activities through various organizations such as Eager Beavers, Adventurers, Girl Scouts, 4H, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary.
Some of Yarnell’s favorite service projects have been helping the Rotary Club with breakfasts at the fair, assisting at VFW fish frys, hiding eggs for younger youth at Easter, and helping her brothers complete their Eagle Scout projects.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Toys for Tots is the nation’s flagship children’s Christmastime charity, but the program extends to helping children and families in need year-round. The Toys for Tots Youth Ambassador Program was established in 2020 to celebrate the energy, enthusiasm and generosity of exceptional young people around the country who volunteer their time serving underprivileged children and help teach the value of service to others, according to the release.
A youth ambassador is a member of a select group of youth who serve as volunteer representatives of Toys for Tots by helping to inspire others with their positive interactions with community involvement with the Toys for Tots Program. They are nominated by their local coordinator and are selected to represent their respective regions for a one-year term.
Youth Ambassadors are selected to represent their local campaigns because they have gone above and beyond in their communities to help those less fortunate and engage community members on behalf of Toys for Tots.
Being her second year with Toys for Tots, Yarnell has been busy creating posters, brochures, and collection boxes. She has interacted with numerous community leaders such as Rison’s Mayor Charles Roberts and local business owners to let them know about the 2024 Campaign and provide them with posters to promote the program.
She also enjoyed helping with the first toy drive of the season at Pine Bluff’s Walmart Supercenter and thanks the Rison United Methodist Church for providing a temporary storage location for the hundreds of toys that will eventually be given out in December.
She is looking forward to collecting more toys at many of local community programs. Details: https://pine-bluff-ar.toysfortots.org/
UAM recital to celebrate composers
The Division of Music’s Music Theatre Workshop class at the University of Arkansas at Monticello will perform during the annual Students in Recital at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8 in the Fine Arts Center at UAM. The recital is free and open to the public.
Under the direction of Scott Bearden, associate professor of music and director of choral activities at UAM, students will perform ensembles in celebration of the 80th anniversary of Rodgers & Hammerstein.
“In 1944, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II’s first collaboration was the composition of “Oklahoma,” which is considered a remarkable milestone in American music,” according to a news release.
“Their partnership continued to flourish, ultimately becoming arguably the most successful collaboration in Broadway musical history. They composed many famous musicals, including, ‘Carousel,’ ‘South Pacific,’ ‘The King and I,’ ‘Cinderella’ and ‘The Sound of Music,'” according to the release. Details: UAM Division of Music, (870) 460-1060.
State Chamber/AIA launches Civics Bee
The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas launched the 2025 National Civics Bee®, an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities.
The event is hosted in partnership with The Civic Trust® of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, according to a news release.
Local partners include the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce, Magnolia-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, Rogers Lowell Chamber, Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce, and Sevier County Chamber of Commerce.
Middle school students from any region in Arkansas can submit an essay to compete in one of the local competitions hosted by these chambers. Each student may submit an essay to only one local competition, but they do not have to live or attend school in the region where they choose to compete.
Participants in the National Civics Bee® will have the chance to gain recognition for their civics knowledge and compete for awards, including prizes worth at least $1,000 for the state champion and $50,000 for the national winner.
The State Chamber/AIA will host the National Civics Bee® Arkansas State Finals on May 14. The essay submission period is now open. Middle school students from public, private, charter, and homeschools may submit an essay for a chance to win recognition and cash prizes. Details: https://arkansasstatechamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2025-Essay-Guide1.pdf.