News

Arvest Foundation awards grant to CASA in Craighead, Greene, and Poinsett Counties

Arvest Foundation awards grant to CASA in Craighead, Greene, and Poinsett Counties

Arvest Bank in Jonesboro presents a check to CASA of the 2nd Judicial District. Photo: Contributed/Arvest Foundation


Jonesboro, AR – (Contributed) – The Arvest Foundation has announced a $4,000 grant to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of the 2nd Judicial District.

The grant will provide funds to recruit, train, and support volunteer advocates for abused and neglected children in foster care in Craighead, Greene, and Poinsett Counties.

Kevin Hufstedler, community bank president for Arvest Bank in Jonesboro, and Selena Barber, community marketing specialist, presented a check on behalf of Arvest Foundation to Angie Tate, executive director for CASA, Tami Dodd, advocate supervisor, and Donna Bell, Greene County supervisor and part-time supervisor for Craighead County.

“We are honored to support CASA,” Hufstedler said. “The work of CASA volunteers is so critical in the lives of abused and neglected children in our community, and we are proud to partner with CASA to support their volunteers.”

Founded in 1995, CASA of the 2nd Judicial District is a nonprofit organization that serves abused and neglected children in foster care in Craighead, Greene, Clay, Poinsett, and Mississippi counties. CASA volunteers complete 30 hours of training and advocate for children until they have reached safe and permanent homes.

Since the inception of CASA advocacy, volunteers have helped more than 1 million children find safe, permanent homes. Just last year, 93,300 advocates provided a voice to more than 271,000 children in foster care.

“Arvest Bank and the Arvest Foundation’s continued commitment to CASA of the 2nd Judicial District reflects the power of community partnerships,” Tate said. “Together, we are making a meaningful impact in the lives of children in foster care. With partners like Arvest Bank and The Arvest Foundation, victims of child abuse and neglect are heard, and we can continue changing the future of our community by changing a child’s story.”

About the Arvest Foundation
The Arvest Foundation seeks to provide funding to grantees who are actively working to create positive change for others. The foundation’s major areas of focus include: K-12 education, economic development, and enhancing the quality of life throughout the Arvest footprint. Learn more here.

This Week in Jonesboro

Music News

3 days ago in Music, Trending

Spotify Wrapped 2025 is here and Bad Bunny has dethroned Taylor Swift as most-streamed artist

The holiday season is here, and with it, a present for fans of end of year data and marketing: Spotify Wrapped is here! And Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny has been named its most-played artist for a fourth time, dethroning Taylor Swift.

4 days ago in Entertainment, Music

Apple Replay is here. What’s the No. 1 song on Apple Music’s 2025 songs chart?

It arrived in 2024. And it never left. Rosé and Bruno Mars' massively popular, Grammy-nominated "APT." topped Apple Music's global song chart in 2025 as the giant music streamer released year-end lists Tuesday and provided listeners with data on their own most listened-to tunes.

2 weeks ago in Entertainment, Music

The best new holiday music releases for 2025

'Tis the season to put on some brand-new holiday music. The best way to get festive is to sing along to Christmas classics new and old. But don't know what to press play on? We've got you covered.

2 weeks ago in Entertainment, Music

Jimmy Cliff, reggae giant and star of landmark film ‘The Harder They Come,’ dead at 81

Jimmy Cliff, the charismatic reggae pioneer and actor who preached joy, defiance and resilience in such classics as "Many Rivers to Cross," "You Can Get it If You Really Want" and "Vietnam" and starred in the landmark movie "The Harder They Come," has died at 81.

2 weeks ago in Entertainment, Music

Gary Mounfield, former Stone Roses bassist, has died at 63

Gary Mounfield, the former bass player of the Stone Roses and Primal Scream, two of the most influential British rock bands of the past four decades, has died. He was 63.