PEA RIDGE — Going above the call of duty, some Pea Ridge school employees have begun a project they’re calling Heart and Soul, and that’s just what it exemplifies.

Heart and Soul was named by Pea Ridge High School counselor Randi Jo Hutchinson-Kelso. It was begun last year when school employees Cheryl Tillman and Val Colburn noticed that some children were in need of shoes and socks. Their crusade began.

The two sought donations and bought shoes and socks and gave them to the children, students kindergarten through fifth-grade.

This year, after learning of a need in the high school, as well, they expanded the program. The donations increased and they provided shoes and socks to students in all 12 grades, as needed. Heart and Soul provided for 132 children this year.

The Pea Ridge Optimist Club gave $500 last year and doubled that donation this year.

“The focus of the Optimist Club is kids - it’s all about the kids. This is a worthy project and we were glad to be able to help,” Merrill White, president of the Pea Ridge Optimist Club, said, explaining the increase inthe club’s donation.

“We saw the need. We didn’t advertise it,” Tillman said, “We just felt like we needed to do something.”

In addition to the money from the local Optimist Club, Heart and Soul received $1,100 from Wal-Mart, boys socks from Russell Athletics and girls socks from Fruit of the Loom. They also received private donations.

As to the children - “They’re ecstatic. They’re tickled to get new shoes,” said Susan Johnson, school aide.

“Our administration has backed us,” Tillman said, expressing gratitude for the school administrators.

“We plan to keep doing this.”

Tillman is a para-professional and Colburn is the school nurse at Pea Ridge Intermediate School.

Area, Pages 11 on 01/13/2010