Brightening futures

This year, every child who came to school at Pea Ridge schools had school supplies.

That is phenomenal, according to superintendent Rick Neal, who credits the work of Bright Futures and the community.

"Teachers were thrilled they didn't have to hound children to bring their supplies," Neal said.

"Every student started out on a level playing field," he said. "That's really big. If a kid walks in and he knows he has the same as everybody else, that's awesome."

School supplies were given out at a Back to School Bash held the last weekend of August at First Baptist Church with many contributions from Bright Futures and the community and more supplies were taken to school to be on hand the first day of school.

"Because of Bright Futures and what they did for kids ... kudos to Bonnie Fullmer. She was sending supplies to counselors. It was awesome," Neal said.

There are a record number of children attending school in Pea Ridge this year, Neal said, with from 1,820-1,840 students, but needs are being met thanks to Bright Futures.

Bright Futures was explained to teachers who were also shown what poverty, taking care of your fellow man and the needs of children looks like, Neal explained.

"The biggest thing that Bright Futures does for our community ... it unifies us. It brings us all together for the kids.

"It also instantaneously shows the impact of helping kids, of the needs that are happening with our kids," Neal said.

Neal said the before Bright Futures, there were "pockets" of resources and now, those resources are unified. "It's opened up the world of resources. Everybody wants to help kids."

Neal said residents should "like" the Bright Futures Pea Ridge Facebook page whereby needs for children are shared.

"Everyone should care about Pea Ridge schools ... they are developing the next generation of leaders, citizens of the United States, the taxpayers," Neal said. "That's the product we're producing."