Cristy Neighbors washes clothes at the Bridges new laundry facility. The group received a grant to provide laundry services for families who don’t have laundry facilities at home. PHOTOS BY DEAN CURTIS FOR LIVING WELL
“The mission is to remove obstacles
students face so they can access their education,” says Czanstkowski. “A lot of times that is due to poverty, but some- times it is beyond their control. We had a student whose house burned and he lost 90 percent of his belongings, and so we helped him get clothes, shoes, basic supplies. The needs are ever changing. We want them to access education, but want them to have self esteem, that goes hand in hand.” Bridges of Mountain Home is an ini-
tiative in the school district, entering its third year. The largest event is its Back to School Bazaar which served nearly 800 kids in its first two years. At the bazaar, children can pick up free school sup- plies, shoes, there are free haircuts, and vision and dental screenings. There are no income requirements, but students must be enrolled in the Mountain Home Public School District. This year’s Back to School Bazaar is
from 4-7 p.m., Aug. 3, in the gymnasium at Nelson Wilks Herron Elementary, 618 N. College St. Czanstkowski, who is also a special education teacher in the district, antici- pates even more students as this con- tinues to grow. The Back to School Ba- zaar always piggybacks with Arkansas’
12 ❚ JULY/AUGUST 2018 ❚ LIVING WELL
Shoes and warm coats are just some of the items that Bridges of Mountain Home provides for students.
tax-free weekend. When students arrive they are given a sling bag with the Bom- ber logo on it and all the school supplies are set up. The students get a list and go around and collect what they need. “It’s an event. The banks come and
provide food, hot dogs, snow cones, popcorn. The most coveted thing we do is the haircut. We have eight to 10 styl- ists that volunteer their time and work non-stop. The kids transform in the chair. They are so proud of their new hair cut. You don’t think about it, but a hair cut is a luxury, not a need, so many go without,” she says.
Want to help?
Bridges of Mountain Home is hosting its Back to School Ba- zaar is from 4-7 p.m., Aug. 3, in the gymnasium at Nelson Wilks Herron Elementary, 618 N. College St.
The Back to School Bazaar is still accepting vendors. It costs $300 to sign up, or a vendor has the option to bring 300 school supplies to be handed out during the bazaar. Hair stylists willing to donate their time at the bazaar are always appreciated. Volunteers are always appreciated to help with the bazaar or throughout the year, says Czanstkowski.
Bridges relies on partnerships in the community and would like to form a partnership with auto repair shops in the area.
New or gently used children’s clothing, particularly kinder- garten through grade 5, are needed throughout the year. Monetary donations are appre- ciated and are tax deductible. To contact Bridges, call (870) 321-3998. You can also watch the organization on Facebook as it updates its needs.
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