Page 31 - 2026 VB Community Profile

QUALITY OF PLACE

“But now we have taken the steps to
form a 501(c)3 organization that makes
people more comfortable making their
tax-deductible donations toward the
effort.”
The Robert Jack VFW Post, named
after a World War I veteran who died
in combat in France, has grown to a
membership of 298 in recent years, but
according to Hicks, even with an average
monthly meeting attendance of 40-50
plus their Auxiliary, which numbers 20-
30 each month, the current facility and
parking lot are filled to overflowing.
The plan is to find a suitable location
and build a 20x100 foot multi-use
center that would include a basketball
court, an office for the county Veterans
Affairs officer, physical therapy and
meeting rooms, with plenty of parking United way of Fort Smith Area volunteers working at the annual Stuff the Bus event. Photo
to welcome the community to use it as courtesy United Way of Fort Smith Area.
well. for all. This is accomplished by: need to succeed.
“Our goal is to raise $500,000 to • Investing in programs that provide • Encouraging people to contribute
fund the purchase of the property and the education, childcare, shelter, money and time to improve the
construction costs,” Hicks continued. food, and other necessities people communities we serve.
“We have identified a couple of
potential sites, but still haven’t signed
any contracts as yet.” Helping families leave
Helping families leave
To donate to the Vision 2025 fund for
their legacy,
the new facility, you can email the Post their legacy,
one heartbeat at a time.
at RobertJack1322@gmail.com or call one heartbeat at a time.
(479) 208-1575. For more information
regarding the Post, visit their website at
vfw1322.org. 417 South 16th St.
United Way Fort Smith, AR 72901
United Way of Fort Smith Area has
played a vital role in the Van Buren FREE SERVICES OFFERED
community since 1928. United Way has FREE SERVICES OFFERED
led the community in identifying and
implementing funding programs that Pregnancy Tests
are both preventative and reactive in Limited Ultrasounds
the areas of Health, Education, Financial Medical and Adoption Referrals
Stability and Crisis throughout Crawford, Peer Counseling
Franklin, LeFlore, Logan, Sebastian, and Maternity Clothes Closet
Sequoyah counties. Monthly Baby Supplies Closet
Each year, individuals and families (Under 3 Years)
rely on United Way and its 31 partner Earn While You Learn
agencies to be a helping hand to those Parenting Classes
in need. Whether it is combating food INVEST Fatherhood Program
insecurity, providing prescription cost
savings, meeting the needs of the elderly, 479-452-2260
lifting individuals out of homelessness, hearttoheartpfcc.org
responding in times of crisis, and many
A non-profit(501c3) pregnancy and family
A non-profit(501c3) pregnancy and family
other health and human service-related resource center, supporting the needs of the @heart2heartpfcc
resource center, supporting the needs of the
needs within our community, United Way River Valley and surrounding areas.
River Valley and surrounding areas.
works to ensure a healthier community
vanburenchamber.org Van Buren Chamber 2026 Community Profile 31