NonProfit Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) celebrated the winners of its 2024 Outstanding Partner Awards during the lunch break, a Statewide Fundraiser held at Little Rock’s City Center on October 17.
In total, the lunch break traveled over $ 85,000 to help single parents with low income stay in school, graduate and jump start careers with family support wages. The award program recognized ASPSF’s community partners for their extraordinary generosity and commitment to the success of single parents. Here are the winners:
The Excellent corporate partner winner was Simmons Bank. Since at least 2016, Simmons Bank has been a steadfast financial supporter of ASPSF who generously donated thousands of dollars to help fund scholarships and support services for single parents. Simmons employees also volunteer and serve in the nonprofit board. (Finalists: Southern Bancorp and Wear & Share Inc.)
The Excellent school -party winner, registration over 2,500was the University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College. UA – PTC’s unwavering commitment, both in resources and in the passion for its faculty and staff, is really in line with ASPSF’s mission to lift single parents and equip them for a brighter future. The school sponsors ASPSF events, work directly with their single parents -students and volunteers with ASPSF. (Finalists: Texarkana College and University of Arkansas on Little Rock)
The Excellent school -party winner, registration under 2,500was East Arkansas Community College. From financial support and student support services to advisors and marketing, EACC is a strong supporter who helps ASPSF promote a culture of education among single parent families. Over the past two years, ASPSF students have grown tremendously, largely because of the school’s actions to promote and support our mission to end single parent poverty. (Finalists: Arkansas Northeastern College and North Arkansas College)
The Excellent winner of philanthropy -partner was Edelma Simes from West Helena. Simes has been an unshakable pillar with support for ASPSF, which dedicates its time, resources and energy to the ASPSF cause with unique generosity and dedication for over 20 years. (Finalists: Freda Calloway and Mary Kate Snow)
In addition to the award program, the event included inspirational stories from the current recipient Raquelle Roulette and former scholarship recipient Kwami Abul-Bey. Keynote speaker Dr. Shermece Y. West-Scantlebury from the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation also shared a message about the power of education to transform life, uplifted families and create brighter future for generations.
A special thanks to the lunch break presenting sponsor Carol and Witt Stephens and Gold Sponsor’s Baptist Health, Cong Wealth Management, Little Rock Public Radio, Simmons Bank, The Rebamen Fund, University of Arkansas at Little Rock and University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College. A list of all sponsors is available online at aspsf.org/lunchbreak.
For media inquiries or further information, contact ASPSF Communications Director Jen Para at jpara@aspsf.org or 501-550-6304.
