Submitted by Kelli Kennedy
Thursday, September 25, 2025 was the annual Day of Caring. The core program was created and initiated by Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Clean & Beautiful Commission as a pilot program to be replicated each year as a way of addressing long-standing needs in each Ward in Pine Bluff. Clean & Beautiful took the idea and partnered with Ward 3 Alderman William Fells and Jason Duren of Southeast Arkansas United Way. We then agreed that United Way would use the program as their Day of Caring event for 2025 that starts their campaign kick-off next month. Clean & Beautiful then contacted the city’s grant writer, Ms. Tiffany Copeland, who was able to find grant funds to help with the cost of putting in new landscaping for the courtyard. So, in all, the program came about through a partnership of Clean & Beautiful, United Way, and William Fells with the City of Pine Bluff.
Who was involved in the project for the school:
Sherriff Lafayette Woods, Jr. with the County for delivery of mulch; GVI group (Group Violence Intervention) with unloading mulch; Gary Lloyd from United Way; Shell Ross for supplies and plants; Amanda’s Villa for supplies and plants; Terry’s Hardware for tools and supplies; Joseph Neese with Neese Lawn care for landscaping work and removal of rock mulch.
Workers on site:
Reverend Jesse Turner with PBICVR; Nora Durkee and Linda Bateman with Imagination Library; Keaundra James with SEARK College; three female athletes from SEARK; Simmons Bank had three female volunteers from different departments; Rose Kaczmarczyk from Keep Arkansas Beautiful in Little Rock; Roy Ferrell from West PB Rotary; William Fells Ward 3 Alderman; Kelli Kennedy from PB/JC Clean & Beautiful Commission.
Clean & Beautiful contacted Edgewood Elementary’s Ms. Julie Taylor and found the courtyard to be an excellent opportunity to address a long-standing need that would benefit both the school and the staff. Ms. Kennedy came up with the design plan for what would need to be addressed in the courtyard and what plants would best suit the area.
We at the commission are very grateful to have been given the chance to work with Edgewood Elementary and will continue to offer our support and help in the future as well. We believe the project was a great success and were happy to able to create many positive memories and connections in our community. We look forward to working with Edgewood in the future.
