Poinsett County Democrat Tribune: Local News: Marked Tree named volunteer community of the year

Marked Tree was one of 12 cities in the state to be selected as a 2008 Arkansas Volunteer Community of the Year Award. Marked Tree Mayor Dixon Chandler accepted the award at a special presentation in Little Rock Friday, Dec. 16.

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Several Marked Tree volunteers traveled to Little Rock Friday, Jan. 16 to help the City of Marked Tree accept the 2008 Volunteer Community of the Year Award. Pictured are, from left: Front - Tommie Chandler, Mary Ann Arnold, Barbara Adams, Soozi Williams and Ruby Jean Boxley. Back - Dustin Hood, Mayor Dixon Chandler, Mike Dabney, Danny Adams and Pam Wright.
(Photo provided)

A panel of citizens from across the state selected Marked Tree, who is a first time recipient, along with Bay, Bella Vista, Bryant, Clarkridge, Clarksville, Crossett, El Dorado, Fort Smith, Heber Springs, Maumelle and Van Buren.

The Arkansas Volunteer Community of the Year Awards is sponsored by the governor's office, the Arkansas Municipal League and the Arkansas Department of Human Services Division of Volunteerism.

It is designed to recognize the hard work of volunteers who serve diligently in their own communities. The application process requires cities to submit photographs, news clippings and other documentation showing their volunteers projects and work.

The city logged over 3,000 volunteer hours for youth sports and several hundred more in the city's efforts to bring the moving Vietnam memorial wall to Marked Tree.

The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department provides signs announcing the Volunteer Community of the Year designation. The signs are placed at prominent locations along highways of the winning cities.

Marked Tree also received the distinction of being named an Arkansas Community of Excellence (ACE) in 2008 and is in the process of making its downtown area a commercial historic district.

Mayor Chandler said it is the hard work of volunteers that make Marked Tree such a great place to come home to.

"It's a nice honor that came from the combined group effort of all our volunteers in Marked Tree," Chandler said. "It shows that Marked Tree has plenty of potential as long as we work together. There is so much that we can do."

Chandler said the city also received word Tuesday that they are the recipient of a $95,000 grant awarded by the Arkansas State Highway Department. The grant is part of the Arkansas Recreational Trails Program and will be used to construct a walking track at the city's new sports and recreation complex.

"I'm well pleased with everything we've done and everything we've got to look forward to," Chandler said.