A Gnome's Home by Matthew Yarnell

09/15/2026

The First Annual Toys in the Bluff Toy Drive will be held this year at CJ’s Auto Body from 9-3 on Saturday, October 3. Veterans and volunteers will be collecting new, unwrapped toys, bikes, puzzles, games, and other meaningful donations. This toy drive will jumpstart the official 2026 Christmas Toy Collection Season for The United States Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program in our area, serving youth-in-need and at-risk youth, ages 0-18 years old. Please come, donate, and be a shining star for youth in our area. “Because, Every Child Deserves A Little Christmas.”

Additionally, we will be having a free drawing at this event featuring gift certificates and items from numerous local businesses to encourage folks to participate. All who bring a toy, bicycle, tricycle, puzzle, stuffed animal, game, or other meaningful donation will be entered to win one of the many prizes donated by local businesses and individuals.

Please Note: We are still accepting gift certificates, other items, and monetary donations from local business that wish to participate and help us in this endeavor. Please drop off all such donations at CJ’s Auto, 3007 South Midland Drive, Pine Bluff.

We will use donated items and funds to support the Toys for Tots mission of providing new unwrapped toys, books, puzzles, games, and other meaningful gifts to economically disadvantaged and at-risk youth of our area. If you’d like to help support our mission but can’t make the toy drive, you can donate online at https://pine-bluff-ar.toysfortots.org. The local campaign officially supports numerous churches and organizations in Cleveland, Dallas, Jefferson, and Lincoln Counties.

09/03/2026

🌟 PATHWAYS IN ACTION: COMMUNITY IMPACT DAY 🌟
Saturday, September 26 | 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

📍 Courtyard of Magnolia Food Court, 601 S. Main St., Pine Bluff
🚨 THE FIRST 10 ATTENDEES WILL EACH RECEIVE A $25 VISA GIFT CARD!

Community Impact Day is being brought together through the partnership of ACAAA, Exodus Life, and the Community Empowerment Council, with organizations from across the community joining forces to create a great day for Pine Bluff and Jefferson County families.

🎉 Here's what's happening:
💼 Mini-Job Fair featuring Central Moloney and Jefferson Regional Medical Center (JRMC)
🩺 FREE Health Screenings provided through the Baptist Health Mobile Health Unit
🎤 Live Performance by Pine Bluff favorite Keith Savage
🍔 FREE grilled burgers and hot dogs with all the fixings, chips, and drinks
🎈 Kids Zone hosted by Community Services Office Head Start with fun and games for the kiddos
🤝 Community Resources from a growing group of vendors and partners

We are also honored to have Jefferson County Judge Ivan Whitfield open the event with a special welcome to the community.

Community Impact Day is Arkansas Pathways to Self-Sufficiency in action—taking what we hear from communities and turning those conversations into connections, resources, opportunities, and action.

Thank you again for saying YES to Pine Bluff! Every organization participating brings something unique to the table, and together we have an opportunity to create an experience that connects families not only to information, but to real opportunities that can make a difference in their lives.

We look forward to seeing you on September 26

07/04/2026

Happy Fourth of July! 🇺🇸

Today we celebrate the spirit that makes America special—our strong communities, the freedoms we cherish, and the traditions that bring us together.

At Toys for Tots, we’re reminded that the strength of our Nation is found in neighbors helping neighbors and communities caring for their children.

As we celebrate independence today, we also celebrate the generosity, service, and unity that help bring hope and joy to families across our country.

Wishing you and your loved ones a safe and joyful Fourth of July! 🎆

06/23/2026

Come celebrate our nation's 250th anniversary. See wonderful historic displays provided by the Cleveland County Veterans Association. Veterans attending will receive a special lapel pin as supplies last. Come enjoy a hamburger or hotdog. The Homemakers Club is also providing some delicious cookies and other desserts to help make your day brighter. And Toys for Tots will be on site with patriotic activity books, lapel pins, and other items for the youth and the young-at-heart to help make our celebration more festive and memorable.

06/04/2026

Toys for Tots Literacy Program Provides Books to Local Libraries

As we look to celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary, the local United States Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program serving Cleveland, Dallas, Jefferson, and Lincoln Counties is proud to serve our local communities at Christmastime and beyond. As “a year-round force for good,” the USMCR Toys for Literacy Program is excited to be partnering with the local libraries again this year to help support literacy in our area and enhance the Summer Reading Programs.

This spring, due to donations from folks like you, we have been able to distribute 2,980 books. While some of these were handed directly to youth and/or their parents, 0-18, at area events this spring, the majority were distributed to our local libraries to be given away this summer.

While there are so many things youth, 0-18, can do during their summer vacation, one of the best things that they should do is take time daily to read a good book. We know that if during Summer Vacation, youth don’t take time to read or are not read to, regression in literacy skills occurs. Therefore, the Summer Reading Programs at our local libraries combined with The Toys for Tots Literacy Program provide “a great opportunity for youth of our area to foster their love of reading and grow their own personal libraries,” mentioned Star City Librarian, Simone Kirk.

Now that school is out, it is time to read for fun and personal enrichment. Each of our local libraries have unique programs designed to spark youth imagination and curiosity. Additionally, the books available will enable them to enjoy many wonderful adventures. Therefore, the USMCR Toys for Tots Literacy Program encourages youth, 0-18, and their parents to find out what their local library is up to this summer and be involved.

If you would like to assist the local USMCR Toys for Tots Program with their endeavors, they accept toys, books, games, bicycles, puzzles, and other meaningful donations. Checks, cashier's checks, or money orders can be made out to Toys for Tots and sent to TfT Coordinator Matthew Yarnell, PO Box 199, Rison, AR. 71665, or dropped off at the Cleveland County Hearld Office or Rison United Methodist Church. You can also donate online at https://pine-bluff-ar.toysfortots.org. All donations are tax-deductible.

Please share your love of reading with the youth of our area, and help lay the tracks for our future by boarding the Toys for Tots train today.

04/30/2026

Thank you C & L Electric for sponsoring the 2026 Literacy and Christmas Campaigns of Cleveland, Lincoln, Jefferson, and Dallas Counties of Arkansas!

04/12/2026

Star City Middle School Students Collect for Book Drive

During National Reading Month, Star City Middle School Students got involved in promoting literacy in our area by helping the local Toys for Tots Literacy Program collect books for their Annual Spring Book Drive. All the students were smiling as they carried the books out of the school and packed the Toys for Tots car. Star City Middle School Educator Krista Cotton, who helped encourage the students, indicated she was thrilled to assist with this program as “it is very important for youth to have access to books in order to improve their imagination and literacy.” Altogether, they collected 228 books for the local Toys for Tots Literacy Program covering Cleveland, Dallas, Jefferson, and Lincoln Counties.

“I’m extremely impressed with their efforts,” indicated Toys for Tots Coordinator Matthew Yarnell. “With their contribution, we’ve been able to collect approximately 1,300 books for our Spring Literacy Campaign so far. These books that they collected are earmarked for our local libraries and will enhance our Summer Reading Programs. Through their efforts, these students have exemplified the primary motto of United States Marine Corps Reserve Youth Ambassador Program “children helping children” – those that have gone above and beyond in their communities to help those less fortunate than themselves, while also engaging community members on behalf of Toys for Tots. And I, as a US Navy Veteran and as a Civilian Coordinator for the USMCR Toys for Tots Program, salute them and say, thank you.”

Through your support of our Toys for Tots Literacy Program, children receive age-appropriate books and learning materials that help build confidence, expand knowledge, and open doors to endless possibilities. A book isn’t just a gift. It’s a doorway to dreams being fulfilled! “And while a primary focus of the program is aimed toward economically disadvantaged and/or at-risk youth,” Yarnell stated, “I personally consider all youth at-risk when dealing with the topic of literacy, especially since educational difficulties such as dyslexia impact youth of all economic levels. Therefore, I encourage youth, 0-18, to be involved in the reading programs through their local libraries this summer. Those who participate will have the opportunity to choose a free book. Then, by opening the pages of that tome, they will be able to go on a grand adventure.”

Join us in supporting literacy and learning. We are currently seeking reading books, picture books, cookbooks, activity books, and Christian fiction and non-fiction for all ages, 0-18. Books in a new condition can be dropped off at area libraries, the Cleveland County Hearld Office, Rison Pharmacy, Star City Hardware, JB Speedy Burger, Fordyce O’Rielly’s Auto Parts, Pine Bluff Aquatic Center, Ephesus Bookstore, McFarland Eye Care, Cable Lynx, and Oliver Furniture. Of course, we also accept toys, games, puzzles, and other meaningful donations. You can also donate online at https://pine-bluff-ar.toysfortots.org. All donations are tax-deductible.

Please share your love of reading with the youth of our area, and help lay the tracks for our future by boarding the Toys for Tots train today.

04/08/2026

https://www.thv11.com/article/life/people/saluting-heroes/toys-for-tots-leads-effort-improve-literacy-arkansas/91-e86783a2-10c3-477a-9958-b9db1b0a9375

Arkansas Marines are swapping their toy bins for book bins, helping put around 63 million books in kids' hands since Toys for Tots began.