First National Bank of Fort Smith and Brown-Hiller-Clark & Associates on Thursday donated $50,000 for an expansion project at the Fort Smith Children's Emergency Shelter.
The donation will help the shelter convert garage space and an outdoor pantry into office space and a conference room as part of its three-part expansion project.
CES said the conference room will allow for private counseling and tutoring for children at the shelter.
"This conversion will not only allow us to enhance the counseling services made available to the children, but will be a great benefit to the children's healing process," Ashley Ahlert, CES advancement coordinator, said in a news release.
President and CEO of First National Bank of Fort Smith Sam Sicard said this was the "perfect way for us to make a tangible difference in the lives of area children."
Marty Clark, president of Brown-Hiller-Clark said as a former president of the CES Board, "I know firsthand the tremendous good that the Shelter provides our community," and added the company was "pleased to support such a worthwhile organization."
CES provides shelter and care to area children ages 6 to 17 who have been removed from the custody of their guardian. The shelter is licensed to house up to 24 children at a time, and estimates it serves up to 300 children each year.
