Fred Scarborough said Arkansas Children’s was enjoying a “very healthy, robust year” in philanthropy. “Then March hit.”
Arkansas Children’s Foundation announced Friday the suspension of Circle of Friends volunteer chapters and their community-based fundraising through Dec. 31, 2021, citing record-breaking hospitalizations for COVID-19 in the state and concern over volunteers’ safety as its reason for doing so.
“Circle of Friends volunteers have advocated tirelessly for the children of Arkansas for nearly 40 years and have become synonymous with championing children,” Fred Scarborough, president of Arkansas Children’s Foundation, said in a news release. “Protecting the safety and wellbeing of the more than 300 volunteers in 11 statewide communities is of primary concern in the face of this pandemic. I am so grateful for every volunteer and their continued efforts to champion children throughout Arkansas. We look forward to a time when we can safely resume Circle of Friends activities.”
Established in 1983, Circle of Friends has raised more than $18 million for the children of Arkansas, funding programs like community outreach, nursing excellence, Circle of Friends Clinic, Arkansas Children’s Research Institute, Arkansas Children’s Northwest, Arkansas Children’s Hospital Pine Bluff Clinic and the statewide network of care.
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