Arvest Bank in North Central Arkansas is accepting letters of request from area non-profit organizations that would like to be considered for the 2020 Arvest Bank Charity of the Year program. The deadline for applications is Friday, July 3.

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The Charity of the Year program was created to lend financial support to local non-profit organizations through the annual Arvest Bank Charity Golf Tournament that is in its 24th year. Since it began, the program has contributed more than $213,000 to local charities. In lieu of the tournament this year, Arvest has partnered with event co-sponsor Genuine Care Pharmacy to commit three awards of $2,000 each to a non-profit organization in Baxter, Boone and Marion counties. A committee of Arvest associates will select the recipients from each county.

“Nonprofit organizations are often the lifeblood, and sometimes a last hope, for individuals and families – and there is no doubt these charities have been stretched thin these last several months,” said Mike Willard, president and CEO of Arvest Bank in North Central Arkansas. “They are demonstrating unwavering support for our community in trying times, and now it’s our turn to support them and those whom they serve.”

“We understand the difficulty of the current situation and we want our local charities to have all the support they need to have a meaningful impact on our fellow neighbors,” said Clint Rectenwald, co-owner of Genuine Care Pharmacy. “It’s been an honor to support this event and the respective charities over the past several years. When last year’s tournament was rained out, we joined Arvest in keeping our financial commitment to the deserving charities and we will do that again this year, despite the fact that Covid-19 will interrupt the ability to play.”

Charities of the year are selected based on past, present and future financial needs, along with other criteria. To qualify, charities must be designated as an IRS 501(c)(3) organization and must submit a letter to the committee explaining why their organization should be selected.  Nomination letters may be mailed to: Arvest Bank Charity Committee, Attn: Jaren Beavers, P.O. Box 325, Yellville, AR, 72687, or they may be emailed to jbeavers@arvest.com.