The Arkansas River Valley Regional Library System’s (ARVRLS) inaugural Hispanic Heritage Festival in the Valley was a success thanks in part to a $5,000 grant from the Arvest Foundation.
The festival was held in Dardanelle in late September following a check presentation by Arvest Bank associates on behalf of the Arvest Foundation to members of the festival planning committee.
“We were so pleased to present the funds that were used for the Hispanic Heritage Festival in the Valley,” said Jessy Moreno, an assistant loan manager for Arvest Bank in Russellville. “We appreciate the foundation supporting outstanding organizations like the ARVRLS. Its people are doing great work to improve and foster inclusion and diversity in our communities. Supporting the Hispanic Heritage Festival in the Valley is a great example of the foundation’s commitment to our local communities.”
The ARVRLS serves as a bridge to connect diverse communities through literacy and innovative services by cultivating equality, inclusion and lifelong learning. It has served residents in Franklin, Johnson, Logan and Yell counties since 1959.
“The funds donated by the Arvest Foundation gave us the base to establish our first Hispanic Heritage Festival in the Valley and to continue having the festival for the Hispanic community in the River Valley,” said Dardanelle Library manager Wendy Wells, who also served on the planning committee.