Volunteers From Cotton Bowl Schools Have 'Great Time' Helping Mission Arlington

Jeff Long, Chancellor David Gearhart and Dean Danny Pugh help move boxes.

University of Arkansas students help load next year's Christmas toys.

Big Red and Sue E. join in the teamwork.

Jeff Long takes a hand-off from Chancellor David Gearhart.

No box is too large for the Razorback Nation to lift.

Boss Hog leads the charge on helping Mission Arlington.

Mike Nail, Jeff Long and Chancellor David Gearhart keep the line moving.

Wild Willy of Kansas State and Pork Chop of Arkansas stand shoulder together as volunteers.

Photo Submitted

Athletic Director Jeff Long, Chancellor G. David Gearhart and Dean Danny Pugh help student volunteers handle boxes at Mission Arlington. Photos by Walt Beazley.

The volunteers from the University of Arkansas and Kansas State University – 180 of them in all – arrived at Mission Arlington bright and early Thursday morning, Jan. 5, and quickly got to work. Mission Arlington is a service agency that provides everything from emergency assistance for families to free medical and dental clinics, from toys for children at Christmas to clothing and school supplies. The organization serves an average of 1,000 people a week, and depends on volunteers.

This day’s volunteers were brought together by the Volunteer Action Center at the University of Arkansas. Nearly everyone who took part was in town for the Cotton Bowl, but the idea was to give something back to the host community. So the students and school administrators – including University of Arkansas Chancellor G. David Gearhart and Athletics Director Jeff Long -- worked all morning, moving boxes from one part of the distribution center to others – boxes filled with toys for next Christmas, dental supplies for the free clinic, and clothes for families in need.

 “It was great, we had a lot of fun,” said Angela Oxford, director of the Center for Community Engagement. “Not only did we have our students and administrators working, but several high school students from the area who are coming to the U of A next year heard about the project and came out to help.

“And the K-State group was great to work with.”

"These community involvement opportunities are an extension of the U of A learning experience,” said Chancellor Gearhart. “A complete college experience should prepare an individual for life, careers and civic and community involvement. Our work at Mission Arlington was one of many ways our students put their education to work for the betterment of others."

“This is something we definitely plan to do wherever we play a bowl game in the future,” Oxford added. “We want to make this a tradition. The people at Mission Arlington were so grateful. They said they hope other schools do the same thing when they play in the Cotton Bowl.”

Tillie Burgen, executive director of Mission Arlington, thanked all the volunteers at noon, telling them the work they did was equal to a $7,000 donation.