Northwest Arkansas Childrens Shelter

Our Board

Board of Directors

Will Hanna

Director of Operations, Hanna Family Ranch

Amy Merryman

Manager, Whitaker Properties

Brent Campbell

CFO, Jumpstart Foundry

Chris Lamson

Board Treasurer and Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy & General Manager Breeder's Choice, Central Garden and Pet

Dr. Curt Hedberg

Physician, Hedberg Allergy & Asthma Center

Emily Reynolds

Board President and Legal Counsel, Walmart

Jeff Spillyards

Senior Associate Counsel, Walmart

Lori Collins

Community Volunteer

Mary Zettle

Board Secretary and Director of Sales, General Mills

State Sen. Bart Hester

Arkansas State Senator, District 1

Steve Bratspies

Chief Merchandising Officer, Walmart

Tony Rogers

Chief Member Officer, Sam's Club

Van Bakke

Board Vice President and Vice President Sales/Operations, Walmart Team PepsiCo

Sadie

In February 2017, I was taken into the Children’s Shelter at 3:27 a.m.

Read more about SadieImpact stories

Meet Sadie

In February 2017, I was taken into the Children’s Shelter at 3:27 a.m.

Due to my past, I was terrified of what I may be walking in to. What if this is the last time I see my brothers? What if I’m completely removed from my “normal” life? I can only imagine what my brothers thought, let alone any other child in the system. This being said, I was shocked walking in to see portraits painted among the walls, a dining room, welcoming staff members … gosh, don’t get me started on how shocked I was to see that we had legit rooms.

They’re decorated! It’s amazing. Here at the Shelter they do their best to make you feel as welcomed and comfortable as possible … Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter has honestly done the best they can do to help me in life. There was never a day that went by that I felt uncared for.

It was very hard adjusting, but I knew I was always okay in their hands.

I love it here because I feel safe. The staff are here for me when I need them. Plus, I got to go to a Razorback game!

Jesse, age 11

I tried a cupcake for the first time.

Kylee, age 6

I learned that love is better than hate.

Tonya, age 17