Community support for De Queen day care
By: Brian Kushida
Updated: August 17, 2012
The local De Queen community is rallying together to help a day care owner get back to business.
We brought you the story of Virginia Arnold earlier this month, after a fire destroyed both her home and her day care.
Since then, citizens and organizations have poured in support to help the local woman recover.
Arnold's classroom is now stocked.
"Everything we need to get started and more is here," Arnold said.
From supplies to toys, the owner of the Happy House Day Care and Preschool is getting ready for a new semester of children.
Her classroom is completely filled by pieces of the De Queen, Arkansas community -- who've donated to Arnold after her home and day care burned down earlier this month.
Some things are built from scratch, while others come anonymously.
Brettny Lynch is heading efforts to raise money and supplies for Arnold, including a benefit dinner and auction later this week. She's one of many who want to see the woman known as "Mrs. Jen" get back on her feet.
"The different stuff people have donated from the their own households -- not counting the cash, the giftcards -- they have really pulled together to help her," Lynch said.
As for a permanent location, Arnold hopes to have a new Happy House built as early as Labor Day.
Until then, Arnold plans to hold class in her temporary classroom -- a space also donated.
"(I'm) very, very, deeply, deeply thankful and grateful. And I feel very loved," Arnold said.
The benefit dinner and auction for Arnold and her husband will be at De Queen High School this Friday. Dinner starts at 5:00 p.m. in the De Queen High School Cafeteria and the auction starts at 6:00 p.m.
We brought you the story of Virginia Arnold earlier this month, after a fire destroyed both her home and her day care.
Since then, citizens and organizations have poured in support to help the local woman recover.
Arnold's classroom is now stocked.
"Everything we need to get started and more is here," Arnold said.
From supplies to toys, the owner of the Happy House Day Care and Preschool is getting ready for a new semester of children.
Her classroom is completely filled by pieces of the De Queen, Arkansas community -- who've donated to Arnold after her home and day care burned down earlier this month.
Some things are built from scratch, while others come anonymously.
Brettny Lynch is heading efforts to raise money and supplies for Arnold, including a benefit dinner and auction later this week. She's one of many who want to see the woman known as "Mrs. Jen" get back on her feet.
"The different stuff people have donated from the their own households -- not counting the cash, the giftcards -- they have really pulled together to help her," Lynch said.
As for a permanent location, Arnold hopes to have a new Happy House built as early as Labor Day.
Until then, Arnold plans to hold class in her temporary classroom -- a space also donated.
"(I'm) very, very, deeply, deeply thankful and grateful. And I feel very loved," Arnold said.
The benefit dinner and auction for Arnold and her husband will be at De Queen High School this Friday. Dinner starts at 5:00 p.m. in the De Queen High School Cafeteria and the auction starts at 6:00 p.m.
