Share This Article
In what organizers are calling their own “five loaves and two fish” story, Little T’s Mini Golf’s annual “Lighting the Way to Foster Care” fundraiser surpassed last year’s results despite smaller participation numbers.
The event, which benefits The Call of Baxter and Fulton Counties, raised $1,191 more than last year’s total of $3,400, even with fewer painted pumpkin entries and tournament teams.
“We had less pumpkins, less voting, less teams, frankly less interest,” said Jenny Seal, event organizer. “But God, in His extraordinary way, provided more financially this year than last.”
The funds will support The Call’s mission of helping foster children in the Twin Lakes Area. The organization currently oversees 26 houses caring for 41 children and teens across Baxter and Fulton counties. Last year, Baxter County had 47 children in foster care, with 23 placed outside the county due to a lack of local foster homes.
To become a foster parent in Arkansas, residents must be at least 21 years old and prove they have a stable home. Both married couples and single adults can apply. Homes must have bedrooms large enough to provide each child with a minimum of 50 square feet of space.
All household members ages 14 and up must be cleared through the Arkansas Child Maltreatment Central Registry. Those 18 and older must be cleared through a State Police Criminal Record Check and a fingerprint-based FBI Criminal Background Check.
Prospective foster parents must demonstrate their ability to meet a foster child’s financial, medical, physical, educational, emotional, and shelter needs without relying on state or federal funds.
In 2021, Arkansas had 1,530 licensed foster homes, with approximately 1,041 of those homes receiving active foster placements. Foster children typically fare better in foster care than in government-run facilities, with most eventually returning to their families through reunification.
For more information on fostering, residents can contact The Call in Baxter County at 870-424-4211.
