Ground broken for new Care and Share facility

Breaking ground for a new 150-by-60-foot Care and Share building in Gravette were, from the left, Keith Boldt, Brenda Yates, Bo Roberts representing his father Marion Roberts, Vicki Hearne, Virginia Todd, Sandy Bugner and Bill Bugner.
Breaking ground for a new 150-by-60-foot Care and Share building in Gravette were, from the left, Keith Boldt, Brenda Yates, Bo Roberts representing his father Marion Roberts, Vicki Hearne, Virginia Todd, Sandy Bugner and Bill Bugner.

— More than 50 persons, including local and area dignitaries, attended groundbreaking Saturday for a new Care and Share store in Gravette.

Officers and members of the board of directors of the store brandished gold-colored shovels as they symbolically turned dirt at the site, just south of the new Walmart Express store. Work is already under way for construction of the structure which will house the business now located on Gravette Main Street.

Prior to the ceremony, those attending heard brief remarks from Senator Kim Hendren, State Representatives Mary Lou Slinkard and Donna Hutchinson and Gravette Mayor Byron Warren.

Dan Fagala, who chaired the charityfocused operation for many years, gave a brief history of Care and Share, which began more than 25 years ago when several local churches came together to help local and transient people.

Fagala noted how the operation evolved from being located in a small storage building to the Main Street location and two years ago added a Specialty Shop just west of the site of the new building.

He alluded to many businesses and churches who had volunteered time and effort in fulfilling its mission of People Helping People. Ten local and area churches, including Bella Vista, are now involved.

Keith Boldt, president of Care and Share, stressed the renewed and expanded effort toward the “spiritual and mental and moral” aspect of its mission.

Other officers are Sandy Bugner, vice president; Donnie Porter, secretary; Brenda Yates, treasurer; Vicki Hearne, special programs vicepresident; Bill Bugner, facilities vice-president; and Virginia Evans and Marion Roberts, directors.

News, Pages 7 on 08/31/2011