The Conway Kiwanis Club recently provided personalized book cases and a starter book collection to 50 children enrolled in Community Action Program for Central Arkansas Head Start (CAPCA).

The Project was founded by local author Jim Davidson. In early 2020, the Kiwanis Club of Conway assumed oversight of the Project from Davidson, who remains actively involved in its management and has since become a member of the Conway Kiwanis Club.

The project depends heavily on community support. Funding to build the bookshelves typically comes from an annual banquet. The banquet was canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"The primary source of books for the Project is the Faulkner County Library, which supplies the Project books that it receives through community donations," said project chairman Richard Plotkin. "This source is supplemented by donations from numerous supporters, including the Life 10 Sunday School class at Conway First Baptist Church, which buys children’s bibles and a book of Bible stories for each recipient. Project supporter Caryn Southerland provided 50 autographed copies of her children’s book, “’Twas the Night Before Cowboy Christmas,” at a discounted price this year," Plotkin added.

The club has also developed an Amazon wish list of books to receive book donations. (click here).

Bookcases are built by Elms-Clowers Construction, Inc., Conway. Each bookcase has a nameplate made and donated by Conway Trophy & Awards. Local Realtor Carolyn K. Brinkley is donating the amount needed to build one bookcase for each real estate transaction she completes for clients in 2021.

In addition, each child receives a “reading buddy” – a stuffed animal – and a personalized bookmark. The stuffed animals are donated by Project supporter Crystal Spellmann. Another supporter, Patsy Desaulniers, crafts each bookmark.

The Conway Kiwanis Club meets at 12 noon each Wednesday. The club is currently meeting with limited seating at Larry's Pizza and via Zoom.