About

Motto:

“Building on a Strong Foundation for the Future of Gillett!”

Mission Statement:
Our mission is to enrich our community by initiating economic growth and community development. We want to inspire, motivate, and instill pride in our community by working together as a volunteer organization to positively influence future generations to build and sustain a healthy community.

Established:  August 2008      

Tax ID #90-0410892

Goals:

  • To initiate or stimulate economic growth to provide the city with more revenue to better serve the community
  • To improve the quality of life for the citizens of Gillett by promoting and funding community development projects
  • To promote and contribute to the health and vitality of the community by supporting our school system and local businesses
  • To assist the city government in their goal to maintain and beautify the city with volunteer efforts as well as financial support

Accomplishments:
1)  Our group successfully raised $8,000 to purchase 34 new pole mount Christmas decorations for the City of Gillett.  The new lights were beautifully displayed Christmas 2008.
2) We helped to plan Gillett’s first annual “Christmas Past & Present” and participated by sponsoring a Christmas Parade and a Smoked Chicken Luncheon and a Fireworks Display to end the festivities.
3) We successfully planned & sponsored Gillett’s first annual “Heritage Days Festival” including competitions such as a BBQ Cook-Off, Pie Baking Contest, Talent Contest, Tug-of-War Competition, Horseshoe Tournament, and a BBQ Luncheon.
4) We held the R.A.V.E. (Revitalize, Aspire, Visualize, Educate) Benefit Dinner & Auction last November to raise money for various community projects.
5) We purchased 45 city banners to beautify the main streets of Gillett.  We received a grant from the SE Arkansas Development Commission to purchase the hardware for the banners.
6) We purchased a $2500.00 AED system for the city of Gillett which is stored at the Gillett Fire Department.

Current Project Recommendations:

  • Help Renovate Existing Businesses in Gillett
  • Light Poles for Main Street
  • Planting Trees, Landscaping, and Cleaning Properties Lining the Main Entrees into the City
  • Founding a new charter school, “Gillett Heritage Academy”

Current Board of Directors:

  • Derek Menard - President                 870-830-5411
  • Stephen Ringo - Vice President      870-866-0407
  • Jennifer Lowe - Secretary                 870-548-2541
  • Jennifer Menard - Treasurer            870-946-1664
  • Christy Murphy - Director                 870-548-2440
  • Susan Williams - Director                   870-548-2010
  • Dustin Menard - Director                   870-830-4978
  • Sally Keffer - Director                          870-830-6012
  • Leland Fuhrman - Director                870-548-2619

Group Members in addition to the Board:
Kevin Williams, Natalie Richter, Kevin Murphy, Lesa Ringo, Scott & Crista Shepherd, DeeAnna Ballard, Chad & Joni Philip, Jared & Joli Hozhauer, Walt & Marsha Sullivan, Todd & Kerry Griffin, Leland & Marian Fuhrman,  Alan & Reba Clawson, Annie Williams, Seth & Shana Place, Leigh Ann Haynes, Tony & Loretta Berry, Lee Ann Lambert & Scott Place.

Grant Writing Committee:

Ken Dempsey
Jennifer Menard            
Joli Holzhauer
Sally Keffer

Donations:
All donations are tax deductable and checks should be made payable to:
Gillett Civic Group, Inc.

*We have two separate accounts set up for donations…
1) Our general Civic Group Fund - to be used for city projects, the Festival, the Christmas Parade, etc.
2) Our Charter School Account - please note “charter school donation” on your check so that it will be placed in the appropriate account.  Funds in this account are to be used to found the Charter School - expenses such as paying for postage and mailouts, advertising, consultant fees, etc. 

Mailing Address:       

Gillett Civic Group
PO Box 116
Gillett, AR 72055

gillettcivicgroup@gmail.com