The Springdale Chamber of Commerce featured the 57th Annual Springdale Chamber Teacher Appreciation Event on Aug. 9 at Har-Ber High School.
The event included a vendor fair in Wildcat Arena with 105 business vendors and prize giveaway sessions in the school's performing arts center.
About 2,000 donated gifts valued at more than $135,000 were given to Springdale Public Schools' educators. Counselor Suzanne Cartwright of Jones Elementary School and teacher Angela Mankins of Kelly Middle School each received a $10,000 home makeover from Sam’s Furniture.
Volunteers from businesses throughout the community presented the gifts to teachers.
"We want to be able to bless and honor someone who is going through a super tough time," said Lara Donaldson with Sam's Furniture of the $20,000 in furniture giveaways.
Both Cartwright and Mankins were nominated for the gifts by district staff and families for their selfless service of others amid trying circumstances.
Cartwright said she was shocked by the gift.
"My heart is just so full," she said. "There's so many deserving people. I'm just so humbled that anybody would nominate me."
The event was also attended by district administrators; School Board members; Bill Rogers, Springdale Chamber of Commerce president and CEO; Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse; Joe Donaldson with Sam's Furniture; Dr. Jared Cleveland, Springdale Schools superintendent; Kim Eskew, Harp's Food Stores president and CEO; Allen Cotner with McLarty Daniel; and Ashley Harris of Ozarks Electric Cooperative.
View all event photos here.
View the Pre-K to Fifth Grade event here.
View the Sixth to 12th Grade event here.