PINE BLUFF - A Pine Bluff business owner is hoping that his recent donations to two local charitable organizations will lead to a citywide effort of giving in 2014.
David Massanelli, owner of Roberts Brothers Tire Service on East Harding Avenue, is working on creating a coalition of small businesses that will meet once a month and cut checks to different local charities each time.
To kick things off last week, Massanelli gave $1,000 each to the Pine Bluff Animal Shelter and The Salvation Army of Pine Bluff.
“Some businesses do better than others at certain times, so a team effort on the businesses’ part might help us all,” he said.
“Everyone involved in the group, which hasn’t been named yet, could help decide. All would have an equal vote.”
Other businesses involved in the project have not been announced.
Denise Castleberry, controller at Roberts Brothers Tire Service, said giving back to the community is an important part of being a business owner.
“We want to take care of Pine Bluff,” Castleberry said. “We want people to know that these organizations need help all year long, not just during the holiday season.”
Maj. Geraldine Leonard at The Salvation Army of Pine Bluff said Massanelli’s donation allowed the agency to finish filling angel-tree orders for Christmas presents, which are sent to families in need.
At the animal shelter, the money will purchase food and other items needed to run the facility, officials there said.
Pine Bluff Mayor Debe Hollingsworth called Massanelli’s efforts “just whatwe need here in Pine Bluff,” praising him for spearheading the effort.
“I think this is one of the best things I have heard in a long time,” Hollingsworth said.
“We need more of these types of acts of kindness in Pine Bluff. I just want to thank [Massanelli] and everyone involved with this for helping people in need in our city.”
Kelvin Sanders, 45, is one person in need.
The Pine Bluff native lost his job about a year ago and has been down on his luck ever since.
There isn’t much food in his cupboards, his clothes are tattered and his spirit is sometimes weak, he said.
But whenever he has sought help from The Salvation Army and other Pine Bluff charities, “they always come through,” Sanders said.“Whenever things get so bad I am afraid I won’t have anything to eat at all, I know I can count on someone to help me.”
Sanders said he hopes more people in Pine Bluff will help those in need, and he has vowed to begin helping others as soon as he can find a job.
“You can count on that,” he said.
“I will be giving as much as I can to The Salvation Army and other places because now I realize how much they mean to people in need. They can mean the difference between life and death sometimes.”
Castleberry and Massanelli said knowing they can make a difference in the lives of people is why they give back - and why they are encouraging others to do so, as well.
“That’s what it’s about, helping others,” Castleberry said. “We just want to help the folks in our community.”
Arkansas, Pages 7 on 12/30/2013