Family's generosity helps make Christmas bright

Staff Photo by Annette Beard Derry Camp and Police Chief Tim Ledbetter prepare for an estate auction that raised more than $5,000 for students in Pea Ridge.
Staff Photo by Annette Beard Derry Camp and Police Chief Tim Ledbetter prepare for an estate auction that raised more than $5,000 for students in Pea Ridge.

Col. Joe Hart of Pea Ridge died May 23. But thanks to the generosity of his family, the children of Pea Ridge will have a brighter Christmas.

Faced with a large house full of furniture, household items and clothes, Hart's heirs -- Toni Isliefson of Lakeview, Minn., and her brothers, Mike and Pat Hart -- took the items they wanted and chose to donate the rest to the community through Bright Futures.

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"We are delighted to do this for Pea Ridge," Isliefson said. "Dad would be glad."

Founded in 2011 in Joplin, Mo., Bright Futures USA is active in 23 communities in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma,Virginia and Arkansas, including Pea Ridge. The nonprofit organization connects students in need to community resources that can help with "developing relationships, supporting education, removing barriers and channeling resources (so that) children are empowered to travel their pathway to success," according to brightfuturesusa.org.

Hart's heirs had worked closely with Police Chief Tim Ledbetter during the final months of Hart's life as his memory and health declined. "Toni asked if there was some place she could donate all the stuff," Ledbetter said. "I suggested Bright Futures."

After talking with Rick Neal, Pea Ridge School superintendent, about the donation, Ledbetter said it was apparent that there was not enough storage available to Bright Futures for everything, so they decided to auction all the items off and give the proceeds to Bright Futures.

Members of the Bright Futures Advisory Board worked with the Camps, collecting items that could be used and donated immediately including clothes and kitchen items, then worked to list the items for the sale.

"I went to the Camps (Derry and Sharon of Camp Auction Service) to see if they could guide us or help us with it, and they said they'd be thrilled to be a part of it," Ledbetter said.

"We are very grateful for Tim suggesting Bright Futures," Neal said, "and for Col. Joe Hart's family allowing us to have an auction in their father's home. We are grateful to the Camps for donating their time."

Hart, 93, moved to Pea Ridge after a long, illustrious military career, including being a prisoner of war during World War II.

After moving to Pea Ridge, Hart became involved in city government, serving on the Pea Ridge City Council in the 1990s and running for mayor in 1990, 1994 and 2010.

"I just really believe the family of Col. Joe has really stepped up for our community," Ledbetter said.

The auction, held Nov. 22, brought in more than $5,000 for Bright Futures.

Thanks to the proceeds of the auction and a partnership between Bright Futures and the Angel Tree project, "I think every kid in Pea Ridge will have Christmas," Neal said.

NAN Life on 12/10/2014

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