If you are seeking opportunities for positive involvement in the central Arkansas community, consider the North Little Rock Sertoma Club. A civic organization, SERTOMA International (standing for “Service to Mankind”) is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri; it was founded in 1912, and is the second oldest civic organization in the nation. Speech and hearing disorders are currently the primary focus of the organization.
The North Little Rock Sertoma was started in 1949 as an offshoot of the club in Little Rock. Our focus at that time was rounding up and disposing of all the stray dogs that seemed to just magically appear in the North Little Rock area. Rumor has it that we fed them to the alligators that once lined the banks of the Arkansas River.
NLR Sertoma has a special association with the Arkansas School for the Deaf, in Little Rock. We provide funds to the school for various purposes, as well as provide scholarships to students who are pursuing college credits in teaching or research in hearing specialties. One of our main endeavors is to provide “loaner” hearing aids to students whose hearing aid has gone missing or is in need of repair. Without the “loaner”, students would not be able to fully participate in classes. NLR Sertoma has also provided sound systems for the classrooms.
NLR Sertoma is also responsible for a couple of North Little Rock traditions: The annual Christmas Parade, begun in 1984; and the Old Time Political Rally, (originally Levy Day}, begun in 1951. We also support other community projects, such as Boys and Girls State, Hershey Track and Field programs, and other youth programs.
The club raises its own funds, and all funds are used locally. There are few administrative expenses since all labor is volunteer. Our largest fund raiser is the Sertoma Three Man Scramble, one of the oldest and most prestigious golf tournament fund raisers in the state. It was first held in 1983. This annual tournament is currently held at Burns Park, an internationally acclaimed 1375 acre park owned wholly by the City of North Little Rock. Another major source of income for the club is collecting the gate at various youth soccer tournaments held at Burns Park. Again, Burns Park is acclaimed, for having the finest soccer fields in middle North America.
We meet at noon, every Wednesday, at the Royal Buffet, just east of Main Street on Pershing Avenue in North Little Rock. We usually have a guest speaker; we always have good food and pleasant companionship. Join us and help make a positive impact on our community. We look forward to seeing you.