UALR’s Children International (CI) program provided over 2,000 children with new winter jackets during visits to Bale, Chicot, Franklin, Stephens, Wakefield, and Wilson elementary schools last week. In addition, 3,100 children received holiday stockings filled with candy and personal hygiene items.

UALR’s CI program provides educational enrichment, health care, and family assistance for students in grades Pre-K-12. The program, which has been around at UALR for 12 years, provides a variety of services for about 2,200 children enrolled in the Little Rock School District.

Through a grant from Children International, UALR’s program gives participating students four gifts a year. The holiday gifts are distributed by Santa, Mrs. Claus, and a group of helpful reindeer.

All the children in participating schools – no matter if they are CI students or not – receive a holiday gift. Stockings for all students were stuffed by members of the local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

For more information on the Children International program, contact Cheryl Chapman at (501) 663-5541 or (501) 837-8472 or P.J. Reed at (501) 663-5541.