APRIL 22, 2005 | Colorful balloons were released from tiny hands April 19, honoring the staff at Arkansas CARES (Center for Addictions Research, Education and Services) and celebrating the generous gift of $100,000 from Jane and Bill Hardin.

The Hardins, of Little Rock, stood beaming with delight as mothers in the nonprofit residential program helped their children release the bright balloons and watched them dance into the clear sky. Each balloon had the name of a staff member written on it, a way of symbolically lifting up those who have worked so hard to pull others out of the depths of addiction.

“Who has me?” one woman asked as she looked through the sea of balloons for her name.

“We all do,” was Jane Hardin’s warm reply.

The Hardins have been volunteers for Arkansas CARES since 1998. Jane Hardin is the daughter of Johnelle and J.B. Hunt of Fayetteville, who made a $100,000 donation to Arkansas CARES two years ago in honor of Jane’s service and volunteer leadership. The donation will be used at the discretion of Cynthia Crone, Arkansas CARES director, to sustain or enhance the program.

“Without their commitment and tireless dedication to the families served, many women and children would not have the better lives they enjoy today,” Jane Hardin said of the Arkansas CARES staff. “The cycle of addiction can be broken and Arkansas CARES proves that every day.”

Crone told those gathered for the celebration that the Hardins are “special people who believe in you and in Arkansas CARES and who do their work quietly, lovingly and without seeking recognition. To help others without expectation of reward is one of the noblest actions one can take.”

Crone described how Jane Hardin spends time rocking babies in the nursery, and brings others, like First Lady Janet Huckabee, to volunteer in the nursery. “She brings Poinsettias to get us in the holiday spirit, Halloween costumes for the children and helps graduate clients in transition. Last Christmas, when we had a new family, Bill and Jane went shopping and drove on icy roads so that the family would have gifts when they awoke. These are just a few examples of their long-term service.”

“We are deeply indebted to the Hardins for their support and most of all for their caring for those in our community who have the greatest needs,” said UAMS Chancellor I. Dodd Wilson, M.D.,

Arkansas CARES is a national award-winning nonprofit residential prevention and treatment program for mothers and their children who are affected by substance abuse: alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine or other drugs. The program is unique because children come into treatment with their mothers. The mothers’ treatment serves in part as a prevention measure for their children to break the cycle of addiction.  Arkansas CARES is a program of the UAMS College of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry.

© 2004 University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. “UAMS,” “UAMS Medical Center,” “UAMS Online,” “UAMS Today,” “UAMS Update,” “uams.edu,” and “Here’s to Your Health” are marks of UAMS.