Page 7 - Pops on the River 2017

ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
Fireworks for freedom
Giving meaning to the celebration
POPS ON THE RIVER SUNDAY, JULY 2, 2017 7K ADVERTISING FEATURE
Arkansas Children’s
By Spencer Griffin
SPECIAL SECTIONS WRITER
Independence Day is now often associated with family, friends, fun and fireworks. It’s possible that due to the attention given to the act of celebra-
tion and not the reason for the festivities, the focus of the day and its message get lost. Men and women of the United States Armed Forces deserve to be recognized on the Fourth of July, and that is what Pops on the River emphasizes.
Amanda Copley, Arkansas Democrat- Gazette marketing and events director, said Pops on the River has multiple acti- vities and benefits that focus on those in the military, recognizing them for their dedica- tion and sacrifice.
“We wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the services of our armed forces and the commitment they have made to our free- dom,” she said. “We are putting a special focus on these men and women with our Military Appreciation Tent and event cards, as well as our Armed Forces Salute later in the program.”
Copley added that the Military Appreci- ation Tent is featured annually at the event and is located near the main entrance. Here, military personnel can register and receive a discount card that can be used at many of the vendors at the event. She said the benefits and recognition do not stop there.
“We offer reserved seating for mili- tary personnel, as well as koozies and other fun items to give away as supplies last,” she said. “We will have a letter- writing campaign for the troops in the Kids Pavilion. We are also excited to host an Armed Forces Salute during the Arkansas
Symphony Orchestra’s performance, as well as our Salute to America, where we will have thousands of American flags in the audience that will be waved in unison at a special time in the program.”
While military personnel will be assu- redly shown respect and appreciation, Copley reflected on what members of the nation’s armed forces mean to her and why they deserve special recognition.
“When we think about these service men and women, one word always comes to mind — sacrifice. We are not always aware of the sacrifice our military members and their families make to safeguard us and to ensure our way of life,” she said. “We do, however, reap the benefits of these efforts, and it is important not to take them for granted. That is why we at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette are proud to recognize and celebrate our military community on this Fourth of July.”
Whether it’s with a simple handshake, words of gratitude or any other expres- sion of gratefulness, the service men and women of the United States will surely feel appreciated at Pops on the River. Copley said she hopes these prized members of society enjoy the event.
“I hope they are able to enjoy this day, celebrating the Fourth of July, and also see how much the community has come together at Pops on the River to enjoy fun, food, music and, most of all, our freedom,” she said.
While friends and family gather around the Arkansas River for some fireworks and fun, it is important to remember the mean- ing behind the July Fourth celebration and those who helped bring about the occasion in the first place.
For more than a century, Ar- kansas Children’s has contin- uously evolved to meet the unique needs of the children
of Arkansas and beyond.
Today, Arkansas Children’s is more
than just a hospital treating sick kids — the organization’s services include two hospitals, a pediatric research institute, clinics, education and out- reach, all with an unyielding commit- ment to making children better today and healthier tomorrow.
When it comes to health care, kids are different. From the tiniest patients to young adults, each stage of develop- ment requires its own expertise, equip- ment and understanding. Arkansas Chil- dren’s is kid-savvy, family-centered and uniquely tailored to children.
Children are at the center of every- thing Arkansas Children’s does. Every day, hour and second, the staff is fo- cused on reaching more children in more ways, whether it’s through ex- panding facilities and their reach in
Arkansas and beyond, recruiting and retaining top talent, ensuring a con- tinuum of comprehensive, world-class care or even training two-thirds of the pediatricians in the state.
Through Arkansas Children’s hospi- tals, clinics, research and outreach, the organization is committed to providing quality care to children where they live, learn and play.