United Way gifts plaques to businesses that support local troops hurricane aid return

Local business owners were honored with plaques for their support of troops returning home from Hurricane Ida relief efforts in September.

United Way sponsored the plaques given to 11 local businesses for their donation of food, drinks along with serving items to a welcome back dinner for the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade that spent two weeks in New Orleans after Hurricane Ida.

Approximately 300 soldiers were welcomed back to the River Valley with food from Fort Smith staples including Art's BBQ and Burgers, Jeff's Clubhouse and Zapata's Mexican Grill.

The event was put together in around 48 hours Capt. Amy Culbreath said.

"I wanted to do something to boost some morale and show these guys how much their hard work was appreciated," Culbreath said.

Culbreath, Fort Smith Brewing Company owner Quentin Willard and Andelyn Wright, a soldier and family readiness specialist for the Arkansas Army National Guard worked together to make the event happen.

Art's BBQ and Burgers, Jeff's Club House, Zapata's Mexican Grill, Del Sol Mexican Grill, Pink Flamingo BBQ, Rolando's Nuevo Latino Restaurante, PT's Manor, Hideway Pizza, Eunice's Country Cookin', Fort Smith Brewing Co. and Rheem Manufacturing all donated items.

Abbi Ross is the business and features reporter at the Southwest Times Record. She can be reached at aross@swtimes.com or on Twitter at @__AbbiRoss