Menu
  • Photo of River in Van Buren

  • Growing Our Businesses & Community

  • Platinum Investors

     

  • Committee Members

  • Marketing Opportunities Guide

  • Marketing Opportunities Guide

  • Put your business front and center by sponsoring a Chamber event, annual program, or digital media.

    New network building events in 2022 include the Battle of the Business Bowling Tournament and the Local Lunch for restaurants.  BE PRO BE PROUD and Connecting Educators in Industry are focused on building the workforce pipeline for our community.  Also new this year are two annual program sponsorships, the Governmental Affairs Committee, and the Chamber Ambassadors, both focused on advocacy for a strong, business friendly climate in our community, county, and state. 

    Or promote your business utilizing the Chamber website, which received more than 145,000 visits in 2021. And don't forget the long running favorites; the Annual Meeting & Business Expo, the Golf Classic, Business After Hours, and the Arkansas Scholars Award Ceremony.

     

     

     

  • Donor Champions Take the Court: Score a Free T-Shirt When You Donate Blood

    Press ReleaseCommunity


    Donor Champions Take the Court: Score a Basketball T-shirt When You Donate Blood

     

    January 23, 2026 ─ It is officially game time. Our Blood Institute is tipping off its February and March donor campaign, inviting the community to step onto the court and make a winning play for patients in local hospitals.

     

    All donors who donate at the following blood drives, will receive a limited-edition Donor Champions basketball themed T-shirt as a thank you for showing up when it matters most.

     

    • Robert Jack VFW Post 1322; Friday, February 13; 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
    • Heritage Church; Sunday, February 15, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the bloodmobile.
    • Van Buren Community; Wednesday, February 25; 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the Public Library.

    In Arkansas, donors will score even more for stepping up. All successful donors in Arkansas will also receive one free ticket to the Museum of Discovery and one free Bundtlet from Nothing Bundt Cakes, adding a little extra celebration to a lifesaving act.

     

    Whether you are a die-hard basketball fan or just love being part of a team, every donation is a clutch play for patients who depend on blood for trauma care, cancer treatments, surgeries and emergencies. There is no offseason when it comes to the need for blood.

     

    “Donors are truly our champions,” said Dr. John Armitage, president and CEO of Our Blood Institute. “They show up day after day to help patients win their toughest battles. This campaign is our way of celebrating the teamwork, commitment and heart it takes to keep hospitals supplied with lifesaving blood.”

     

    Blood is needed every day, but donations often slow down during late winter and early spring. By rolling up a sleeve, donors help keep hospitals from falling behind when patient needs are at their highest.

     

    Anyone who is healthy and 16 years old* or older can give blood. Donation typically takes only about an hour, and one donation saves up to three lives. Appointments to donate can be made online at obi.org or by calling 877-340-8777. Walk-ins are also welcome. 

    *16-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission; 17-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds; 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds. Photo ID required. 

     

    ###

    Our Blood Institute is the sixth-largest independent blood center in the nation, with 17 donor centers in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas. OBI is the nonprofit blood provider for patients at more than 240 hospitals, medical facilities and air ambulances across all three states.

    Donor Champions Take the Court: Score a Free T-Shirt When You Donate Blood