Welcome to the VEBF November newsletter!

Well, this it: “Crunch Time,” as folks are apt to say right before a deadline with lots more work to do. Except for the VEBF, where most of our work has already been taken care of, and now, we just wait for Village residents to come through with their donations for the POA hourly workers we support.  We hope to get the majority of donations in by the end of this month, so we know the amount of cash we will have to work with for our appreciation gifts.

I know if you are reading this newsletter, you already are a likely donor to the VEBF, and I appreciate that. So, when I ask for your support, it’s kind of like “preaching to the choir”, as the expression goes. But maybe the little extra thing you could do, would be to say to your neighbors and friends, “I hope you’re donating to the Village Employees Benefit Fund this year”.  Some people will say “yes,” some will say “no,” and some will ask “what is it?”

To the “yes” people, you can say “great, thank you.”  

To the “no” people, if you care to follow up and ask why, they will likely say a variation of one of two things. For example, “Our workers already get paid to do their jobs.”   Which is true, but while our starting wage of $14 an hour is pretty good, try living on the take-home pay with today’s inflation. And the gift from the VEBF is the only “Christmas bonus” they will receive.

Or someone might say “no” because “The VEBF is part of the POA, and I don’t trust (or like) the POA.” (You’d be surprised how often we hear that.) First, we are not “part of the POA.” We are an independent non-profit organization in support of POA workers. And while there might be different reasons for a person to not like the POA, I would ask, “Why fail to help the people who do the work to run the Village, just because you have a gripe with the POA?”

And to the folks who don’t know who we are or what we do, you can refer them to our website at VEBF.org, so they can learn about our mission and make an informed decision about donating.

In other news…Our local radio station, KVRE, will be broadcasting a Take 5 interview that our board member, Donna Jared, conducted with POA employee, Felicity White. The 5-minute interview will air live on 92.9 FM, or streaming live on KVRE.com, on Tuesday, October 31, and again on Tuesday, November 7, both times at 11 AM. Listen in if you can!

The next note from me will be in the December newsletter, which will come out a week or so later in the month so I can bring you the first news about our fundraising and the distribution of our cash appreciation gifts. 

I’d like to close by thanking the three people at the POA with whom we work closely to get the word out and manage the gift distribution to eligible employees. Our #1 cheerleader is General Manager Kelly Hale, who from nearly his first day on the job, recognized the importance of Villagers “saying thanks” to POA workers through the VEBF. Next, our liaison in Human Resources, Carley Wiley, without whose ever-cheerful assistance would make our job that much harder to accomplish. And finally, Pam Avila, Communications/Revenue Growth Specialist, who assists our newsletter editor, Dannet Botkin - owner of Designs Group Consulting, by lining up employee interviews for us, and linking this newsletter to the Village Digest, all with our appreciation.

And remember: “Nothing happens in Hot Springs Village, until a POA employee comes to work.”

John Chapman - President, VEBF  

It's time to Donate.

Show Your Appreciation for a Job Well Done

"The VEBF Annual Cash Gift helps me provide Christmas gifts for my family and friends."

"The VEBF Annual Cash Gift helps me pay bills as well as allows me to buy some Christmas gifts for my children."

"We appreciate it so much! The VEBF Annual Cash Gift makes a HUGE difference in all our lives not only during the Christmas season but also for months afterwards."

Click here to donate via Credit Card through our Website: VEBF.org

or

Drop a check in the mail, addressed to:

VEBF, PO Box 8503, Hot Springs Village, AR, 71910.

Why Donate?

Join the Village Employees Benefit Fund (VEBF) in thanking the dedicated POA frontline workers who make Hot Springs Village a wonderful place to live while earning just a few dollars above minimum wage. Your donation to the Village Employees Benefit Fund reflects your respect and appreciation of the hard-working hourly employees of the POA—the line staff, the workers who groom our golf courses, collect our trash, maintain our roads and buildings, pump water into our homes, operate our wonderful facilities, patrol our streets, extinguish our fires, and yes, process our sewage. 

While earning just a few dollars above minimum wage, they do a great deal to make the Village run smoothly and to be a beautiful place to live. Your contribution will help grow the Fund ensuring that line employees receive a bonus at the end of the year in recognition of their service.

Nothing happens in Hot Springs Village until a POA employee comes to work.

Meet Jeff Ray, Operator Foreman

The HSV POA Public Works Department would like to introduce you to Jeff Ray. 

Jeff has been with the HSV POA for eight years.   

Each year Jeff spends his VEBF Annual Cash Gift on Christmas presents for his family and grandchildren.

"Thank you, Jeff, for all you do!" - VEBF

Meet Christina Paratore, Property Specialist

The HSV POA Public Works Department would like to introduce you to Christina Paratore. 

Christina has been with the HSV POA for four years.  

Christina plans to save the VEBF Annual Cash Gift for building a house.

"Thank you, Christina, for all you do!" - VEBF

NAME: Barbara M. Zavrel (Barb)

SPOUSE’S NAME: Richard E. Zavrel (Rich)

WE MOVED HERE FROM: Prior Lake, Minnesota

Approx. 20 mi SW of Minneapolis, on Prior Lake

BECAUSE: 24-year snowbirds/property owners in the Village, at Covid onset. Decided to downsize and take advantage of the life we built here, warmer climate, spend time with wonderful friends and enjoy the year around amenities. 

MY HOBBIES OR INTERESTS ARE: Event planning & execution, cooking & entertaining, reading and enjoying life in the Natural State!

WHAT WAS YOUR PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATION BEFORE YOU RETIRED: Sales/Marketing. Fund Raising & assorted volunteer work the past 25 years.

PERSONAL AND/OR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS: While I had many professional “high’ moments; my proudest moments were when my International, National and State volunteer projects were successful using 100% donated food & products and 100% volunteer labor. 

MY BIGGEST SOURCE OF INSPIRATION CAME FROM: My parents but particularly my father’s battle back from a very debilitating stroke. I witnessed how belief, inner strength and effort can change your life. 

SOMETHING YOU WOULD BE SUPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT ME: I don’t watch television and prefer quiet, punctuated with the sounds of nature. My happy place is my covered patio with a fabulous Lake Balboa view. 

WHAT APPEALS TO YOU ABOUT THE VEBF, AND SERVING AS A BOARD MEMBER: Thanks to the Villager’s generosity, the annual cash “Thank You’ gives us the opportunity to show public support and recognition for the people that make Hot Springs Village work! 

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO A VILLAGE RESIDENT WHO THINKS A CONTRIBUTION TO THE VEBF IS NOT NECESSARY: This issue always puzzles me, during the Holiday season MANY people give other gifts of cash or personal items to say, “Thank You for the services you have provided this past year.” I don’t see this donation as any different, especially since we ALL benefit so very much when the POA employees perform their jobs and provide us with ALL the services and amenities that make Hot Springs Village so special. 

Hot Springs Village Employees Benefit Fund was established on September 22, 1999, to receive and disburse appreciation funds contributed by the property owners of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas.

These funds are for the benefit and support of all qualified POA employees (excluding Top Management) as defined in the by-laws.

Our intent is to demonstrate the recognition, appreciation, and respect that our property owners and others have for all those who work to support and maintain Hot Springs Village.