ASPSF alumna Kathy Smith ‘instrumental’ in planning fundraising event

Kathy played a key part in planning a benefit concert by county music star Trey Taylor last fall in Fort Smith. 

She secured event sponsorships and in-kind donations, such as tablecloths. And on the day of the event, she welcomed guests at the front door and stayed late to clean up.

 The fundraiser brought in thousands of dollars to help single parent students. To thank Kathy for her help, ASPSF has named her the Volunteer of the Month for January 2023.  

“Kathy has been instrumental in helping with event planning, making our annual Trey Taylor Concert a successful event,” Development Manager Abbie Taylor Cox Smith said. “We’re so pleased to announce Kathy Smith as ASPSF’s volunteer of the month!”

Kathy Smith (right) and ASPSF’s Abbie Taylor Cox meet to plan the Trey Taylor Concert.

 A 1997 ASPSF alumna, Kathy is an administrative assistant at Howard Elementary School in the Fort Smith School District.  Grateful for ASPSF’s support while earning her degree, she returned as a volunteer. 

“Being associated with the Single Parent Scholarship Fund improved my life in many ways while I was attending school,” she said. “The volunteers were so helpful and went above and beyond. My life was impacted in such a way that I could not help but to give back in any way that I can.” 

Kathy has also given her time to improving the quality of life in the Fort Smith community. She worked on the Minority Initiative Clean Indoor Air grant, and she formed a coalition to help pass a no-smoking ordinance in Sebastian County restaurants. Plus, she serves as the president of Howard Elementary School PTA and is busy developing a program to strengthen families. 

“Kathy is dedicated to making life better for others, and she works diligently in the Fort Smith community to battle generational poverty,” Abbie said. “Thank you, Kathy, for volunteering with ASPSF!”

If you’d like to provide life-changing scholarships and support to thousands of low-income single parents, fill out the volunteer form at aspsf.org/volunteer.