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When I moved to Searcy, Arkansas in 1996, I saw the move as a stepping stone, a short chapter in the story of my life. I wasn’t expecting to stay and certainly never imagined that 29 years later, I would still be a part of this community. I met my husband in Searcy, work in Searcy and shop in Searcy. My house is in a neighboring town, but Searcy feels like home.
The funny thing is a lot of other people feel the same way. Sure, there are the naysayers, but they are few and far between, and most of the people I talked to when researching this article couldn’t stop saying great things about this community.
Besides being named the Cutest Christmas Town in the South by Southern Living magazine in 2024, Searcy is special for a lot of reasons. These are the obvious ones:
- Get Down Downtown
- Harding University
- Benjamin Clayton Black House
- The BEST Coffee in Arkansas
- Searcy Art Scene
- Food in Searcy
- Searcy Holiday of Lights
- Living Nativity
But what sets Searcy apart is the people who strive daily to make our community a little brighter and a little better. From individuals who go above and beyond to businesses and organizations that use their presence to make a difference, Searcy is full of love, kindness and outreach.
The best part is that Searcy isn’t alone. I’ve featured Searcy in this article because it’s the closest community to me, but you can find a spirit of giving in communities across Arkansas. Enjoy these stories of people and businesses who are making a difference in my community, then seek out those in your community and become a part of the pattern that makes life better for everyone.
Extra Myles Foundation – Joseph Myles
On an average day, you can find Joseph Myles cutting hair inside the J. Myles Barbershop on Hawkins Drive in Searcy. Friendly and outgoing, there is no denying that Myles loves what he does, and his Extra Myles Foundation is a product of that love. His foundation aims to support kids in the community by providing opportunities for learning and growth and fostering connections between kids and law enforcement. Each year, Myles provides hundreds of free haircuts, organizes toy drives and serves as a positive role model for youth in the community.
Photo courtesy of Al Fowler.
Mobile Family Resource Center – Searcy Public Schools
Christine Harrell, Searcy School District Homeless Liaison and Federal Programs Coordinator, opened the Mobile Family Resource Center in February 2024 as an outreach for those in need in the community. Funded by a grant and maintained through donations and volunteer hours, the mobile trailer provides free hygiene products, laundry supplies and basic groceries to those in need. The onboard washer and dryer are also free to be used but must be reserved in advance. The trailer rotates between Searcy School District Campuses on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This program was recently awarded the prestigious Zimmerman Pinnacle Award from Arkansas Business.
Community Yard Sale – Kyle Thomson
Legal fees and fines can be an expensive hurdle for families trying to get back on their feet. Kyle Thomson, assistant director for Community Connection at Harding University, along with the help of local churches and the 100 Families Organization, has organized community yard sales to help offset the costs of these fees for families who qualify for assistance. The 2023 yard sale raised over $8,000 for participating families.
Detail Pros – Ian Valarde
Downtown Searcy is known for its charm and beauty, from the courthouse square to the downtown murals. City workers keep the area free from trash and maintain the grounds but enjoy a little help from locals like Ian Valarde. Valarde owns Detail Pros and provides professional washing services for home, office, or commercial buildings. Valarde is community-minded and regularly uses his own time and equipment to clean public areas in Searcy. Some of his projects have included power washing sidewalks in the downtown area, building facades at the Searcy Police Department and concrete areas on roadway intersections and bridges throughout the community.
Photo courtesy of Al Fowler.
Veterans Coffee Call – Chit Chat & Chew Cafe
Every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Veteran-owned Chit, Chat & Chew Cafe reserves its largest table for local veterans to gather for coffee, breakfast and fellowship in a safe and comfortable environment. Vets enjoy complimentary coffee or soda and 10% off their meals, but it isn’t uncommon for community members to pop in and pay for a meal or two out of respect and gratitude.
Community Meal Ticket – Burrito Day
Food insecurity is a serious concern for many in Searcy and White County. Beginning last summer, Burrito Day partnered with First United Methodist Church of Searcy to get hot meals into the hands and bellies of those who needed it most. The meals are funded through donations and are available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on business days. Anyone who is short on cash and needs a meal can see a Burrito Day team member for a meal ticket that covers the cost of one 10-inch chicken burrito.
Photo courtesy of Al Fowler.
Warming Centers – City of Searcy
Homelessness is an unfortunate part of every community, and Searcy is not unaffected. Organizations like Jacob’s Place and the Mission Machine provide ongoing services to homeless communities. When it gets really cold, the Carmichael Community Center opens its doors during the day for those needing a warm place to relax. The Searcy First Methodist Church hosts overnight accommodations during extreme cold.
Photo courtesy of Searcy First Methodist Church.
The Warming Fence – Searcy First Methodist Church
When it’s cold outside, everyone deserves warm clothing. The Searcy First Methodist Church recognized the need and decided to use their long fence that runs along Searcy’s Main Street as an outreach effort to the community. The Warming Fence stays stocked with clean, warm clothing, jackets and outerwear, such as hats and gloves, throughout the winter. It’s not uncommon for hundreds of items to be collected from the fence during particularly cold spells.
Photo provided by the City of Searcy.
Searcy’s Citizen Photographer – Al Fowler
Many people have touched lives in Searcy, but Al Fowler was a special man. He was kind towards everyone he met and never missed an event in Searcy. If something was happening, you could be certain Al would be there. Al volunteered throughout the community, rarely missed a Veterans Coffee Call and served on the boards of Jacob’s Place and Camp Wyldewood. For years, Al photographed the people, places, and events of Searcy and shared his photos online and in many publications, including this one. Al was always willing to provide me with photos for articles, including several for this article, which we had visited about in January. He loved Searcy and was always proud to share about those who helped others in the community.
Al Fowler died on February 5, 2025. Searcy mourns his absence, but his legacy will live on through the beautiful photographs he took.
More local events and groups worth checking out:
Make.Do.
White County Community Foundation
Downtown Church of Christ Community Garden
Downtown Church of Christ Food Pantry
El Puente Hispanic Services Center
Sparrow’s Promise
Daughters of the Other Side
The CALL
Searcy Police Department Community Outreach
Cover photo courtesy of Al Fowler.
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