Siloam Proud

she was part of Girls on the Run, where she and the girls would run together. "Basically it's a mentor- ship program for these young girls and these adult women and men can get involved with it and volun- teer their time," Strickland said. Off duty As busy as her life is while she is on duty, Strickland has a full plate while she is off duty as well. Strickland volunteers for Drug Free Benton County. "Basically, it's a group that comes together to help spread the message of be - ing drug-and alcohol-and tobacco-free," Strickland said. The coalition does a kick-off in middle schools across the county, usually in October, Strickland said. One year, the organization had Peyton Hillis come and talk about making good choices; another year a skydiver dropped in at the football field at the middle school and delivered a drug free proclamation, she said. In the five years Strick - land has been a member of the organization, she has helped Drug Free Benton County organize events at different middle schools instead of just having one event in Bentonville. "The very first meeting that I ever went to was the first year I started as an SRO," Strickland said. "The meeting was in Bentonville and the first meeting I went to, the first kick-off that I went to, they were only doing it on the Bentonville Square and they were only inviting kids from Old High Middle School. "So I opened my big mouth at a meeting and said 'Why aren't we do - ing these events at other schools? Why are we only getting these kids at Ben- tonville Old High Middle School? Why aren't we doing these all over the county?' So they said 'Oh, you want to do one at Siloam?' I was like 'Uh, okay, let me talk to my boss, but yeah sure.' So it's just grown from there." Presently the cities of Gravette, Pea Ridge, Rogers and Siloam Springs hold events and Drug Free Ben - ton County is working on getting a program in Gentry, she said. Along with the kick-off event, SROs go into the classrooms and present in- formation to the kids about the dangers of drugs and al- cohol abuse, Strickland said. "I don't think you can find a more community-minded law enforcement officer in Benton County," said pro- gram director Rick McLeod. "If she knows of a need, she will work diligently to solve the problem." Strickland would have participated in the Arkansas Special Olympics Torch Run in May. The event was can- celed due to the coronavirus pandemic, she said. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is part of the Special Olympics where law enforcement and Special Olympics athletes carry the Flame of Hope into the opening ceremonies of local competitions and in Special Olympics State, Pro - vincial, National and World Games, according to special olympics.org. Strickland and other SSPD officers would have run the Olympic torch from the tourist information center near the Arkansas/ Oklahoma border all the way to Gum Springs Road at the east end of town. A representative from the Benton County Sheriff's De - partment then would have taken the torch and run it to the Washington County Line, Strickland said. Strickland is also a mem- ber of SALT (Seniors and Law Enforcement Togeth- er), where she and members of the senior population discuss issues affecting se- niors, such as being taken advantage of by caregivers, family members and other people. Strickland's favor- ite event is the annual Cops and Kids program sponsored by the Siloam Springs Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), where SSPD officers take children and their parents to shop for Christmas gifts. As presi - dent of the FOP, Strickland has organized the program for the last 11 years and enjoys showing a different side of police officers. "I love being there with those kids and their parents, being able to give back," Strickland said. Another aspect of Strick - land is her love for God and family. Strickland regularly attends church on Sundays at Life Church in Rogers and enjoys spending time with her three sons, ages 25, 20 and 15. "Family is a huge deal for me," Strickland said. "I have a big family so we typically get together every so often, birthday parties, and family events and stuff like that." A role model If one were to ask Strick- land if she is a role model, she would answer no. "I'm sure that some peo- ple will probably say that," Strickland said. "I don't like saying that about myself. I don't really like the spotlight being on me. I am probably one of my own worst crit- ics." Anjila Castanada, who has known Strickland for around six years, said Strick- land served as the SRO when her daughter was in seventh and eighth grade. Strickland has influenced her daughter Alexis in the best way and was someone Alexis could look up to and trust for great advice, she said. "Even when she had left the school that Officer Strickland was working at, she knew that if she needed her for anything, she was a call away," Castanada said. Castenada's daughter is now a senior in high school and she and Strickland still have a close bond. "With everything going on in this country at the mo - ment, I do want to say thank you to Officer Strickland for loving us and our commu- nity," Castanada said. For Strickland, it is all part of helping bridge the gap between the community and law enforcement. "We want the kids to run to us for help and not away from us because they think they will be in trouble," Strickland said. Siloam Proud 12C n Wednesday, June 24, 2020 Siloam Springs Herald-Leader e year 2020 has been a tough year for everyone, but, together, we will come out stronger than ever! Siloam Springs has again shown why it is such a special place. Seeing everyone reach out and support each other has been truly inspiring. e Chamber of Commerce began in the 1930's and has promoted the businesses of Siloam Springs ever since. With over 450 members, your success is the priority in everything the Chamber does and offers. You can benefit from great resources and connections for your businesses, entrepreneurs, residents, and visitors through the Chamber. e Chamber is proud to be a part of your Siloam Springs business community for 90 years! We appreciate YOU, the members and volunteers for supporting everything we provide so generously, such as First Friday Coffee, Dogwood Festival, Discover Siloam Springs, and many other events and programs. Being the best you can be and supporting you is our mission! Marc Hayot/Herald Leader Rod (left) and Dolores Deuel pose in front of the plaque for the Siloam Springs Public Library. "I think we look forward to engaging in activities we can't participate in right now," Stephens said. "That will be a welcome bless- ing." Deuel joined the Kiwanis Club in July of 2012, said Taylor. "She was very regular in her attendance and was looking for a way to get more involved," Taylor said. A few months after she joined, Taylor's father, who was the club's secretary died after a brief illness, and Deuel was asked to take over the role, Taylor said. After thinking it over, she accepted the position in early 2013, Taylor said. Deuel has just recently completed seven years in the role of secretary. Deuel was also an in - tegral part of the annual Christmas poinsettia proj- ect. The project was started several years ago by Tony Williams, a member of the club who was piggybacking the project from another Kiwanis Club in Benton County. Deuel started helping with the project and when Williams moved to Fay - etteville, Deuel took over the project and has worked hard to encourage mem- bers to get out and sell poinsettias in November. "Siloam Springs is ex- tremely fortunate to have Dolores here," Taylor said. "I believe that she has done a great job with getting the library where it is today. Deuel herself, has en- joyed her time in Siloam Springs and at the library. Living and working in Siloam Springs and being a part of the Siloam Springs community has been a joy for me, (to) have had the opportunity to meet and interact with many won - derful people," Deuel said. Deuel Continued from Page 5C Marc Hayot/Herald Leader Officer DeAndra Strickland sits at her desk at South- side Elementary School. Strickland enjoys getting to connect with kids and making an impact on their lives. stricklanD Continued from Page 8C

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