United We Dance NWA was started seven years ago to bring our community together. We recognized early on that a lot of the individuals that participated in our dances didn’t have the best relationship with the police. This could because the police were involved, and the child was taken away from the family and put into foster care. Perhaps, the child had the cops called on him/her due to a behavioral outburst by a staff member or outside community member. Whatever the case was, we wanted to improve our community’s relationship. We ventured out and spoke with the Fayetteville Police Department. We were very quickly introduced to Corporal Greg Dawson. Corporal Dawson was very happy to come to our dances. In the last few years, he has been to just about all of them. At our dances, he speaks to our participants, takes photos, gives advice, and leads in the YMCA. Sadly, he still won’t hula hoop for us; but, let’s be honest, even Superman had kryptonite.
This year has been a harder year than most; but, especially harder for the good police officers that look after all of us. Last year the Fayetteville Police Department experienced a loss, when one of its officers was ambushed in his car. Officer Stephen Carr left a legacy of love and friendship. We sought out to personally thank the Fayetteville Police Department and their wonderful officers for their support in attending our dances. Our friends at Heroes Coffee Truck in Centeron, Harps Food Stores, Old Tyme Donuts, and Ozark Sportsman helped team up with us to providing a great breakfast for the department and helped us make a contribution to the Stephen Carr Memorial Fund at Bank OZK.
