LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS:
Letha Rounds is known as a community leader and activist. Most of her efforts are on behalf of children, grandparents and relative caregivers. Letha organizes the annual "Unsung Heroes" banquet in Central Arkansas, which honors children's caregivers.

She also organizes a yearly Grandparents Parade for National Grandparents Day in Little Rock. (Photos of this year's parade will appear here in September.)

For twenty-five years, Ms. Rounds worked as an operating room technician. When she retired in 1994, she immediately began her second career by founding ARK (Advocates and Relatives for Kids). The organization is a resource and advocacy center for area families and caregivers.

Some of her tasks include: coordinating support groups for families; providing intensive case management and crisis intervention services for families; training caregivers in advocacy and parenting skills; and providing information and referrals.

Ms. Rounds has received numerous awards, including recognition for Outstanding Community Service from the Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission; the Capital Citizen's Award, and the J.C. Penney Golden Rule Award. Dearest to her heart is a letter from her grandson, Eric, which is reproduced below.

The National Grandparents Day Council is honored to welcome Ms. Rounds as Media Liason for her state. If you live in Arkansas and have grandparent-related news items you wish to see on this website, contact Ms. Rounds at (501)376-2526.