Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Now in its 28th year, the annual “Have-a-Heart” fundraiser for Make-A-Wish Mid-South has been announced for Feb. 13, and has volunteer opportunities available.

Each year, the nonprofit partners with Jonesboro Media Group (JMG) and KAIT 8 to host a day-long fundraiser raising money to make wishes come true for children battling critical illnesses.

Set up in Jonesboro and various towns across Northeast Arkansas are “roadblocks” staffed with volunteers to collect donations.

“We start at six in the morning,” explained Christie Matthews, sales manager and on-air talent at JMG. “From six to nine, we’re at major intersections collecting donations. We set up shop on the corners, people hold up signs and buckets, and accept donations.”

Last year’s event raised nearly $550,000 for Make-A-Wish Mid-South. All of the money raised stays in Northeast Arkansas to support the 10 counties in this region. Each of the roadblocks has a captain who oversees the location and coordinates the volunteers.

“Overall, throughout the day, across all 18 roadblocks, we have close to 500 volunteers,” said Matthews. “Many of the captains have been with us for several years. Sometimes people will be out there all day. We bring food and drinks to everybody. Restaurants will donate coffee, breakfast sandwiches, and pizza, stuff like that, for lunch.”

Make-A-Wish is looking for volunteers to staff the roadblocks now, and the opportunity is open to individuals or groups seeking to volunteer, whether that be for a couple of hours or all day.

“We want to encourage civic organizations and business owners to allow their employees to come out and volunteer a couple of hours of their time,” said Matthews. “We have some people, like the factories, that will do that. That’s always great.”

The day of fundraising culminates at Embassy Suites in Jonesboro. There, the totals from each of the roadblocks are tallied, and a check is presented to Make-A-Wish. In total, Make-A-Wish Mid-South has granted nearly 8,000 wishes.

Anyone interested in signing up can do so on the Make-A-Wish website or by calling (901) 680-9747.

Below are the roadblock locations seeking volunteers. Those interested in volunteering should sign up before Monday, Feb. 8.

  • Bay
    • Hwy 463 and Elder St.
  • Bono
    • Old Hwy 63B at the stoplight
  • Brookland
    • Hwy 49B and School St.
  • Caraway
    • Hwy 158 and Hwy 135
  • Corning
    • Hwy 62 and Hwy 67
  • Harrisburg
    • Hwy 1 and Hwy 14
  • Jonesboro
    • Highland Dr. and Caraway Rd.
    • Red Wolf Blvd. and Nettleton Ave.
  • Leachville
    • 3rd and Main St.
  • Lepanto
    • Hwy 134 and Hwy 140
  • Marked Tree
    • Hwy 463 and Hester Park Dr.
  • Paragould
    • Hwy 41 and Carroll Rd.
  • Piggott
    • Hwy 62 at Main and 3rd St.
  • Pocahontas
    • Park, Pyburn and Town Square
  • Rector
    • Hwy 49 and Hwy 90
  • Trumann
    • Hwy 463 and Hwy 69
  • Walnut Ridge
    • Front St. and Main St.
  • Weiner
    • Hwy 49 and Roadside Park