Rush Harding to Receive 2025 Arkansas Children’s Award

For 30 years, Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches has recognized Arkansans who have made outstanding contributions to create better opportunities for Arkansas children. These Arkansans personify in word and deed the ideals of the Ranch, and hundreds gather each year to pay tribute to their dedication at the Arkansas Children’s Award Dinner.

This year, we are excited to present the 30th annual Arkansas Children’s Award to Rush Harding, a generous advocate for building hopeful futures for Arkansas youth.

Rush was raised in the Delta community of Clarendon, the son of a legendary high school coach and a beloved home economics teacher and guidance counselor. Rush excelled as a young man, earning his Eagle Scout Award at 13 and serving as student body President and class Valedictorian. After attending the United States Military Academy at West Point, he graduated from what is now the University of Central Arkansas. After that, he entered the financial services industry in Little Rock and forged a meaningful career over the last 50 years. Children and their wellbeing have long been a top priority for Rush and his wife, Linda. They have sponsored a Christmas program for Clarendon children the past 40 consecutive years, providing toys, food, and clothing for disadvantaged youth. They built a new field house for the Clarendon High School football team and have helped send an entire class of students to New York City to reward their academic achievements. They have also endowed a scholarship for UCA students. For these reasons, and many more, we are pleased to honor Rush Harding with our 30^th annual Arkansas Children’s Award.