15 Dec 2025 City of Cabot named a 2025 Volunteer Community of the Year
CABOT — The City of Cabot has been selected as a 2025 Volunteer Community of the Year Award recipient, recognizing the community’s outstanding citizen engagement, community-led service initiatives and impactful local projects. The award will be presented on Jan. 15, 2026, during the Arkansas Municipal League’s (AML) Winter Conference in Little Rock at the Statehouse Convention Center.
The Volunteer Community of the Year Award, co-sponsored by the Governor’s Advisory Commission on National Service and Volunteerism (Engage Arkansas) and the Arkansas Municipal League, honors municipalities that address community needs through city-led volunteerism and civic engagement. Annual awards are presented across several categories, including Best City (20,000+ population), Best Mid-Sized Town (5,000–20,000), Best Small Town (5,000 or fewer), Most Innovative, Most Sustainable, Most Resilient, and Most Youth Engagement. Winners receive two road signs designating their community as a “2025 Volunteer Community of the Year.”
Cabot earned the Best City designation for its exceptional city-wide volunteer involvement in the annual Household Hazardous Waste Round-Up. Led by Cabot City Beautiful and supported by multiple municipal departments, the event mobilizes more than 60 volunteers who serve hundreds of residents. The program diverts thousands of pounds of hazardous materials from the landfill each year. This long-standing, scalable initiative reflects the city’s commitment to sustainability, youth engagement, and strong community partnerships.
“We are honored to receive this recognition,” said Mayor Ken Kincade. “Cabot’s volunteers do not just show up, they lead. Their willingness to give their time, talent, and energy reflects the heart of our community. This award belongs to every resident who rolls up their sleeves to make Cabot cleaner, stronger, and more connected. We could not be more proud or more grateful.”
The Volunteer Community of the Year Award highlights the importance of city led civic engagement, from citizen committees and advisory boards to community wide service events and sustainable initiatives. It is designed to empower cities to meet local needs and build a stronger, more unified community. With this honor, the City of Cabot continues its tradition of service, innovation, and community engagement, and looks forward to expanding volunteer-driven impact in the years ahead.
About the City of Cabot: Cabot’s convenient Central Arkansas location offers easy access to major metropolitan resources while preserving the charm of a small town, supporting a thriving business community and exceptional quality of life. As one of the fastest growing cities in the state, Cabot continues to balance historic revitalization with future focused development, attracting new businesses, strengthening existing ones, and welcoming residents and visitors alike.
About the Volunteer Community of the Year Award: Administered by Engage Arkansas, the Volunteer Community of the Year Award honors municipalities across the state that demonstrate strong citizen involvement and community-driven service initiatives. As Arkansas’s coordinating body for civic engagement and national service, Engage Arkansas partners with local governments, nonprofits, and public agencies to build service-oriented communities. Nominations are accepted from August through October each year, with winners selected by a panel of judges and recognized at the Arkansas Municipal League’s winter conference. More than 130 communities have been honored since the award’s inception nearly 45 years ago.
