Entergy Arkansas employees are known for powering the state, but during the 2025 Great Arkansas Cleanup, they powered a cleaner, greener community.

Each fall, thousands of Arkansans roll up their sleeves to take part in the state’s largest community improvement effort, organized by Keep Arkansas Beautiful. It encourages volunteers to remove litter from roadsides, parks and waterways. This year, more than 30 Entergy Arkansas employees joined the effort in downtown Little Rock – transforming a typical workday into one of teamwork, environmental stewardship and community pride.

“We want to encourage everyone to keep our communities clean – not just here in Little Rock but in our own neighborhoods too,” Entergy Arkansas Claims Specialist Skylar Staton said.

The volunteers divided into small groups. Each one was assigned specific streets in a 42-block area surrounding Simmons Tower. Within minutes, sidewalks and curbsides began to look noticeable tidier as bags filled with plastic bottles, wrappers and other debris.

“With Entergy covering such a large territory here in the state, it’s just a great opportunity for us to give back not just in Little Rock but across Arkansas – the places we live, the places our customers live,” Entergy Arkansas Grid Senior Manager Austin Thompson said.

The cleanup goes beyond appearance. It helps prevent litter from washing into the Arkansas River, a crucial waterway that runs just blocks from Entergy Arkansas’ headquarters.

“We’re so close to the Arkansas river so it’s really important that we keep our downtown clean and ultimately keep the Arkansas river clean,” Entergy Arkansas Senior Analyst Kristen Dane said. “It’s important at the community level and it supports Entergy’s commitment to environmental action.”

The effort was made possible with the help of Keep Arkansas Beautiful and Friends of Fourche Creek, who not only provided the supplies but an opportunity for colleagues from across departments to connect outside of the office.

“It’s a small way for us to come together and make a visible difference,” Dane said.

As trash bags piled up and the streets began to sparkle again, volunteers reflected on the value of the experience.

“We want our customers to know we’re not just here to provide electricity. We are part of the community,” Staton said.

In a single morning, Entergy Arkansas employees proved that powering communities means more than keeping the lights on – it’s also about lighting the way toward a cleaner, brighter future for all Arkansans.

Entergy Arkansas is committed to environmental stewardship, creating long-term, sustainable value for the communities it serves. To learn more visit https://www.entergy.com/environment.