In the news
March 30 - April 5, 2026
Sanford Tollette retires after 50 years from Pfeifer Kiwanis Camp
After five decades of extraordinary service, Sanford Tollette has retired from Pfeifer Kiwanis Camp in Little Rock, Arkansas, leaving behind a powerful legacy of mentorship, leadership, and life-changing impact on thousands of Central Arkansas youth. Over the course of his career, Tollette received numerous honors for his work, including recognition as a White House Champion of Change.
For 50 years, Tollette devoted his life to ensuring that more than 12,000 children—many from underserved communities—experienced a free summer camp program designed to build character, responsibility, confidence, and resilience.
From 1988 to 2020, Tollette also expanded the camp’s reach through the Alternative Classroom Experience (ACE), an award-winning residential educational program that served nearly 5,000 at-risk third, fourth, and fifth graders across Central Arkansas.
Over a 20-year period, teachers and parents of more than 3,100 participating ACE students reported lasting improvements in academic performance, behavior, and self-esteem following the program’s one-month residential experience. These results were documented in the article “The Positive Impact of a One-Month At-Risk Experiential Education Program: Twenty Years of Academic, Behavioral, and Self-Esteem Data,” published in Schools: Studies in Education (Spring 2025) by Dr. Simon Priest, Melinda “Binky” Martin-Tollette, and Sanford Tollette.
The research also highlighted the program’s financial value, estimating that preventing grade retention created an 11-to-1 return on investment for school districts—approximately $1.7 million in annual savings compared to $150,000 in program costs for 150 students.
Celebration Dinner
To recognize Tollette’s extraordinary contributions, the community is invited to celebrate his retirement at a special event:
Friday, May 1, 2026 — 6:00 PM; RSVP by April 24, 2026
Location–Pfeifer Kiwanis Camp, 5512 Ferndale Cutoff Rd, Little Rock, AR 72223
Hosted by David Bazzel, the evening will feature a steak dinner, music, guest speakers, and tributes celebrating Tollette’s 50 years of service to youth in Little Rock and beyond.
“This is our opportunity to show up for Sanford the way he has shown up for generations of children,” said Kiwanis Activities, Inc. Chair Charlie Coleman. “His leadership has shaped countless lives, and now it’s time for the community to celebrate him.”
Former AmeriCorps camp counselor Dr. Dustin Krein of the University of South Florida shared, “Sanford’s spirit, leadership, and the way he showed up every single day continues to influence me in a profound way.”
Continuing the Mission
Pfeifer Kiwanis Camp is owned and operated by Kiwanis Activities of Little Rock, Inc. Since 1929, the Downtown Kiwanis Club of Little Rock has supported the camp through its Campership Campaign, providing free residential summer camp experiences for economically disadvantaged youth ages 9–14.
A $500 donation provides a full campership for one child, covering a week of outdoor experiences, mentorship, and personal growth.
Proceeds from the retirement celebration will benefit the Pfeifer Kiwanis Camp summer program, helping ensure that Tollette’s mission of serving youth continues for generations to come.
Tickets: $50 per person
bit.ly/sanford50
Donate to support the camp’s mission:
https://www.pfeifercamp.com/get-involved/donate/
Contact: 501-821-3714 or pfeifercamp@gmail.com
Community members, former campers, counselors, and supporters are encouraged to attend and be part of this historic celebration honoring a lifetime of service.
Photo caption:
Sanford Tollette
