BENTONVILLE — If the warm-up was any indicator, the 2010 Heart Gala is going to be an enormous success.
More than $30,000 was raised Dec. 11 when chairmen Suzy and Chuck Fehlig hosted a kickoff party at the exquisitely-appointed home of Pamm and Paul Prebil.
Those who committed to being sponsors were allowed to select their tables for the 11th annual affair, which will be May 15 at the John Q. Hammons Convention Center in Rogers. This is the first year sponsors can choose where they will sit.
It’s one of a number of changes for the gala, which has a Midway Carnival theme next year.There will be eight carnival games, and for $200 each, certain ticket holders will have the opportunity to play for valuable prizes. Best Buy, Sony Games, Fuse Fitness and the Northwest Arkansas Heart Association board have already signed on as sponsors.
The number of silent auction items will be reduced to 50 but increased in value, and thus expected to fetch between $200 and $3,000 apiece. There will be four live-auction items, as well.
Organizers are shooting for a guest list of 800 and fundraising goal of $300,000. Gala director Christina Hinds said more than $190,000 has already been committed.
PHOTOS ON THE WEB
Northwest Profile, Pages 42 on 12/20/2009