LITTLE ROCK — The seventh annual Prenatal Charity Luncheon and Beau Classic Golf Tournament to benefit the Beau Foundation brought in more than $110,000 with more than $12,000 coming in during a 10-minute drive for prenatal vitamin funding during the luncheon.
The luncheon, held July 12 in the Pinnacle Country Club dining room, saw nearly 200 supporters.
The charity helps support Prenatal Pathways in Northwest Arkansas through Community Clinic in Springdale, Rogers and Siloam Springs.
The clinics give low-income and uninsured women access to prenatal services.
It’s estimated that 2,000 women and their babies will receive services in 2010.
Terry Matthews, who started the Beau Foundation with his wife Gwen, told us the organization has raised $1 million in the last seven years, helping about 10,000 Northwest Arkansas women and their babies through early prenatal care and prenatal vitamins.
Early care and proper nutrition are connected with reducing developmental and mental delays in children, thus cutting down on the need for special education.
Arkansas Surgeon General Dr. Joe Thompson was on hand for the luncheon and lauded Gwen and Terry, saying they have a “remarkable set of accomplishments to have such an impact on lives” through the foundation.
Gwen and Terry, with daughters Brooke and Brittany, made a surprise $100,000 check presentation for the Community Clinic to Executive Director Kathy Grisham.
Kathy told us that their board of directors “had been in meetings for years about the need for prenatal care in Northwest Arkansas.
The Matthews family made that happen.”
Those boosting healthy births included Anita Scism, Karen Parker, Debbie Evans, Cindee and Roger Joslin, Dick Trammel, Cambre Horne-Brooks, Alicia Cantrell and Christen Chamberlain.
Local Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation supporters are “Wild for a Cure” for this year’s Walk for a Cure slated for Sept. 18.
Corporate sponsors and team captains, along with family team captains, gathered on July 14 for the annual kickoff luncheon at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers.
Carl Collier, corporate chairman, told us that his pharmacy has always supported the organization, but when his granddaughter Katelyn was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes two years ago, he heightened his involvement. “When diabetes comes to call, everyone steps up.”
Carl told the group he was confident that, with their help, the Northwest Arkansas branch would make its $325,000 goal “with flying colors.”
Those kicking off for a cure included Kim and Perry Jacobi, Brandie Perry, Ashley and Chuck Bloch, Shannon Passmore, Kari Hale and Tina Brinkley.
I stopped by the 2010 Adult Awards Banquet held by the Elizabeth Richardson Center on July 17.
The organization provides services to children and adults with disabilities. This annual dinner celebrates the successes of those in the adult program, their “All-Star Clients.”
Clients and their friends and families gathered at The Event Place in Fayetteville for pizza, sodas and cake.
Among those celebrating were Maria Henderson, Amy Bates, Shirley and Lloyd Thomas and Linda Gragg.
OUR TOWN COLUMNIST CARIN SCHOPPMEYER CAN BE REACHED BY E-MAILING [email protected] OR BY PHONING 872-5049.
Our Town, Pages 13 on 07/25/2010