SPRINGDALE — Even a losing bet will be a victory.
The Arkansas Support Network will hold its first “A Night at the Races” fundraiser July 20 at the Fayetteville Town Center. During the event, three recorded horse races will be shown on a large screen.
The horses will have corporate sponsorships, and event guests will have the opportunity to “bet” on the horses.
“It’s not Hot Springs, where there’s odds, but if your horse wins, you’ll wina prize,” says Calvin Jarrett of Fayetteville, a member of the event’s planning committee. “It should be a lot of fun, and hopefully we’ll raise some funds in the process.”
Tickets to the fundraiser are $30 apiece, or $50 for VIP tickets, which get holders in an hour early to peruse auction items, unbridled trips to the wine and beer bar, and two additional tickets for betting. People who cannot attend but would like to bet on a horse may do so for $10.
Proceeds will support the network’s KidsClub, afree summer program of activities for children with disabilities. Begun in 1997 in Fayetteville, KidsClub has expanded to make it easier for more children to participate. By partnering with activity centers, there are now locations in Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers and Siloam Springs.
KidsClub has also increased in length, going from a four-week program to nine weeks.
“KidsClub is a pretty cool program,” Jarrett says. “For kids with disabilities, it’s sort of a summer-recprogram. My son worked in it years ago, helping the kids. It’s a tough job but a great job; he really grew from it and helped some kids along the way.”
It is but one of the many ways the network has helped people with disabilities and their families since its founding in 1988. It began with the idea that, given a hand, disabled people are capable of being productive citizens. On its website, the network says, “Our job is to assist, not control.”
For example, it helps clients live independently by assisting with their personal care, providing education, job support and training, and offering scholarships.
To make sure its services are being put to the best use, Jarrett says, half of the network’s board is comprised of individuals with disabilities or their family members.
“Arkansas Support Network wants to enable the families and help the clients, to where they can live in the community and make contributions,” Jarrett says. “There are people who have pretty [serious] disabilities, but they have jobs and they have homes.
“That’s the mission. People with disabilities have a lot to contribute. If you remove somebody from the general population, their life is not going to be as rich.”
Jarrett has been a member of the network’s board of directors for more than adecade, and is currently its secretary. He is also on the committee for its annual concert fundraiser.
He says that the organization’s commitment to helping people with disabilities make better lives for themselves is something that resonates with him.
“I know that the money is used well, and I like when people are genuinely happy for the assistance they receive, as opposed to thinking it’s some sort of entitlement,” he says. “I just really like that about ASN. You’re not going to find a better client base and better parents. You’re not going to find an organization that uses your money better, or people who are more appreciative.” For more information about the Arkansas Support Network’s “A Night at the Races,” call (479) 927-4100 or visit
supports.org.
Northwest Profile, Pages 33 on 07/01/2012