The Sunshine Gala drew in $65,000 for the Benton County Sunshine School April 13 at Horton Farms in Gravette.

The gala, which was themed “Country Chic,” included dinner, a silent and live auction and casino-style gaming. The majority of the proceeds raised will go toward the programs and services offered by the Sunshine School, said Summer Backstrom, the school’s development director.

These range from physical, occupational and speech therapies for children in the therapeutic preschool to services for adults with disabilities in order to help them within the community,she added.

The school also has some children in the classrooms that are typically developing with no delays at all, Backstrom said. She noted the school is striving for integration, and childrenwith and without disabilities learn from one another and grow together.

Liz Hogan and Brad Reed were emcees at the gala. Al Dominguez and Joe Grady were honorary hosts and are also Benton County Sunshine School Board of Directors members.

During the event, there was a special appeal to sponsor a classroom, and $15,000 was raised. Backstrom said there are 16 classrooms, each has day-today supply needs and some have specialized equipment for children with developmental disabilities.

Classrooms also need new toys, puzzles, games and books.

There are certain guidelines for each room, and this money will be used to help the school keep the classrooms updated, she said.

The event also included a video presentation and a testimony by Susan Roberts, the parent of a child who attends the school.

There were seven live auction items, which brought in a total of $20,750, Backstrom said. She added that a wine tour in Napa and Sonoma, Calif., was the biggest moneymaker, drawing $10,000. Some of the other items included a gourmet dinner for eight people at the home of Dr. Malcolm and Ellen Hayward, a suite for 20 people at Arvest Ballpark to see the Northwest Arkansas Naturals and 10 tickets and a suite to see the Dallas Stars.

The silent auction raised $8,630, Backstrom said.

Music was provided by Jamie Wolfe & the Wranglers.

AT A GLANCE Sunshine Gala Who: Benton County Sunshine School When: April 13 Where: Horton Farms in Gravette Amount raised: $65,000 Information: 636-3190 or nwabcss.org

Northwest Profile, Pages 40 on 04/21/2013