AT OUR BEST

Richardson Center celebrates

Children focus for kids’ club and museum

The Elizabeth Richardson Center celebrated its 50th anniversary with the Hearts of Gold banquet, honoring the organization’s pillars and pioneers April 18 at Mermaids in Fayetteville. Some 125 volunteers, supporters and donors joined the group to mark the milestone.

The nonprofit organization that serves individuals with disabilities operates five developmental child care centers for preschoolers and offers job training for high school students.

Programs for adults include job and life skills training, residential options and community employment opportunities.

Don Soderquist, former senior vice chairman of Walmart, the event’s keynote speaker, praised private nonprofit organizations like the Richardson Center for being visionaries in addressing community needs.

The group presented awards to those who have made a difference for them. Recipients were:

Walmart PMDC - Richardson Industries Partner of the Year

Springdale Kiwanis - Special Recognition Award

Carol Taylor - Volunteer of the Year

Doris and John Shuldt - Pioneer Award

Kathy Jaycox - Pillar Award

Those marking half a century with the center included Beth and Larry Templeton, Bobby Nell Templeton, Robert Richardson, Joe Richardson, Janet Baker and Wade Burnside, Steve Litzinger, Joan Armstrong, Linda Brown, Amy and David Bates, Judy Jacobs and Eva Madison.

The Great Futures Gala on April 19 at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers grew this year to some 650 guests who helped raise about $55,000 for the Boys & Girls Club of Benton County.

The club recognized community members for their work to help the event grow with the Champions for Youth Awards. Jim Breach, Brian Kavanaugh, Suzy Fehlig, Ryan Harrington, Lorie Meyer and Bobby Bland were named as this year’s recipients.

Among those gathering for great futures were Beth and Tregg Brown, Betsy Reithemeyer, Terry Allen, Ashley Buchanon, Susan and Nick Flint and Tricia and Jerry Carmichael.

Local celebrities kicked up their heels April 20 for the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Museum’s sixth annual Dancing With the Stars of Northwest Arkansas. The dance competition drew 650 to the Hammons Center to raise money for the Be Amazed! capital campaign.

This year’s dancer’s were Kelly Cradduck, Marshall Ney, Dick Trammel, Annie Walker, Annetta Young and Kelly Zega.

The judges, Sandy Edwards, Peter Lane and Susan Burkart, were former celebrity dancers in previous fundraisers.

Annie Walker swept the awards, taking home the Because of You Award for having raised the most money for the organization and the Be Amazed! Award for best dancer.

Those helping bring a children’s museum to Northwest Arkansas included Mechelle and Jack Sinclair, Scott Tassani, Elda and Eric Scott, Denise Garner, Theresa and Bob Arvin and Larisa and Brandon Ivy.

Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected]

Northwest Profile, Pages 37 on 04/28/2013

Upcoming Events