Foundation marks decade with gift

The Beau Foundation marked its 10th anniversary with a $125,000 donation to Community Clinic’s Prenatal Pathways at the annual Beau Classic benefit golf tournament July 1 at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers. July 1 was also the first day of Prenatal CareWeek.

Gwen and Terry Matthews started the nonprofit organization in memory of their late son, Beau Alexander Matthews.

The foundation supportsand promotes prenatal care in Northwest Arkansas.

With the help of the Beau Foundation, Prenatal Pathways has assisted more than 10,000 low-income, uninsured women with access to quality prenatal care. Care extends through the 28th week of pregnancy and includes prenatal exams, laboratory tests, dietary counseling and prenatal vitamins.

Medical costs for infants born underweight are estimated to be nearly 10 times higher than babies born at normal weight (roughly $32,000 versus $3,200). Early prenatal care and proper nutrition are also associated with the reduction of developmental and mental delays in children, which in the long run reduces special education costs.

Prenatal Pathways services are available at Community Clinics in Rogers, Springdale and Siloam Springs.

The foundation started a social media giving opportunity last year, the Vitamins for Moms and Babies Campaign. Along with raising money for vitamins, the campaign helps the group spread the word about the importance of folic acid, iron and calcium for expectant mothers.

Teams taking top honors in the benefit tourney were:

First place - Mel Parks, Hayley Parks, Phil Walker and Trent Knight.

Second place - A tie Jim Joy, Michael Dryer (who aced the first hole), Mike Stout and Richard Johnson and John George, Chris Collins, Steven Dixon and Joe Douglas.

Third place - Nathan Smith, Darren Field, John McKuin and Keith Westmoreland.

Corey Coffman won a trip to Las Vegas for his hole in one on the 11th hole.

Fayetteville attorney Bobby Odom welcomed some 700 attorneys, judges, politicians and local celebrities and served up 750 pounds of shrimp and crawfish at his 41st annual Seafood Jubilee on the afternoon of July 12 at the Elks Lodge in Fayettevile.

Those assembling for seafood included Judge Bill Storey, Judge Mark Lindsay, W.H. Taylor, Woody Bassett, Susan and Eric Heil, Judge John Fogleman, Al Witte, John Threet, Casey Jones, Jamie and Sam Pittman and Jen and Bret Bielema.

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