Jimmy Wayne, country singer, speaker and author, shared his story and performed a mini concert for nearly 500 LifeSource International supporters at the group’s annual Nurturing Hope benefit banquet. The road to success for the 40-year-old was not an easy one and started with achildhood that saw him in and out of foster care and sometimes living on the street with his younger sister.
Organizers of theMay 2 fundraiser at the Fayetteville Town Center asked the dinner’s caterers to set each 10-person table with seven salad plates to start the meal. When all were assembled, the ones without salads were asked to stand. Serina Tustin, director of development for the nonprofit organization, said those who stood depicted the approximate percentage of Fayetteville residents who deal with hunger - about 28 percent. (They were then served their salads.)
The event raised about $60,000 for the organization, whose programs include food assistance for individuals and families in need. Other programs include counseling, adult education, Kids Life, medical referral and offerings for senior citizens.
Kids Life, an eight-week summer day camp for low-income kids going into second grade through 12th grade, will begin June 3.
Among those Nurturing Hope for Life-Source were Brenda and Randy Laney, Tamara and John Roberts, Jeri and Paul Flynn and Sahara and Jimmie Conduff.
A Nite at the Races on May 4 made a winner out of Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
The fundraiser at the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville was hosted by the Northwest Arkansas Circle of Friends chapter and helped raise some $7,000.
The Kentucky Derby watch party started with a horse auction before post time with guests “buying” horses running in the Derby.
The group helps support the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Those cheering on the ponies for Children’s included Jami and Troy Dugger, Stacye and Jason Peebles, Russ Taylor, Rebecca Newcome, Tara Dorminy, Geri Edwards and Toni and Chris Bahn.
Supporters of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas gathered May 6 at Serendipity in Rogers to help the group Celebrate Little Moments. The mentoring organization holds the annual event to honor those who have been exeptional “Bigs” to their “Littles.” This year’s honorees were Erin Scott, Big Sister of the Year; Paul Gehrki, Big Brother of the Year; and the Kathy and Joe Farnan family, Big Family of the Year.
Among those celebrating were Hannah and Greg Lee, Bo Bittle, Asa Hutchinson III and guest speakers Sharon Orlopp and Bret Bielema.
Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected].
Northwest Profile, Pages 35 on 05/19/2013