Chocolates and Champagne kicked off an evening of shoe shopping at the Walk a Mile in My Shoes … Sale Preview Party on Jan. 23 at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale. Ozark Guidance Foundation supporters were then treated to a private viewing and shopping of the benefit sale of new and gently used shoes and handbags before the sale opened to the public on Jan. 24 and 25.

The preview party was also an opportunity for many to meet Cynthia Curatalo, newchief executive of Ozark Guidance.

She told us she’s looking “forward to working with you to build new and better roads toward mental health.”

Organizers tell methat this year’s shoe shopping crowd through the weekend was some 1,500 strong and helped the nonprofit group raise more than $100,000. Proceeds will go toward supporting counseling services for children, families and adults.

Ozark Guidance serves Benton, Carroll, Madison and Washington counties, serving more than 13,500 residents in the past year.

The nonprofit organization provided more than $3.4 million in uncompensated care in that time.

Those previewing the pumps and purses and promoting mental wellness included Seong Ohm, preview party honorary host and Sam’s Club senior vice president of merchandise services, Staci Clinkscales, Mandy Macke, Kristin Guyton, Lisa Smith, Adrian Luttrell, Johnny Mike Walker, Curtis Northcutt, Erica Booth, April Kelley, Vayla Thomas, Cherise Allison and Amiee York and Susan Henke, shoe sale co-chairwomen.

The 2014 Le Chocolate Feast on Jan. 25, with the help of local chocolatiers, restaurants and caterers, reeled in some $8,000 for area breast cancer support nonprofit organizations Pink Divas of Northwest Arkansas and Reeling and Healing.

Pink Divas are breast cancer survivors who offer education, encouragement, comfort and financial support to others going through diagnosis and treatment.

Reeling and Heeling hosts fly-fishing wellness retreats for women surviving cancer.

The next retreat is slated for May 30-June 1 at Gaston’s White River Resort in Lakeview.

This year’s chocolate champs at the tasting and contest were: Boardwalk Bar & Grill - Most Original Royal Treats - Best Display NorthWest Arkansas Community College Culinary Arts - Best Tasting and Royal Treats - People’s Choice Award.

Those gathering for the feast included Kerri Russell, Carolyn Morris, Roberta Billingsley, Jan Fox, Wilma Hawkins, Sharon Rogers, Joyce Lundstrom, Rosseal King and Carolyn Baier.

AT A GLANCE

Le Chocolate Feast Who: Pink Divas of Northwest Arkansas and Reeling and Healing What: Annual chocolate tasting helped raise approximately $8,000 for local breast cancer groups.

When: Jan. 25 Where: Northwest Arkansas Mall in Fayetteville Information: fishon.org or [email protected]Walk a Mile

in My Shoes … Sale Who: Ozark Guidance Foundation What: The shoe and handbag sale saw some 1,500 shoppers who helped raise more than $100,000 to support counseling services for children and adults.

When: VIP Preview Party Jan. 23 Where: Arvest Ballpark in Springdale Information: (479) 695-1240 or ozarkguidance.orgColumnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected].

Northwest Profile, Pages 31 on 02/02/2014