The Northwest Arkansas Go Red for Women event on Feb. 11 brought in a record-breaking $455,000 for the American Heart Association and saw some 1,300 luncheon guests filling the ballroom at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers. The benefit handily surpassed the nonprofit organization's goal of $375,000.
The morning portion of the fundraiser included the Purse-onality purse auction and education expo and concluded with lunch and keynote speaker Rachael Ray. Rachael spoke candidly and even shared with us the origin of her signature "yummo."
Go Red for Women
Who: American Heart Association
What: The 11th annual Northwest Arkansas event raised $455,000 for the American Heart Association.
When: Feb. 11
Where: John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers
Information: (479) 442-6540 or heart.org
It’s a Wonderful Life
Who: Youth Bridge
What: Proceeds from the benefit will help support programs in Benton and Washington counties.
When: Feb. 13
Where: John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers
Information: (479) 575-9471 or youthbridge.com
When she first started on television, she'd take a taste and exclaim, "Yum! Oh my gawd, that's so good!" Some viewers objected to the the phrase, though. She had trouble re-calibrating at first, so it came out, "Yum! Oh ..." before she caught herself.
Those going red for women's heart health included Celia Swanson, Allison and Scott Salmon, Laresa and Dan McKay, Suzy Fehlig, Carrie Moore, Stephanie Link, Nancy Mueller, Gail Walters, Theresa Barrera, Betsy Phillips, Pat Driscoll, Jane Bullinger, Cindy Mac Naughton and Pam Jones.
Youth Bridge's It's a Wonderful Life on Feb. 13 also reached unprecedented highs with some 400 guests helping raise more than $152,000. The previous high total was $70,000 in 2012.
The fundraiser included dinner, live and silent auctions, a balloon pop and playing ThinkFast trivia game hosted by Will Krahn.
Proceeds from the evening will help support the nonprofit organization's Benton County Emergency Shelter for youth and the Transitional Living Program in Fayetteville.
The 50-year-old organization serves eight counties in northwestern and north-central Arkansas, helping youth and their families. Areas of focus include abuse, neglect, addiction, behavioral problems and homelessness.
Among those backing Youth Bridge were Cathy and John Rhodes, Debbie Self, Nancy and Dick Trammel, Eileen and Jeff Schomburger, Dick Johnson, Becky Paneitz, Shawn Baldwin, Julie and Dick Johnson, Betsy and Loyd Phillips, Karolyn and Don Farrell, Shirley and Pete Esch and Volunteers of the Year Kama Marsh and Kyrie Leaf.
Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected].
NAN Profiles on 02/23/2014