More than $82,000 was raised at the 20th annual Angel Gala benefiting Havenwood Feb. 22 at DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel in Bentonville.
This was the gala's highest total ever, said Jackie Schnedler, Havenwood's executive director. The event raised about $68,000 last year, and a few years ago, the total was about $12,000, she noted. Funds from the gala will help Havenwood "continue to advance our programming, case management and development for the organization," she said. Havenwood is a nonprofit organization that provides transitional housing for single parents and resources to help break down the barriers each family faces in order to move from homelessness to self-sufficiency, according to the organization's website, nwahavenwood.org. Schnedler said Havenwood is not a beginning or an end for people.
At A Glance
Angel Gala
Who: Havenwood
When: Feb. 22
Where: DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel in Bentonville
Amount raised: More than $82,000
Information: 273-1060 or nwahavenwood.org
"Havenwood is a turning point," she said.
About 230 people attended the event, which included dinner, a silent auction, a live auction, dancing and volunteer awards, beginning with the John Foss Award, which was established to recognize individuals or groups that have made a lasting impact on the lives of Havenwood families. It was awarded to the Bentonville Church of the Nazarene. The Havenwood Angel Award, which was established to recognize individuals or groups that make a difference in the lives of Havenwood residents, went to Schreiber Foods.
A silent auction and live auction brought in more than $8,000 and $9,400, respectively, Schnedler said. Some of the items included a cocker spaniel puppy and pet accessories package, a Disney World package, a four-course dinner for eight at the Jackson House, Gaston's Resort White River weekend trout fishing trip for two and an Angel Gala painting created by the children at Havenwood. There was also a raffle of a Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0.
During the evening, guest speaker DeLinda Mace, a Havenwood volunteer, spoke about being a child of abuse.
"During my childhood, I was unaware that my situation wasn't normal, and I believe that is how I survived it," Mace said. "Although I was raised in an abusive environment, I survived it, and I managed to be successful.
"In today's world, we have a different approach to these situations, and we recognize the benefit of assistance that makes a difference for all of the generations that follow. There wasn't a Havenwood when I was a child, so we didn't have the same opportunities to get help as you do today," Mace said.
Since getting involved with Havenwood, Mace said she often thinks "about how different my life would have been," if she had somewhere to go for assistance. She is glad that there is now help for people who need to take themselves out of unacceptable situations. She added that Havenwood is a huge asset to the community, and its programs continue to change lives for many generations.
NAN Profiles on 03/02/2014