Support rains in for Soiree

The Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville welcomed Friends of the WAC on May 20 for a reception in their honor to show the arts center's appreciation for their support.

The gathering was also an opportunity to announce a $500,000 gift from Tyson Foods to the nonprofit organization in support of the Investing in Our Future: The Expansion of Walton Arts Center $23 million campaign to add 30,000 square feet to the center.

Sara Lilygren, Tyson Foods executive vice president of corporate affairs, said: "We find it important to give back to this community, and we're delighted to support access to cultural and recreational assets like the Walton Arts Center."

Peter Lane, arts center chief executive officer, said the nonprofit organization's expansion of space will focus on three areas: front of the house (lobby); back of the house (offices, etc.); and Starr Theater will grow by 15 percent.

Other recent gifts to the campaign have included $1 million from Marti and Kelly Sudduth, $500,000 from General Mills, $5 million from the Walton Family Foundation, $1.5 from the Walmart Foundation and $500,000 from J.B. Hunt Transport.

Walton Arts Center friends gathering included Hannah and Greg Lee, Sheri Rothwell and Woody Bassett, Billie Starr, Joan and Bruce Johnson, Bill Mitchell, Tommy DeWeese, Dash Goff and Deborah Thomas and David Malone.

Soggy weather May 29 didn't dampen the spirits of guests at the inaugural NWA Red Shoe Soiree in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkhoma.

The benefit at 21c Museum Hotel in Bentonville was at capacity with more than 180 guests who helped the nonprofit organization raise more than $57,000 for the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Mercy NWA in Rogers.

The area is a place of respite so families with critically ill children may stay close to them while they are hospitalized.

The room is actually 3,600 square feet on the hospital's third floor consisting of four sleeping rooms, a full and stocked kitchen, playroom, television room, shower and laundry room.

Since it opened in July 2013, more than 1,800 families have used the room.

Ella and Wes Shelton presented the inaugural Taylor Award to the Mathews family -- Vickie and Bill Mathews and Bette and Walter Mathews. The Sheltons established the Taylor McKeen Shelton Foundation in memory of their son, who passed away at 14 months old due to Sudden Unexplained Death of a Child (SUDC) in June 2013. The foundation helps support SUDC research.

The Taylor Award is "given to a company or individual who supports the efforts of Ronald McDonald House Charities and our mission to find, create and support programs to improve the health and well-being of children."

The Mathews family owns and operates 34 McDonald's in our area. Ella Shelton said before presenting the award, "While McDonald's is our largest corporate partner, they are not obligated to much beyond their in-store promotions of RMHC. However, the Mathews family has always made RMHC their charity of choice and have gone above and beyond to ensure the success of our mission."

Those donning ruby slippers or other footwear for the festivities included Meredith and Kyle Brunen, Katie and Russell Bloodworth, Joyce and Dave Pollard, Liz and Robbie Lusk, Gena and Matt Bumgarner, Missy and Jeff Clifton, Connie and Nick White, Dorothy and Al Hanby, Laura and Greg Fogle and Courtney and Matt Kistler, master of ceremonies.

For more event photos -- nwadg.com/photos/society

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

NAN Profiles on 06/07/2015