Camouflage and couture are an unlikely pair -- unless you're celebrating making more stable homes possible for single parent families in Northwest Arkansas, that is.
As for Havenwood's 21st Angel Gala, the Valentine's Day affair was a success, reeling in $80,000 Feb. 14 at the Doubletree Suites in Bentonville.
At a Glance
Camo and Couture
Who: Havenwood
What: The 21st Annual Angel Gala
When: Feb. 14
Where: Doubletree Suites Bentonville
Next: The Sunny Side of Leadership Oct. 8
Information: (479) 273-1060 or nwahavenwood.org
Approximately 200 partygoers enjoyed a cocktail hour, dinner and live music by Maud Crawford. Some dressed from head to toe in camouflage while others played to the theme with a camo blouse or shirt modestly tucked into a blazer. Still more chose the more glamorous route, with sequin-and-glitter cocktail dresses.
Melba Shewmaker was honorary chairwoman of the evening, and Evelyn Jorgenson, president of Northwest Arkansas Community College, was keynote speaker. "I'm happy to be here and honor Melba Shewmaker, whose contributions have meant so much to our campus," Jorgenson said.
Channing Barker, morning news anchor for the FOX Morning Edge, emceed the event and said the cause of supporting single parent homes spoke to her heart. She was raised in one, too.
"We're here to give single parents that support system," she said. "They're strong women who have a desire to be the best that they can be."
While introducing someone to the Northwest Arkansas region recently, Barker was struck by the impact that Shewmaker and others have had on the area.
"If you're not from here and we explain how great our area is, you might think 'What's the big deal?'" she said. "But it's people like Melba who strive to make Northwest Arkansas better and a great place to live."
Proceeds of Camo and Couture will go toward Havenwood efforts to help single parents find transitional housing, earn job interviews, enter and complete college programs with the goal of creating a better lifestyle for their families.
"The greatest gift we can give to Havenwood residents is self sufficiency," said Ricky Tompkins, vice president for learning at Northwest Arkansas Community College.
Havenwood is a residential facility where families can stay while transitioning out of an unsafe home situation. The building was converted from a church sanctuary and opened to the public in 1993. Residents stay an average of nine months and receive therapy, take classes on proper nutrition and good parenting, while working with a case manager to meet their goals.
NAN Profiles on 03/01/2015