Reba McEntire helped the Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter draw a sold-out crowd of more than 1,300 fans and shelter supporters for the annual Starlight Gala on March 7 at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers. The mega-star's special performance at the fundraiser was sponsored by General Mills and helped the shelter net some $480,000.
The shelter is a private nonprofit organization offering 24-hour residential care for children and teens who are victims of abuse or neglect. Founded in 1993 with five girls as residents, the 48-bed shelter serves some 500 children annually. Residents may stay up to 45 days in a six-month period until returning to their families or being placed in foster care.
At a Glance
Starlight Gala
Who: Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter
What: Reba McEntire helped the fundraiser draw a crowd of more than 1,300 and net some $480,000 for the emergency residential shelter.
When: March 7
Where: John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers
Next: Golf Classic, Aug. 10
Information: (479) 795-2417 or nwacs.org
Northwest Arkansas Power of the Purse Luncheon
Who: Women’s Foundation of Arkansas
What: The benefit luncheon featured Susan McPherson as keynote speaker and the presentation of the Woman Business Leader of the Year honor to Joan Johnson.
When: March 9
Where: John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers
Information: (501) 244-9740 or womensfoundationark…
Highlights of the evening included hearing from Ashlyn Allison, 19, who stayed at the emergency residential shelter as a 15-year-old with her three younger siblings. Before their stay at the shelter, Ashlyn was the de facto caregiver for her siblings as addictions, trouble with the law and a turbulent relationship were the norm for her mother and stepfather.
Ashlyn said that being at the shelter allowed her to "relax and just be a kid ... It was the first time that I didn't have to be on guard. My brothers and sister were taken care of ... We didn't have to worry that our lives were going to be flipped upside down."
She credits her time at the shelter for her ability to focus on her education, graduate with honors from Bentonville High School and earn a place on the dean's list at Northwest Arkansas Community College, where she is studying with plans of becoming a neonatal nurse practitioner.
A special appeal, 500 Days of Hope, led by Dick Trammel, yielded $91,000, for 910 Days of Hope to defray costs of Children's Shelter programs.
Those out for Starlight and a mega-star in support of the shelter included Luisa and Chris Lamson, Susie and Adam Dill, MaryBeth and Arist Mastorides, Lori and Steve Collins, Alisha and Van Bakke, Lisa and Steve Bratspies and Mary and Darryl Zettle.
A crowd of some 230 gathered with Women's Foundation of Arkansas to demonstrate the Power of the Purse, the group's third annual Northwest Arkansas event, March 9 at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers.
The benefit luncheon brought in nearly $30,000 to support the nonprofit organization's three focus areas: grants to organizations and programs that assist women and girls in reaching their full potential; policy research; and Girls of Promise.
The group named Joan Johnson, president of White River Hardwood-Woodworks Inc., the 2015 Women's Foundation of Arkansas Business Woman of the Year. She said she supports the foundation's work to bring up girls as leaders and shared some of her insights as a leader, stressing the importance of integrity and communication.
Susan McPherson, founder and chief executive officer of McPherson Strategies, provided the keynote address, focusing on ways technology innovations have shaped philanthropy today. She pointed to "hashtag activism, crowd funding, text-to-donate and movement building," such as Giving Tuesday, as newer philanthropic options.
Those helping purses pack a punch included Tammy Thurow, Cindy Conger, Lynnette Watts, Daymara Baker, Michelle Harvey, Azu Denton, Sarah Daigle, Virginia Germann, Tonya Jackson, Denise Garner, Carol Reeves, Ann O'Leary-Kelly, Natalie Olsen, Shirley Esch, Janet Hendren, Dina Wood, Mike Malone and Bootsie Ackerman.
For more event photos -- nwadg.com/photos/society
Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected].
NAN Profiles on 03/22/2015