AT OUR BEST

Groups hit links, courts for fundraisers

Jones Center programs growing

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Sara Hungate (from left), Tina Hodne, Kelli Gemmell, Linda Hankins and Kelly Sampson help out at the Jones Center Golf Event.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Sara Hungate (from left), Tina Hodne, Kelli Gemmell, Linda Hankins and Kelly Sampson help out at the Jones Center Golf Event.

Courtney and Matt Kistler opened their Pinnacle Hills Country Club home in Rogers for a VIP reception Sept. 24 to kick off the 2015 Northwest Arkansas Charity Challenge.

The annual fundraiser benefiting the Arkansas Crisis Center on Sept. 24-28 offered a chance for amateur tennis players to play with and against tennis pros, as well as a golf tournament on Sept. 28.

At a Glance

VIP reception

Who: Charity Challenge of Champions

What: Courtney and Matt Kistler opened their Pinnacle Hills Home for a VIP reception to kick off the annual fundraiser benefitting the Arkansas Crisis Center.

When: Sept. 24

Where: Kistler home in Rogers

Information: arcrisis.org

Golf Event

Who: The Jones Center

What: The ninth annual golf outing yielded more than $155,000 for the nonprofit organization.

When: Monday

Where: Springdale Country Club

Next: Big Night: A Night in San Francisco — Bridging Northwest Arkansas, Nov. 14

Information: (479) 750-8090 or thejonescenter.net

The tennis tournament consisted of 10 teams of 10 with a tennis pro as each team's captain. Tennis pros providing expertise for the charity event were Rennae Stubbs, Mark Knowles, Ann Grossman, MaliVai Washington, Luke Jensen, Bryce Cunningham, Jimmy Arias, Ross Case, Cal Loveridge and John Lloyd.

The Arkansas Crisis Center offers a round-the-clock hot line and online crisis chat for people dealing with any number of crises, and a Survivors of Suicide support group. The organization also works to raise awareness about suicide prevention in our state.

The center relies on carefully selected volunteers who receive some 70 hours of training that covers topics such active listening skills, suicide intervention and crisis resolution.

Guests kicking off the multi-day event with the Kistlers included Holly and Jim Breach, Britain White, Rachel and Mark Malo, Patti McGill, Greg Batie, Kim Redfield and Brandon Simmons.

The Jones Center had a full slate of golfers for its annual Golf Event on Monday at Springdale Country Club. The ninth annual event raised more than $155,000 for the nonprofit organization's youth programming, sports leagues and camps.

Michael Moore, Walmart executive vice president, provided keynote remarks at the luncheon held between flights. He noted that it is "so important to have a community center like the Jones Center and all it does for us ... they are fulfilling Bernice's mission of giving back to the community." He also recounted memories his grandfather shared with him about time spent driving a truck for Jones Truck Line and Harvey Jones.

Now in its 20th year of operation, the center continues to grow, adding programs and reaching more members of the community. The more than 30 classes, sports leagues and sports camp options include a master's swim program, classes for ballet, creative movement and circuit training. Other available class and activity options include public and private swim lessons, ice skating lessons and free skate, recreational hockey, lap pool, a newly renovated splash pool, speed and agility camp, basketball camps, Akido, Tae Kwon Do and Zumba. Silver Sneakers is tailored for older adults to encourage physical activity and offers social events.

Next up for the center will be a celebration of the 20th anniversary with the annual Big Night fundraiser, which this year will be "A Night in San Francisco -- Bridging Northwest Arkansas" on Nov. 14 at the center in Springdale. The evening will include a "Union Square" shopping district featuring local boutiques, dinner, cocktails, a performance from the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas and chocolates in "Ghirardelli Square."

Among those taking swings to support the Jones Center included Scott Huff and Adam Dill, tournament co-chairmen, John George, Russel Tooley, Jim Widmer, Steve Chapman, Matt Brown, Scotty Thurman, Mary Zettle, Ron Brophy, Joy Drummonds, Linda Hankins, Tina Hodne and Sara Hungate.

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

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

NAN Profiles on 10/04/2015

Upcoming Events