Mercy Health Foundation Northwest Arkansas welcomed a record sold-out crowd of 1,500 guests Dec. 3 for the O Night Divine Charity Ball, the unofficial kickoff of the Christmas season for many in Northwest Arkansas. The 23rd annual benefit at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers helped raise more than $1 million for the expanding health care system.
The evening began with a VIP reception to honor community leaders for their service and support of the foundation. This year's honorees were:
At a Glance
O Night Divine Charity Ball
Who: Mercy Health Foundation Northwest Arkansas
What: The 23rd annual event helped raise more than $1 million to help support Mercy Health Northwest Arkansas.
When: Dec. 3
Where: John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers
Information: (479) 338-2900 or mercy.net
Reception
Who: Brandon Burlsworth Foundation
What: The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation welcomed friends and 2016 Burlsworth Trophy finalists for a reception. The following day the foundation announced the seventh winner of the trophy for the nation’s most outstanding football player who started his career as a walk-on.
When: Dec. 4
Where: Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville
Next: “Greater” DVD release, Tuesday
Information: (870) 741-1443 or brandonburlsworthfo…
Event
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•Pete and Shirley Esch -- Family of the Year;
•Greg Blair -- Volunteer of the Year; and
•Vista Productions -- Organization of the Year.
The evening also included dinner, a live auction, a special performance by Dan + Shay and the Dickie Ray Club pledge drive. Led by Dick Trammel, the drive exceeded this year's $80,000 goal, yielding nearly $150,000 that will help provide fetal monitors and Omni/Giraffe infant warmers in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Among those making merry with Mercy were Dawn and Eric Pianalto, Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas president; Susan and Dr. Steve Goss, Mercy Clinics Northwest Arkansas president; Karen Roberts; Diane and Wayne Callahan; Nancy and Dick Trammel; Leslie and Ramon Zanoff; Melba Shewmaker; Dayle and Daniel Shewmaker; Cathy and Sen. John Boozman; Elda and Eric Scott; Kent Whillock; Mary Beth and Tony Sherman; Sara and Mark Moses; Vicki Vasser-Jenkins; Linda and David Thrasher; Marj and Pete Metzger; and Martha and Paul Bergant.
The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation welcomed friends and 2016 Burlsworth Trophy finalists for a reception Dec. 4 at the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville.
The following day the foundation announced the seventh winner of the trophy for the nation's most outstanding football player who started his career as a walk-on.
Baker Mayfield, University of Oklahoma senior quarterback, took this year's trophy for the second year in a row, the first recipient to do so.
Other finalists were Austin Carr, senior receiver from Northwestern University, and Luke Falk, junior quarterback from Washington State University.
The foundation and trophy are in memory of the late Brandon Burlsworth, who went from walk-on offensive lineman for the Razorbacks to All-American then to being selected as a third-round draft pick by the Indianapolis Colts. "Greater," a movie about Burlsworth's life, will be released on DVD on Tuesday.
Those joining the foundation for the pre-presentation reception included Vickie and Marty Burlsworth; Courtney Palfreeman; Mike Harris; Kyle Kelley; John Engelman; Ceri and Rolf Wilkin; Brian Reindl; Tommy Tice; and Bob Arthur.
For more event photos -- nwadg.com/photos/society.
Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected].
NAN Profiles on 12/18/2016