Restore Humanity backers gathered April 17 for the nonprofit organization's annual wine dinner. The fundraiser yielded more than $41,000 to help support Restore Humanity's mission.
The organization that started the James Christopher Opot Children's Center and supports other projects in western Kenya is marking its 10th year. Founder Sarah Fennel Buchanon said the children's center is home to 19 children, and one of the outreach programs is helping an additional 44 children attend school. Restore Humanity also helped a village medical clinic complete a new maternity ward last year that has seen 96 babies born since opening.
At a Glance
Wine dinner
Who: Restore Humanity
What: The annual wine dinner yielded more than $41,000 for the group that started a children’s home and supports other projects in Kenya.
When: April 17
Where: Bordinos Restaurant and Wine Bar
Next: Winetopia, Oct. 21
Information: restorehumanity.org
Charity ball
Who: Sheep Dog Impact Assistance
What: The group lauded military and first reponders, “sheep dogs,” at its fourth annual charity ball.
When: April 22
Where: John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers
Information: sheepdogia.org
Those helping Restore Humanity included Allyson and William Mertins, Leslie and Scott Bailey, Ann Rosso and Tim McFarland, Hannah and Greg Lee, Robyn and Tommy Van Zandt, Cyndy and Ken Hatfield, Jane and Dave Gearhart, Jennifer and John Lewis, Michelle Fyfe, Jean Ann and Joe Fennel, Mary and Cole Fennel, Miriam and Randy Smith, Pam and David Parks, Cindy and Cary Arsaga and Pattie and David Williams.
Sheep Dog Impact Assistance welcomed nearly 400 supporters for the fourth annual charity ball April 22 at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers. Marine Corps Cpl. Sebastian Gallegos, who was wounded by an improvised explosive device in 2010 in Sangin, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, was the evening's guest speaker.
The $35,000 raised from the benefit will support disaster relief efforts and the group's Yosemite Adventure for 35 combat-wounded veterans.
Founded after Hurricane Katrina by Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Lance Nutt in Rogers, the group aims to serve as an outlet for service by military and first responders -- "sheep dogs" -- and is modeled after a Marine Corps Quick Reaction Force.
Nutt told me that in 2005 he saw the "need for veterans and first responders to have additional opportunities for service to their communities and camaraderie with like-minded individuals."
As the group has expanded and evolved, "we learned that we wanted to respond to disasters because of our need for camaraderie and adventure, we needed to stay active and in doing so we stay alive!"
Nutt said their outdoor adventures, such as the one at Yosemite National Park on Memorial Day weekend, keep combat wounded vets and first responders injured in the line of duty "purpose driven, motivated and alive. That is how you prevent suicide.
"Developing our Outdoor Adventures program has given our members and fellow sheep dogs in need an opportunity to get up off the couch, reject complacency and negativity. They are learning to live again in the face of adversity."
The group presents awards each year at the dinner to "to the best of our nation's military and first responders, as well as local supporters."
The honors went to:
Hannah Ricker -- Volunteer of the Year;
Lacey Williams -- EMT Sheep Dog of the Year;
Texarkana Police Department Cpl. Les Munn -- Law Enforcement Sheep Dog of the Year;
Fayetteville Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief (retired) Kyle Curry; and
Marine Corps Ssgt. Jose Luis Sanchez -- Military Sheep Dog of the Year.
Those championing sheep dogs included Cindy and Barry Moehring, Sheila and Jim Wilmeth, Victoria and Andy Bossler, Donna and Keith Schaltz and Nicole Roundy and Matthew Melancon.
For more event photos -- nwadg.com/photos/society.
Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected].
NAN Profiles on 05/01/2016