Ray Dillon, the recently retired chief executive officer of Deltic Timber Corp., was honored at the 2016 Arkansas Children's Award Dinner on Oct. 12 at the Little Rock Marriott. The event was a benefit for Arkansas Sheriff's Youth Ranches, which provides stable homes for at-risk boys and girls.
Dillon, who had been with the corporation since 2003, was given the Arkansas Children's Award for his philanthropic work and for investing in Arkansas youth by supporting nonprofits such as Youth Ranches.
Event chairman Greg Hatcher introduced master of ceremonies Mike Beebe, noting that the former governor has served as master of ceremonies at every Children's Award dinner except one, where Beebe was the honoree. This year marked the dinner's 21st.
Craig O'Neill led a live auction, which raised $13,350 and included a duck hunt, a watercolor painting by Richard Stephens, a cocktail party at Matthews Fine Art Gallery and an Arkansas flag painting by Pat Matthews.
The program included a story from a current ranch resident, and remarks from Gene Fortson, Rex Horne Jr. and Will Rockefeller. Dennis Farmer, president of the Arkansas Sheriff's Youth Ranches board of trustees, presented the award to Dillon.
The dinner, with about 500 guests in attendance, raised more than $210,000 for programs at The Ranches.
High Profile on 10/23/2016