Life Styles Inc. friends and clients gathered Dec. 12 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Fayetteville for the nonprofit organization's annual holiday party. The evening featured dinner and live music from Jeff Fox and Justin Jones.
Founded in 1976, Life Styles set out to help people with disabilities live independently in their communities rather than being institutionalized. The nonprofit began with the ability to help 10 clients.
At a Glance
Christmas party
Who: Life Styles Inc.
What: Friends and clients gathered for the nonprofit organization’s annual holiday party.
When: Dec. 12
Where: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville
Next: Celebration of Possibilities luncheon, March 8
Information: (479) 521-3581 or lifestylesinc.org
Retirement reception
Who: Circle of Life Hospice
What: Circle of Life supporters lauded Mary McKinney at a reception in her honor to mark her retirement as chief executive officer of the nonprofit organization.
When: Dec. 13
Where: Circle of Life Hospiece in Springdale
Information: (479) 872-3377 or nwacircleoflife.com
Grand opening celebration
Who: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkhoma
What: The Ronald McDonald House at Washington Regional welcomed guests to celebrate its opening.
When: Dec. 15
Where: Washington Regional in Fayetteville
Information: (479) 756-5600 or rmhcarkhoma.org
The organization now offers a range of services through programs that include supported living, supported employment and an educational program, the College for Living. There are also extensive visual and performing arts opportunities for clients.
Those marking the holidays with Life Styles included Carol and Bill Hart, Karen McDonald, Terrye Brosh, Ellen Bruce, Amanda Gilmer, Corey Bowles, Neil Royston, Gaye Wilcox, Stephanie Lovell, Julie Preddy and Lauren Preddy.
Circle of Life supporters lauded Mary McKinney at a reception in her honor on Dec. 13 to mark her retirement as chief executive officer of the nonprofit organization. Under McKinney's leadership since 2008, the group established the foundation in 2011, opened Legacy Village in Bentonville in 2103 and led a $15 million capital campaign, which has raised 94 percent of its goal and is expected to be completed this year. McKinney will transition from her role as CEO to serve as an adviser to the foundation.
The group recently appointed Catherine Grubbs to succeed McKinney. Grubbs has been with Circle of Life for seven years and formerly served as chief operating officer and director of administration.
Those lauding McKinney included Jeretta and Horace Hardwick, Betsy Phillips, Adrian Luttrell, Shirley Esch, Patrick Woodruff, Fadil Bayyari, Sarah Kendall, Kathy Jaycox, Bootsie Ackerman and David Van Bebber.
The Ronald McDonald House at Washington Regional in Fayetteville welcomed guests for a grand opening celebration on Dec. 15.
The 5,600-square-foot area occupies the top floor of the hospital's Women and Infants Center tower and is a place of respite so families with critically ill children may stay close to them while they are hospitalized. The organization expects to serve 1,500 families in its first year. Since opening its doors Dec. 21, the group has been at 85 to 100 percent capacity every night and welcomed 20 people for Christmas dinner, said Stephanie Medford, president and CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkhoma.
Among those celebrating the opening with the organization were Greg Lancelot, Bill Mathews, Eric Pianalto, Hannah and Greg Lee, Bill Bradley, Jim Crouch, Sam Hollis, Woody Bassett, Tiffany and Jimmy Dykes and Tim Helder.
For more event photos -- nwadg.com/photos/society.
Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected].
NAN Profiles on 01/08/2017