Kiss a Pig Gala "Boarway" candidates convened for a kickoff party Jan. 13 to start their capital campaigns to raise money to benefit the American Diabetes Association. The candidate who raises the most for the nonprofit organization in the large or small business category will have the honor of puckering up to a porker at the annual fundraiser at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers. The pig is used by the organization in a nod to the first source of insulin for those with diabetes.
In the time leading up to the March 11 gala, contenders will use direct fundraising, silent auctions at the event, gala ticket sales and other creative means they devise to help the nonprofit organization meets its gala goal of raising $1 million. Proceeds will go toward diabetes research, advocacy and educational programs for Northwest Arkansas.
At a Glance
Kiss a Pig kickoff
Who: American Diabetes Association — Northwest Arkansas
What: Area community and business leaders will compete in the coming weeks to raise the most money for the nonprofit organization.
When: Jan. 17
Where: McLarty Daniels dealership in Bentonville
Next: Kiss a Pig — “Boarway,” March 11
Information: diabetes.org/nwakis…
Retirment and welcome receptoin
Who: Credit Counseling of Arkansas
What: The nonprofit organization lauded and welcomed leaders.
When: Jan. 19
Where: The Jones Center in Springdale
Information: (479) 521-8877 or ccoacares.org
Reveal reception
Who: Arkansas Public Theatre
What: The group revealed planned productions for the 2017-18 season.
When: Jan. 19
Where: The theater in Rogers
Next: Young Frankenstein, Feb. 10-12, 16-19, 23-26
Information: (479) 631-8988 or arkansaspublictheat…
Honorary chairman is George Riedl and candidates in the running to Kiss a Pig are:
Small business:
•Jodie Franklin;
•Julie Joyce;
•Kezie Odonkwe; and
•Roger Thomas;
Large business:
•Andy Rojeski;
•Brittany Bray;
•Bryan Boudreaux;
•Stephanie Sullivan;
•Todd Hanus; and
•Tracy Brown.
Entertainment at the formal affair will feature American Authors, whose songs include such hits as "Best Day of My Life" and "Go Big or Go Home."
Credit Counseling of Arkansas lauded and said farewell to Mike Robards, as he retires as the organization's executive director of nearly 20 years. Guests at the Jan. 19 reception at The Jones Center in Springdale also welcomed Alden Napier as the group's new leader.
Those on hand to say "goodbye" and "hello" included Susan Keating, president and CEO of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling; Ann Estes, NCFF vice president; Tom Jenson, Donny Story, Karen Gray, Bootsie Ackerman, Blair Johanson, Susan Koehler and Holly Sparks Hill.
Arkansas Public Theatre announced productions to be staged at the Victory Theater in Rogers for the 2017-18 season, its 32nd, with a reveal reception Jan. 19 at the theater.
The season will kick off July 31 with "The Rocky Horror Show." The other seven planned productions include "Every Day a Visitor," "A Christmas Story" and "The Producers."
Among those joining the theater group for the reveal were Kathy and Ed McClure, Brenda Nemec, Ron Hayes, Kevin Lancaster, Joseph Farmer, Caity Church, Randall Lothes, Jordan Payne and Yvonne Scorse and Voja Radosavljevic.
For more event photos -- nwadg.com/photos/society.
Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected].
NAN Profiles on 01/29/2017