Big Night gets bigger

Pagnozzi patrons pitch in

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Jeannie Gilmore (from left), Charlotte Steele, Paula Irwin, Linda Wray, Sherrie Hanks and Joyce Jones help support the Jones Center at Big Night on the Las Vegas Strip gala Nov. 3 at the center in Springdale.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Jeannie Gilmore (from left), Charlotte Steele, Paula Irwin, Linda Wray, Sherrie Hanks and Joyce Jones help support the Jones Center at Big Night on the Las Vegas Strip gala Nov. 3 at the center in Springdale.

Pagnozzi Charities patrons pitched in to raise some $60,000 by way of the 27th annual golf tournament and Ultimate Tailgate and Auction on Nov. 2 at Stonebridge Meadows Golf Club in Fayetteville.

The group presented its Pagnozzi Make a Difference Award to Cliff Harrison. The award "is given in memory of Jim Hawkins to a youth sports coach that has gone above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of the children they coach."

At a Glance

Ultimate Tailgate and Auction

Who: Pagnozzi Charities

What: Patrons pitched in to help the group support youth sports.

When: Nov. 2

Where: Stonebridge Meadows Golf Club in Fayetteville

Next: Princess for a Day, Jan. 26

Information: (479) 443-2550 or pagnozzicharities.o…

Big Night on the Las Vegas Strip

Who: Jones Center

What: The benefit brought in a record $350,000.

When: Nov. 3

Where: Jones Center in Springdale

Information: (479) 756-8090 or thejonescenter.net

The nonprofit organization was founded by Tom Pagnozzi, former St. Louis Cardinals and Arkansas Razorbacks catcher, in 1999 to "provide scholarships to youth from low income families throughout Northwest Arkansas, providing them with equal access to the same athletic experiences as their peers."

Scholarships help families pay for registration, uniforms and other fees associated with organized sports. The group provided financial aid and sports equipment to more than 1,000 athletes in 2017 and has helped 576 so far this year.

Next up will be the sixth annual Princess for a Day event Jan. 26.

Those championing youth sports opportunities included Caroline and Norm DeBriyn, Mary Bassett and Hank Broyles, Jamey and Mike Sims, Gary Head, Abby Maguire and Ryan Wilcoxson, Amber and Mike Partee, Kelli Harmon and Norm Wilcoxson, Stephanie and Michael Pulcino, Kristin and Scott Gardiner, Adam and Jennifer Deckinger, Stephanie and Michael Pulcanio and Michael Swofford.

Big Night on the Las Vegas Strip to benefit Jones Center brought in a record $350,000 for the nonprofit organization in Springdale.

The evening's paddle auction yielded $100,000 that will help the group renovate studio classrooms that house children's dance and gymnastics classes and purchase 25 new spin bikes for a new Spin Cycle Studio.

Those going big for the Jones Center included Holly and Jim Breach, Tina and Nate Hodne, Betsy and Loyd Phillips, Linda Wray, Lynn Donald Carver, Kelli and Steve Gemmell, Diane and Russell Tooley, Michelle and Jason Nichol, Cyndi and David Pierre, Mindy and Marc Sherwood, Patty and Joel White and Nicole and Corey Bender.

For more event photos -- nwadg.com/photos/society.

Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected].

NAN Profiles on 11/18/2018

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