Carin Schoppmeyer: EOA still champions children

Fundraisers seektop philanthropists

NWA Democrat-Gazette/JOCELYN MURPHY Alison Levin (seated, from left), Eva Terry, Tyler Clark, Ashley Wardlow, Elizabeth Prenger (standing, from left), Cindy Long, Emily Rappe Fisher, Megan Cuddy, Jaclyn Keeter, Sarah Du Preez and Allison McElroy, AFP Northwest Arkansas board members, welcome guests to the National Philanthropy Day luncheon Nov. 14 at the Fayetteville Town Center.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/JOCELYN MURPHY Alison Levin (seated, from left), Eva Terry, Tyler Clark, Ashley Wardlow, Elizabeth Prenger (standing, from left), Cindy Long, Emily Rappe Fisher, Megan Cuddy, Jaclyn Keeter, Sarah Du Preez and Allison McElroy, AFP Northwest Arkansas board members, welcome guests to the National Philanthropy Day luncheon Nov. 14 at the Fayetteville Town Center.

Although the Economic Opportunity Agency's Children's House was forced to cancel its annual Summer Salsa benefit set for June 20, it continues helping the children and families that depend on its services.

Children's House is a "therapeutic, child-development and crisis-intervention center" for children 6 weeks old through 5 years old who are victims of physical, emotional and sexual abuse and life-threatening neglect and adverse childhood experiences."

Children receive occupational, physical and speech therapies, counseling and family therapy. Megan Cuddy, development director, said the facility "is one of the largest child abuse prevention and treatment centers in the United States and the only one of its kind in Arkansas."

Through the pandemic, EOA has continued to provide services to children by delivering at-home education packets and virtual learning. The staff has made sure that the families have formula, diapers, cleaning products, food and any other needed supplies. Technology has been provided for those who cannot access it. Therapy and counseling services have continued through telehealth methods.

Cuddy said the Summer Salsa benefit usually brings in some $100,000 each year, which directly supports services for abused and neglected children.

Donations to the nonprofit organization may be made at ChildrensHouseNWA.org.

The next Summer Salsa is set for June 19, 2021.

The Northwest Arkansas Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals is calling for nominations of philanthropists to be lauded at their National Philanthropy Day virtual luncheon slated for Nov. 18. Deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. June 30.

Organizations can nominate individuals, businesses and groups "who have made Northwest Arkansas a better place to live and work through their dedication to philanthropy. An anonymous panel of community members selects the honorees to be recognized."

Nominations are sought for the following awards:

• COVID-19 Hero;

• Outstanding Philanthropist;

• Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser;

• Outstanding Fundraising Executive;

• Outstanding Philanthropic Organization;

• The Ernie Lawrence Outstanding Professional Advisor;

• Outstanding Foundation;

• Outstanding Corporation;

• Legacy Award;

• Lifetime Achievement Award; and

• Youth in Philanthropy Award (group and/or individual).

Award criteria and links for nominations are available at community.afpglobal.org/afparnorthwestchapter.

Organizers note that not every award is given each year, and all are contingent upon eligible nominations.

More information is available by calling NPD co-chairwomen Elizabeth Prenger at (501) 804-6662 or Joy Morris at (479) 935-4888; or by emailing [email protected].

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

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

NWA Democrat-Gazette/JOCELYN MURPHY Karen Parker (from left), Nancy and Dick Trammel and Betsy Phillips visit at the  luncheon. Dick was presented the Lifetime Achievement award and Betsy the Judges Special Award.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/JOCELYN MURPHY Karen Parker (from left), Nancy and Dick Trammel and Betsy Phillips visit at the luncheon. Dick was presented the Lifetime Achievement award and Betsy the Judges Special Award.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/JOCELYN MURPHY Neal and Gina Pendergraft, Outstanding Philanthropist honorees, talk with Fred Hueston on National Philanthropy Day.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/JOCELYN MURPHY Neal and Gina Pendergraft, Outstanding Philanthropist honorees, talk with Fred Hueston on National Philanthropy Day.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Delia Anderson Farmer, Children's House executive director (from left), Julie Parker, Vickie and Mike Lanier and Megan Cuddy visit at Summer Salsa on June 15 at the Fayetteville Town Center.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Delia Anderson Farmer, Children's House executive director (from left), Julie Parker, Vickie and Mike Lanier and Megan Cuddy visit at Summer Salsa on June 15 at the Fayetteville Town Center.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Karie Watson (from left), Emily Fourney, Kelli Caudle and K.C. Tucker help out at Summer Salsa.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Karie Watson (from left), Emily Fourney, Kelli Caudle and K.C. Tucker help out at Summer Salsa.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Jessica and Ron Johnson enjoy Summer Salsa.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Jessica and Ron Johnson enjoy Summer Salsa.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Julie Parker, Faye Jones, Ashley Jones, Tina Brewer help support Children's House on June 15.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Julie Parker, Faye Jones, Ashley Jones, Tina Brewer help support Children's House on June 15.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Falon Lacey (from left), Christina Sutton, Brittany Adcock and Gracie Ziegler volunteer at Summer Salsa on June 18 at the Fayetteville Town Center.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Falon Lacey (from left), Christina Sutton, Brittany Adcock and Gracie Ziegler volunteer at Summer Salsa on June 18 at the Fayetteville Town Center.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Sean Jones and Judge Stacey Zimmerman help attend Summer Salsa.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Sean Jones and Judge Stacey Zimmerman help attend Summer Salsa.

More News

EOA Children’s House

What: The nonprofit organization adapted to continue teaching, supporting its students.

Information: (479) 927-1232 or ChildrensHouseNWA.o…

Northwest Arkansas Chapter of Fundraising Professionals

What: The chapter is calling for nominations of philanthropists to be lauded at their National Philanthropy Day virtual luncheon slated for Nov. 18.

When: Deadline for nominations is 5 p.m. June 30.

Where: community.afpnet.or…

Information: NPD Co-chairwomen Elizabeth Prenger, (501) 804-6662; or Joy Morris, (479) 935-4888 or [email protected]

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