LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE — Question: What’s an easy way to test your knowledge of the world?
Answer: The Little Rock Spouses’ Club Trivia Night for Education with an “Around the World” theme.
Carol Weld, treasurer for the club, said each table will represent a different country, and because most of the military families attending have lived in other countries, the trivia questions will also have a world theme. She said participants are encouraged to come in costume and decorate the tables torepresent various countries.
“One hundred percent of the money raised goes back into the Little Rock Spouses’ Club scholarship and educational fund for spouses and children of military [personnel],” said Weld, who has lived in Japan. “My tablemates and I will be wearing kimonos.”
Trivia Night for Education is one of the events the club hosts that is twofold: It is fun, and it raises money for the scholarship fund. And the event isn’t just for club members.
“Trivia Night is open to everyone, but at least one person at the table should have access to the base to sponsor everyone on base,” Weld said.
The event will be from 6-10 p.m. Friday at the Thomas Community Activities Center at Little Rock Air Force Base. The cost is $20 per seat or $100 for a table. To reserve a seat or for more information on Trivia Night, call Diana King at (808) 351-1936.
The club that started out for the wives of officers at the Little Rock Air Force Base has a history that goes back to the 1960s. In early 2006, the nonprofit social and philanthropic club opened up to spouses of all enlisted, retired and Reserve military personnel, as well as civilians who work on the base. The club is now up to 85 members.
“The club is open to any military spouse from any branch of service, even those of retired military members,” club President Christine Daugherty said. “The only requirement is that the member must have a Department of Defense identification card.”
The social function of the club is to provide interaction and fellowship among military spouses, and from a philanthropic standpoint, the club raises funds for scholarships and charitable organizations, such as Fishnet Missions in Jacksonville, Arkansas Rice Depot and the American Red Cross.
The club also offers financial support to some surrounding schools.
“Cabot has a large population of military children,” Daugherty said.
Daugherty also said that some of the money raised through fundraisers and a thrift shop in the old BX building on base goes back to LRAFB families, but much of the money goes to local charities and schools.
“All the money we raise goes back for welfare givings and scholarships,” Daugherty said. “Last year, we gave $16,000 to the local community.”
Weld said that last yearthe club gave out more than $25,000, including $11,000 in scholarships.
Scholarship applications may be downloaded from littlerockspouses.com, and the applications must be postmarked by Saturday.
Anyone who would like to donate to the scholarship fund may send a check to the LRSC welfare treasurer, P.O. Box 1264, Jacksonville, AR 72078.
Staff writer Jeanni Brosius can be reached at (501) 244-4307 or jbrosius@arkansasonline.com.
Three Rivers, Pages 45 on 03/29/2012