An old saying warns us not to put all our eggs in one basket. But for more than two decades, Little Rock-based Youth Home has done an admirable job of gathering all its eggs at one spectacular event. Eggshibition 2014 did not disappoint.
About 700 guests turned out April 4 at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Jack Stephens Center to vie - thanks to BidPal, the smartphone application for silent auctions - for ownership of 81 artist-decorated eggs and works of art, 66 gift baskets, and eight live-auction items. The evening also offered various libations as well as hors d’oeuvres by Forever Yours Catering and entertainment by Rodney Block and the Real Music Lovers.
Hosting were veteran David Bazzel of KABZ-FM, “The Buzz” 103.7, and newcomer Chris Kane of KATV-TV, Channel 7. The program included a live auction, during which a dinner for 10 with chef Donnie Ferneau received the highest bid. Also featured was a film highlighting Youth Home, after which organizers made “the Live Appeal” for onsite donations. The drive garnered $6,577, exceeding the organization’s goal of $5,000.
Among the most egg-citing highlights was the presentation of the prize-winning egg artists. These were Jon Hatton for his egg, Punked ($500); Elizabeth Weber for Of Feather and Flint ($300); and Jon Hatton’s mother, Mignon Hatton, for Weapons of Mass Creation ($200). Out of Her Shell by Lynn Sudderth captured the highest bid of all the auctioned eggs - $625. (Last year, Sudderth’s It’s a Shellabration sold for $600, second only to an egg by rocker Dave Matthews.) And a Golden Egg raffle was won by Jandie Estes, who chose St. Nic by Doug Norton.
All in all, Eggshibition netted more than $100,000 for Youth Home, which helps emotionally troubled adolescents and their families.
High Profile, Pages 44 on 04/13/2014