The Arkansas Children's Hospital Auxiliary handed over $1 million to the hospital's CEO, Marcella Doderer, at its annual business luncheon May 21 at the home of Sharon Bale.
Extortion? No, no. Doderer simply received the check on behalf of the hospital. In fact, this is the fourth year the auxiliary has been able to make a donation of that amount.
Actually, more than $1 million was raised in the last year. Miracle Ball and the PlayAway Gift Shop both raised record amounts, said outgoing auxiliary president Ginger Blackmon. The auxiliary donated an additional $125,000 to the hospital, to be used in a variety of areas including funding a neurology fellowship.
During the program Sue Frank was named Volunteer of the Year; she logged more than 280 hours in 2013.
Blackmon was given the Angel Award.
New officers were also installed. Bale will serve as auxiliary president.
Noting how hardworking the auxiliary volunteers are, Bale said the women are not a tea party crowd. "These women will roll up their sleeves."
-- Story and photos by Cary Jenkins