Tommy's Nite Out IV on Oct. 10 took flight at the Arkansas Air Museum at Drake Field in Fayetteville. An estimated 600 guests helped the Friends of Tommy V exceed the fundraising goal of $250,000 for the Van Zandt Family Trust. Proceeds will help cover the cost of a year of caregivers, prescriptions and medical equipment required for Tommy Van Zandt since he was paralyzed after a fall while cleaning up January 2009 ice storm damage in Northwest Arkansas.
The evening included a performance from Backroad Anthem and a live auction. On-site food trucks supplied by Feltner Brothers, Frickin Chicken and Ye Yo's Mexican Grill fed the crowd, and Arkansas Craft Distributors provided beer carts with craft beer on tap.
At a Glance
Tommy’s Nite Out IV
Who: Friends of Tommy V
What: The more than $250,000 raised will help cover the cost of a year of care for Tommy Van Zandt, founding partner of Sage Partners.
When: Oct. 11
Where: Arkansas Air Museum at Drake Field in Fayetteville
Information: friendsoftommyv.com
Dot.Comedy presented by MaxPoint
Who: The Jones Center, American Heart Association, Boys & Girls Club of Benton County
What: Three comedians vied to be the funniest to win money for their chosen charity.
When: Oct. 16
Where: 21c Museum Hotel in Bentonville
Information: thejonescenter.net, heart.org, bgcbentoncounty.org
A Night at the Speakeasy
Who: Junior Auxiliary of Rogers-Bentonville
What: The third annual event brought in some $15,000 for the volunteer organization’s community projects.
When: Oct. 17
Where: Bentonville
Information: jarb.org
Those joining Tommy for the Nite Out included Gina and Neal Pendergraft, Mary Beth and Tony Sherman, Tim McFarland, Kelly Sweetster, Stacy and James Keenan, Gina Keller, Ann Rosso and Erin and T. J. Leflar.
Funny people added up to some serious cash for three Northwest Arkansas nonprofit organizations on Oct 16. Dot.Comedy presented by MaxPoint pitted three comedians against each other to be the funniest and win money for their chosen charity.
Eric Schwartz took the top prize of $15,000 for The Jones Center and Rachel Feinstein and Dwayne Perkins won $10,000 each for the American Heart Association and the Boys & Girls Club of Benton County, respectively.
Those chuckling to champion their charities at 21c Museum Hotel in Bentonville included Betsy and Loyd Phillips, Joan and Ed Clifford, Suzy and Chuck Fehlig, Beth and Trigg Brown, Marie Fairchild, Jeanne Cashman, Jacob Hutson, Christina Hinds and Kelly Kemp and Ben McLintock.
Members of the Junior Auxiliary of Rogers-Bentonville kicked up their heels in true flapper fashion -- with a surprise group performance of the Charleston -- for the more than 225 guests who joined them Oct. 17 for the third annual A Night at the Speakeasy.
The Prohibition-era-themed party helped the volunteer organization raise some $15,000 for its service projects. The group's largest project is Reading is Fundamental for which the nonprofit organization selects, purchases and distributes books to second-grade students in Benton County three times each year.
Among those kicking up their heels for community service were Sarah and Jason Oglesby, Rebecca and Matt Kendall, Alivia and Nick Jolly, Susan and Stu Todd and Lori and Steve Collins.
Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at cschoppmeyer@nwaonline.com.
NAN Profiles on 10/26/2014