Watch Oscars in black tie or PJs

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JOHN SYKES JR - HIGH PROFILE VOLUNTEER - Tammy Tebrugge, who, with the Wolfe Street Foundation, is hosting Lights Camera Action, Oscar Awards Gala.
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JOHN SYKES JR - HIGH PROFILE VOLUNTEER - Tammy Tebrugge, who, with the Wolfe Street Foundation, is hosting Lights Camera Action, Oscar Awards Gala.

Glittery gowns and black tie gliding down the red carpet, or maybe flannel pajamas and bunny slippers while the family wagon sits idle in the carport -- anything is appropriate attire at this year's annual Oscar watch party Lights, Camera, Action -- Little Rock for the Wolfe Street Foundation.

This year, foundation staff and volunteer organizers don't want stay-at-home patrons to miss out on anything surrounding its big annual fundraiser, especially the donation.

For those who want to support the city's largest alcohol and drug recovery center but don't want to venture out into the chilly night air, stay home and be virtual attendees, says Tammy Tebrugge, who is serving as a volunteer marketing director for the event.

Those attending the party in person at Chenal Country Club will be able to walk the red carpet, bid on silent and live auctions, enjoy a five-course gourmet dinner, watch the 87th annual Academy Awards show projected on large screens in the ballroom and participate in picking the winners contest for prizes.

So, then, why stay home?

"Some people don't want to get dressed up and go out, so we just thought [virtual attendance] would be a really fun way to have more people included, " Tebrugge says.

Throughout the evening, virtual patrons can make picks and check in via social media. "We are going to ask people to post on Facebook and we have Instagram and Twitter accounts." (The Facebook page is Lights, Camera, Action -- Little Rock and they can be found on Twitter and Instagram at @redcarpetLR.) The organization is offering a second set of winners and prizes for the at-home crowd.

Meanwhile, at Chenal, guests will enjoy a gourmet meal that includes sauteed crab cakes, Granny Smith apple sorbet, braised beef short ribs and a trio of desserts. Partygoers might even spot Jack Nicholson. OK, his look-alike. But for the purposes of the pageantry surrounding Lights Camera Action, Nicholson will be there, Tebrugge says.

Money raised at the 15th annual red carpet fundraiser goes toward the Wolfe Street Foundation which supports the Wolfe Street Center at 10th and Louisiana streets.

"The Wolfe Street Center is a meeting place for people who are suffering from alcoholism," Tebrugge says, "and the statistics are alarming about how many people are affected by alcoholism. It is not just the persons themselves who suffers, it is also their family, their friends, their co-workers."

Tebrugge says the numbers are one in 12 Americans abuses alcohol and many millions more engage in risky binge drinking patterns. Now, for every one of those people, she says, at least six other people are affected by that person's behavior.

"Because it is just such an epidemic," she explains, "this center offers meetings and a safe place for people who want to recover. The Wolfe Street Center offers 55 meetings a week -- that is incredible to me -- so that people can come and get the support they need."

Markey Ford, executive director of the center, says her organization serves more than 100,000 people a year. The center is open 365 days a year, 12 to 16 hours a day for groups faithful to the original 12-Step Program. It also provides education and prevention programs as well as activities to central Arkansas families in recovery.

This is Tebrugge's seventh time to help with the watch party. She is owner of PromoPro, a promotional products company, and before that worked in advertising, which help her in providing experience for raising awareness about the event.

"For me, it was just a natural fit. There are so many people affected by alcoholism, and what a fun way to raise money!"

Tebrugge and her husband, Brad, are movie fans and try to watch all the ones nominated for Best Picture before the Hollywood-style gala. "I love the movies. If you are a movie fan like I am, the event is so fun -- the chance to be at a red carpet gala just as if you were there."

Lights, Camera, Action -- Little Rock starts at 6 p.m. Feb. 22 at Chenal Country Club. Virtual attendee tickets are $50 and tickets to attend in person are $150. For more information or tickets, call (501) 372-5662 or buy tickets via PayPal at Wolfestreet.org.

High Profile on 02/08/2015

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