Before former president Bill Clinton received a Seventh Generation Award for his commitment to public service June 4 at the annual Red Jacket Ball, guests gathered at the Statehouse Convention Center for a pre-dinner cocktail reception and silent auction.
The evening was a celebration of the 10 years City Year participants have served in Little Rock schools. The evening included a welcome by Sarah Roberson, executive director of City Year Little Rock. Other speakers were City Year Inc. Chief Executive Officer Michael Brown; Americorps alumni Rae-Marie Busby; and event chairman Mica Strother.
After a tribute, Clinton accepted the award and noted the importance of service organizations. "The world works better when there's cooperation where people share the responsibilities and share the opportunities."
"Every place in the world," he said, "[where] people are working together across lines that divide us and are cooperating, good things are happening. Everywhere in the world, [where] people are following a model that it's my way or the highway and if you don't agree with me I will kill you or at least exile you, bad things are happening."
After dinner and an auction, City Year Little Rock board co-chairmen Stephanie Streett and Bruce Moore spoke about the legacy of City Year.
About 700 guests attended the ball, which raised $293,000, Roberson said.
City Year is an education-focused, nonprofit organization that partners with public schools and teachers to help keep students in school and on track to succeed. Money raised will continue to support City Year members as they serve as tutors, mentors and role models.
High Profile on 06/14/2015