Dinner for 10 with governor an auction hit

Bids for Hutchinson meal pass diamonds, luxury cars

Dinner with Gov. Asa Hutchinson was worth more to donors at a recent charity event than a one-year lease on a luxury SUV or a 3-carat diamond necklace.

The dinner for 10 with the governor and first lady -- accompanied by a tour and cocktail reception -- went for $13,000 at the 20th Century Club's Hope Ball in March.

It was the top item.

Worth $15,000 each, the vehicle lease went for $8,500, and the necklace fetched $9,250.

The dinner "was actually valued at 'priceless' because you can't go buy that. You can go lease an Infiniti. You can buy that diamond necklace," said Elizabeth Clogston, executive director of the 20th Century Club. "This is not something that you can go purchase in the marketplace."

The club's lodge provides free rooms and food for needy cancer patients receiving treatment in central Arkansas.

Clogston said she appreciated the governor's support.

"We've never had anything like this before," she said. "It is always nice to have something that unique."

In September, the same dinner package fetched $10,000 to benefit the Children's Advocacy Centers of Arkansas, which help children and their families deal with the aftermath of child abuse.

The package was sold at a gathering at the Governor's Mansion to honor first lady Susan Hutchinson for her work with the centers.

Percy Malone, a businessman from Arkadelphia and a former Democratic state senator, bought the dinner. He said he is looking forward to talking to the governor and first lady over a meal.

"These kids -- they're not Republicans. They're not Democrats. They're not communists. They're God's creation. We're going to talk about how we can help, because it's a huge problem," Malone said. "I really appreciate so much what the first lady, Susan Hutchinson, is doing. For her to have the event at the Governor's Mansion -- it raises awareness."

In 2010, Malone, then a senator, was the recipient of the first Child Advocacy Centers of Arkansas Percy Malone Child Protection Award. Among other initiatives, Malone worked to secure funding for the centers and provide training to investigators who work with abused and neglected children.

Hutchinson said the dinners aren't something he offers to just anyone.

"The unique occasion -- there's been two occasions -- when we've auctioned off dinner with the governor ... there were special circumstances," he said.

Namely, his wife spent several years on the board of the Children's Advocacy Center of Benton County, and his daughter is a member of the 20th Century Club.

He noted that taxpayers aren't on the hook for any cost -- just like when charities use the great hall or other parts of the mansion.

The charity must pay expenses associated with the dinner.

That's about $1,000 to $1,500, Clogston said. A private donor will cover those costs, she said.

The dinners represent a change from former Gov. Mike Beebe's administration, which allowed the charities to use the mansion but did not allow private dinners to be auctioned off to benefit nonprofits.

"I never auctioned me off," Beebe said. He noted that he didn't know if there was anything wrong with the practice.

Hutchinson said the dinners were rare exceptions to support his wife and daughter. Other charities have approached and he's declined.

"I can't have every charity auctioning off dinner," he said. "I'd just be too busy."

So far, the two successful bidders haven't stepped forward to claim the meals, Hutchinson said.

"I think the priority was giving money to charity rather than having dinner with me," he said.

Metro on 10/05/2015

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