The nearly 300 attendees of Hawgs for a Cause -- the Oct. 1 benefit for Arkansas Enterprises for the Developmentally Disabled -- cannot be accused of being fair-weather Arkansas Razorbacks fans. (Or perhaps they somehow knew the Hogs would win big that Saturday against the University of Tennessee Volunteers.)
Arkansas Enterprises' Lacy Landers Skills Training Center was chock-full of enthusiastic fans in Razorbacks-embellished attire, some of it quite blinged out. There were few things the eye could see that didn't have anything to do with the Hogs ... the decorations; the numerous Razorbacks-theme silent auction items; and Big Frank, the Razorback-shaped grill trucked in by Buddy and Dena Rhoads and their Woo Pig Q-ee barbecue team to feed the folks.
Prior to the main event -- which was hosted by the agency's auxiliary -- sponsor reception attendees enjoyed Hogtinis, other libations and morsels from RX Catering. Later, everyone partook of the barbecue dinner and pecan pie, while listening to a band. A raffle for cash prizes, along with a wine pull, were also part of the package.
KTHV-TV, Channel 11's Craig O'Neill was back to do his Brother Hogg act, leading everyone in the Razorbacks cheer, and hawking auction items. The "Hawg Highlight" of the evening came when Georganna Huddleston, chief executive officer of Arkansas Enterprises, presented the 2015 "Champion for a Cause" Award to officials of Heart of Arkansas United Way for its support of the agency.
Arkansas Enterprises provides work opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities, as well as preschool for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years with developmental disabilities or delays. The event raised an estimated $35,000-plus, according to Debbie Grooms of the agency.
-- Story and photos by Helaine R. Williams
High Profile on 10/11/2015