Some 250 guests gathered for the Outside the Box Luncheon on April 8 at Avondale Gardens and Chapel in Bentonville. The approximately $35,000 brought in by the luncheon will help support Girls on the Run Northwest Arkansas programs for third- through eighth-graders.
The nonprofit organization works to "inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum that creatively integrates running."
At a Glance
Out of the Box Luncheon
Who: Girls on the Run Northwest Arkansas
What: Proceeds from the luncheon will help support the group’s programs for area third- through eighth-grade girls.
When: April 8
Where: Avondale Chapel and Gardens in Bentonville
Next: Spring 5K, May 13
Information: (479) 936-1540 or gotrnwa.org
Starlight Gala
Who: Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter
What: The annual fundraiser featured a performance from Jennifer Nettles and helped raise $470,000 for the shelter.
When: April 9
Where: John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers
Next: 2016 Golf Classic, Aug. 15
Information: (479) 795-2417 or nwacs.org
Benefit dinner
Who: WelcomeHealth
What: The nonprofit organization honored those who have helped them fulfill their mission.
When: April 16
Where:
Next: Mermaids Seafood Restaurant in Fayetteville
Information: (479) 444-7548 or welcomehealthnwa.org
Suzanne Clinard, executive director, says the program targets that specific age range so the girls can learn life skills early, while they're more receptive, to use as they go through junior high and high school, when peer pressure really kicks in. "Middle school is when you fall in the 'girl box' -- 'I'm supposed to act this way, I'm supposed to look this way, I'm supposed to think like this.' The program builds each year so that it's already ingrained that they are unique and special."
The Northwest Arkansas council of the national group served more than 1,500 area girls and has a goal of increasing that number to 1,900 in the coming year.
Claire Babineaux-Fontinot, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. executive vice president and treasurer, provided the luncheon's keynote address.
Those helping girls think out of the box included Beth and Tregg Brown, Stacy Bigelow, Cindy Morehring, Jennifer Wills, Martha Bell, Angie Orr, Sara Leonard, Alan Dranow, Jim Hutsinger, Gary Alecusan, Stephanie and Robert Oram, Katie Duncan, Martha Bell, Marlene Creighton, Jennifer Cozens, Sarah Woesch, Chris McConnell, Sara Leonard, Pauline Mohler and Kim Lauderdale.
Jennifer Nettles headlined the Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter Starlight Charity Gala on April 9 at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers. The country music singer helped the group net $470,000.
A special pledge drive yielded $43,000 to help support the center's new preschool program. The group started the program in 2015, which serves developmentally ready 3- to 5-year-olds, uses curriculum from the Department of Human Services and partners with the shelter's Children's Therapy Team for on-site speech and occupational therapy.
Children's shelter champions out to enjoy the Starlight included Mary Beth and Arist Mastorides, Lori and Steve Collins, Steve Bratspies, Renee and Jeff Hutton, Alisha and Van Bakke, Emily and John Reynolds, Leslie and Dustin Colebank, Wendy and Chris Sooter, Michelle and Mike Hudson, Mary and Darrell Zettle, Missy and Jeff Clifton, Wendy and Tim Cheatam and Dana and Greg Russell, executive director.
WelcomeHealth (formerly Northwest Arkansas Free Health Center) celebrated "those who have worked to carry out our services to those who need them the most" April 16 at a benefit dinner at Mermaids Seafood Restaurant in Fayetteville.
The group presented awards to Washington Regional Medical Center for Outstanding Hospital and Community Partner of the Year; Walmart Foundation for Outstanding Foundation of the Year; Woody Bassett for Outstanding Advocate of the Year; and Michael Smith for Outstanding Volunteer of the Year.
"WelcomeHealth provides health and dental care to low-income individuals, regardless of their ability to pay. We are unique in Fayetteville because if a patients qualifies, he/she does not have to pay for services," Monika Fischer, executive director, said. The clinic will start a restorative dental health program May 2.
Those helping WelcomeHealth included June and J.B. Hays, Joan and John Threet, Colene and Roger Montgomery, Susan and Buddy Chadick, Bob King and Mary Alice Serafini, Betty and Eddy Bradford, Brenda and Hugh Kincaid, Karolyn and Don Farrrell,
For more event photos -- nwadg.com/photos/society.
Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at cschoppmeyer@nwadg.com.
NAN Profiles on 04/24/2016