Guests attending the 19th annual Starry Starry Night fundraiser for Access schools dined beneath towering arrangements of greenery including boxwood and rosemary grown by students in the school's horticulture program. All the fresh foliage played well into the "secret garden" theme for the fundraiser, held Feb. 23 in the Robinson Center ballroom.
Access provides learning opportunities for children with special needs or learning disabilities in the Little Rock and Pulaski County Special School districts. "The event showcased Access' mission to expand individual potential through innovative instruction, the horticulture program being one way that forward-thinking approach to comprehensive education and therapy is approached," said Krysten Levin, the schools' marketing and special events manager.
A pair of devoted Access parents, Matt and Janna Toland, were co-chairmen of the event. About 440 people attended.
Patrons trolled long tables of silent auction items in the hallway outside the ballroom while they sipped on libations including a rosemary-infused specialty cocktail. Once organizers got everyone wrangled to their seats -- which took some doing -- the Doubletree Hotel staff served a dinner featuring pan-seared chicken breast with tart cranberry and harvest apple filling and a savory cider reduction, fresh haricots vert and herb-roasted potatoes. Dessert was flourless chocolate cake with chocolate toffee crumble or white chocolate mousse with fresh berries.
A video depicting Access' programs and testimonials about Access' success with students revved up bidders in the live auction. Top sellers: dinner at P. Allen Smith's Moss Mountain Home and a one-week stay at the Casa Vista Magnifica in Costa Rica went for $6,500 each, as well as a Mexican fiesta for 30 and a New Orleans Getaway for four that sold for $3,000 each. Total proceeds were more than $250,000.
High Profile on 03/05/2017