This year's Sunshine Gala to benefit the Sunshine School and Development Center will be a combination of a six-day online auction June 8-13 and live streaming event with live auction from 7-8 p.m. June 13 on YouTube Live. Tickets are $25, and participants will receive by mail an event program, thank-you gift and one "Stock the Bar" package raffle ticket. The raffle winner will receive eight bottles of premium liquor to restock a home bar. Five ticketholders will be randomly selected to receive a VIP party basket delivered to their homes. Purchase deadline to receive mailed packages is June 8.
Honorary chairmen for the event are Seth Malley, Walmart vice president, divisional merchandise manager, beverages; and Julie Barber, Walmart vice president, divisional merchandise manager, over-the-counter.
At a Glance
Virtual Sunshine Gala
Who: Sunshine School and Development Center
What: Online auction and livestreaming event
When: Online auction, 8 a.m. June 8-10 p.m. June 13
Live streaming event and live auction, 7-8 p.m. June 13
Where: nwasunshineschool.o…
Information: (479) 636-3190 or sunshineschool.org
Along with the live auction, the livestream event will feature prize drawings, Sunshine School stories and online whiskey pull sponsored by First National Bank of Northwest Arkansas. Live auction items include a Belize trip for eight sponsored by Jack Link's jerky; Sunshine School patchwork canvas art sponsored by Outdoor Cap; and a backyard makeover package from MARS.
The benefit's silent auction will be accessible online from 8 a.m. June 8 to 10 p.m. June 13. Silent auction items include an autographed Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders boot and poster, kids' game basket, "Kindness and Joy" toys basket and a Reynolds and Hefty basket.
The nonprofit organization founded in 1958 offers a therapeutic preschool for children ages 12 months to 5 years who have developmental delays or disabilities. The center also serves school-age children with outpatient therapies and provides community support for adults with disabilities in Benton and Washington counties. Offerings include independent supported living, case management and autism waiver.
The school implemented the Arkansas Autism Waiver Program in 2013 to provide early intervention for children diagnosed with autism from ages 2 to 7. Earlier intervention and the start of therapies -- such as occupational, physical, speech-language, and behavioral/ mental health therapies -- are providing better outcomes for students and families.
While the school is temporarily closed due to coronavirus concerns, programs have been converted to digital platforms so that therapists and teachers can connect with students, clients and families to prevent regression.
Organizers say they count on their annual Sunshine Gala to help raise critical funds to continue their work. By turning the gala into an online auction and livestreaming event, they hope to engage their community of supporters without putting anyone at risk.
For more event photos -- nwadg.com/photos/society.
Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at cschoppmeyer@nwadg.com.
NAN Profiles on 05/24/2020