Aimee and Michael Shelby have very personal stories about why they are so involved in helping further the mission of Arkansas Children's Hospital. In fact, they have four stories.
About 45 years ago, Michael was a patient at Arkansas Children's -- undergoing eye surgery. At that time, the hospital was the only place in the state that offered pediatric anesthesiologists, he says.
And the Shelbys' three boys all have been patients at Arkansas Children's Hospital. Their youngest child, Matthew, 8, is an ongoing patient, receiving treatment for food allergies and alopecia universalis at the hospital's allergy and immunology clinic and its dermatology program.
Aimee recalls her first trip to Arkansas Children's when her middle child, Jack, now 9, had an ear infection.
"I thought 'Oh my gosh. Why would you go anywhere else?' It's just so amazing because they were so attentive to him in a way that is so comforting to the parent. You know you're there with your child and sometimes you think 'Oh, maybe I'm overreacting. Am I overreacting?'" Aimee says. "But they don't ever make you feel that way. They make you always feel like you've made the right decision by bringing him to the doctor and to the hospital."
Their oldest child, Porter, 15, has been treated at the hospital for breathing problems.
Because of their personal experiences, the Shelbys are enthusiastic Arkansas Children's volunteers. She served as chairwoman of the Arkansas Children's Hospital Auxiliary last year and he is a member of the Arkansas Children's Foundation.
And they agreed to serve as co-chairs of the hospital's 15th annual gala Miracle Ball. They chose the theme of Home, Hearth and Hospitality and planned to invite guests to an in-person event that was warm and cozy.
"We wanted it to feel like we were welcoming you into our home and we are having a delicious wonderful meal. And now people will be welcoming us into their homes," Aimee says.
That's because the covid-19 pandemic made it impossible for such a large gathering to take place. So the Shelbys will preside over a virtual event Dec. 12 that guests can stream from their homes.
The evening includes many extras. Depending on the level of sponsorship, guests will be delivered goodies such as appetizers and wine that will serve a varying number of guests. Two-time Grammy Award winner Tanya Tucker will give an exclusive concert, and a diamond ring valued at $110,000 donated by Jones and Sons Diamond and Bridal Fine Jewelry will be raffled off.
In the past two years, Miracle Ball has netted about $1 million for Children's Hospital. The goal for the virtual event was a net profit of $650,000, but already net proceeds have reached almost $750,000, Michael says.
Most of the money raised this year is earmarked for the David M. Clark Center for Safe and Healthy Children and for families affected by covid-19.
The Clark Center, on the hospital's Little Rock campus, opened in 2016, It is the state's first comprehensive program to address child abuse and maltreatment by providing medical, advocacy and mental health care under one roof. The center is part of Arkansas Children's plan to transform the health of children in Arkansas by expanding access to pediatric services across the state.
"Child abuse is at an all-time high right now with the pandemic, schools being closed and people laid off, so we felt like it was a worthy cause and this incredible facility located in Little Rock is amazing in itself," Michael says. "The people working there are working like ... dogs to take care of all of these kids who really need it right now."
Aimee and Michael applaud the leadership at Arkansas Children's for expanding with a campus in Northwest Arkansas, a facility in Jonesboro and a clinic that will be built in Pine Bluff.
"From a business owner standpoint, Arkansas Children's is a very strong asset when you are trying to lure businesses or employees in the country," says Michael, co-owner of Southern Company in North Little Rock. "It is certainly at the top of the list of something you can key in on and say 'You've got a family. You've got children. We've got one of the best health care systems in the country for your children.'"
Aimee gets a little choked up when discussing her personal experiences with Arkansas Children's.
"Everywhere I go, someone has a story about Arkansas Children's," she says. "It has touched so many people in Arkansas. It's either themselves who were a patient, their child was a patient, their neighbor, their nephew, their cousin.
"Arkansas Children's has made their lives better because it is such a wonderful place, and I'm just so grateful that we have it. And I am so thankful that my husband and I are able to give back in some way to Arkansas Children's."
More information about Miracle Ball and Arkansas Children's Hospital is available at
archildrens.org.
