Saving Grace supporters turned out in force for the Butterflies and Blooms benefit luncheon April 28 at the Rogers Convention Center.
Saving Grace, a Christ-centered nonprofit organization, works with young women 18 to 25 who have "aged out" of foster care or group homes. Providing transitional living, the group also equips residents with independent living education, educational assistance and a support system that is missing for most of the girls.
"Saving Grace has been home to more than 150 young women since 2010. Our program receives over 150 applications per year, but in our current space we can only serve 12 girls at a time," says Becky Shaffer, founder.
Recently announced plans for growth include a "farm-style campus in Centerton, built to serve 50 girls at a time." The campus, Grace Farm, is set to include the addition of efficiency apartments and equine assisted therapy. Long-range plans include a community garden, offices, life skills classroom space, mentor gatherings and volunteer trainings.
Leaders say the nonprofit organization is 100 percent privately supported through donations and grants, with no federal funding. Proceeds from the luncheon comprise approximately one-third of the group's annual budget.
Luncheon sponsors included Walmart; Sureway NWA; The Coca-Cola Company; Sam's Furniture; Brandi Mallard, Collier and Associates; Synchrony Financial; Clear View Enterprises; and Jasco.
The eighth annual Red Shoe Soiree to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkoma saw some 375 backers taking part in the festivities in red footwear April 29 at Osage House in Cave Springs. Lindsay Dixon, development director, tells me those gathered helped the nonprofit organization raise more than $200,000 -- an all-time record.
Ronald McDonald Houses and Family Rooms in hospitals allow parents with hospitalized children to stay steps away, rather than miles away. The group serves western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma through a Ronald McDonald House at Washington Regional in Fayetteville; Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at Mercy Northwest Arkansas in Rogers and Mercy Fort Smith; a Ronald McDonald House in Fort Smith; and the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, "a mobile dental clinic providing underserved children with comprehensive dental care in a school-based setting."
Ways to help the organization include Share a Meal, Adopt a Pantry, volunteering and Hearts and Hands Society membership. Visit rmhcofarkoma.org for more information.
Among those attending the soiree were Emily and Cody Mathews, Ella and Wes Shelton, Allison and Bentley Harrell, Kara and Rick Ault, Brooke and Reese Bailey, Jen and Michael Nunley, Emily and Steven Martin, Jordan Franklin, Caroline Lind, Missy Clifton, Rupal Poltak, Monica Goode, Jordan Frank, Erica Schmitz, Katherine Kiesel, Katya Farmer, Jennifer Burgess, Roxanne Blake, Tammy Henigin, Yulia and Alec Ginsberg, Morgan and Chris Chandler, Jon and Tresa Reynolds, Tony and Kate Castagne, David and Carine Castagne and Steve and Kristi Evers.
For more event photos -- nwadg.com/photos/society.
Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at cschoppmeyer@nwadg.com.
Grant Patterson (from left), Whitney Cooper, Charles Greathouse, Scott Bennington of Walmart, and Kathy Lee, Saving Grace volunteer, gather at Butterflies and Blooms. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Rick and Kara Ault, 2022 Taylor Award recipient (from left) and Ella and Wes Shelton, founders of the Taylor McKeen Shelton Foundation, visit at the RMHC of Arkoma Red Shoe Soiree. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Sydnie Bayles, Saving Grace alumna (center), is joined by her mentors Becky King (left) and Jami Gardner at Butterflies and Blooms. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Reece and Brooke Bailey (from left), Michael and Jen Nunley and Steve and Emily Martin help represent Tyson Foods at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkoma Red Shoe Soiree on April 29 at Osage House in Cave Springs. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Lauren James (from left), Summer Reighn, Stacey Passas, Sarah Johnson and Jody Dilday help support Saving Grace at Butterflies and Blooms on April 28. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Alec and Yulia Ginsberg enjoy the Red Shoe Soiree. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Kamber Henson (from left), Kent and Becky Shaffer, Jennifer Watson, Cathleen Hood and Tracie Irvine of Saving Grace welcome backers to Butterflies and Blooms on April 28. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Allison and Bentley Harrell attend the Red Shoe Soiree. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)