THE SOCIAL FRONT
Camp 479
On April 10, Girl Scouts - Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas hosted its fourth annual Camp 479 fundraising event at Heroncrest in Elm Springs. This year, the organization welcomed more than 120 guests, with six sponsors supporting its cause. Guests experienced what it’s like to be a Girl Scout by learning new skills and earning badges. The night included a silent auction, signature cocktails, dinner and camp-y Girl Scouting activities, such as hatchet throwing and friendship bracelet making. Tina Winham was head counselor for the evening. More than $60,000 was raised to provide financial assistance for girls and adults, including membership fees, training for leaders, financial assistance for girls to attend summer camp, and to support the Girl Scouts - Diamonds camp property, Camp NOARK, in Huntsville. www.girlscoutsdiamonds.org
Reading the Greens
On April 11, the Fayetteville Public Library Foundation hosted its fourth annual Reading the Greens at Blair Library. The event included a friendly mini golf competition, featuring an 18-hole mini golf course and three special challenge holes inside the library. Participants created team themes while enjoying food from Catering Unlimited, drinks and gameplay. Jason Suel, co-host and producer of KNWA’s Good Day NWA, served as emcee for the evening, and DJ Shortfuze provided the night's soundtrack. More than 200 guests attended the event, which raised nearly $70,000 to benefit the Fayetteville Public Library Foundation and its work to support library programs, including author talks, the FPL on Wheels Bookmobile, Summer Reading Club and more. supportfpl.org
UnGala
Northwest Arkansas’ most exciting and hands-on fundraiser, the Scott Family Amazeum’s UnGala presented by Nabholz, was held at the museum in Bentonville on April 17. Lauren Chuday, vice president of merchandise operations in entertainment, toys and seasonal at Walmart, and Michael Dodd, senior merchandise director in home solutions at Walmart, were this year’s honorary chairs. More than 300 guests enjoyed activities inside and around the Amazeum. The event featured one-of-a-kind activations by the Amazeum's exhibits team and local creatives, such as TIPsy Chemistry, where guest mixologists crafted their own signature drinks and rallied friends to “tip” them as a donation to the Amazeum. More than $150,000 was raised to support Amazeum accessibility initiatives. www.amazeum.org
Panther Party
St. Joseph Catholic School hosted its annual Panther Party on April 17 at The Haven in Fayetteville. Nearly 170 guests embraced the luau theme, enjoying an evening filled with lively music, dancing and great food. The celebration featured a delicious dinner by Hawaiian Bros Island Grill, specialty beverages, a silent auction and more. Thanks to the generosity of attendees and supporters, the event raised more than $58,000 to support the future of the school. www.sjfayschool.com
Sunshine Gala
The Sunshine School & Development Center hosted its unforgettable Sunshine Gala on April 18 at Ledger in Bentonville, welcoming more than 400 guests for an evening filled with dinner, drinks, dancing and incredible generosity. Supporters from across Northwest Arkansas gathered to celebrate the mission of Sunshine School while enjoying live and silent auctions, inspiring stories, and a night focused on making a difference for children and adults with developmental disabilities. This year’s honorary chairs included Kayln Chance, vice president divisional merchandise manager of fresh bakery and commercial bread at Walmart; Will McDonald, vice president of household essentials at Walmart; and Ryan Peterson, vice president of merchandising of candy and impulse at Walmart. Their leadership and passion helped make the evening one to remember. Thanks to the overwhelming support of sponsors, donors, volunteers and community partners, the gala raised more than $505,000 for Sunshine School, making it the most successful gala since 2020. Funds raised will directly support therapy, education, advocacy, and family services that help children and families across Northwest Arkansas shatter limitations and reach their full potential. www.nwasunshineschool.org
Game Show Battle NWA
On April 23, Northwest Arkansas Food Bank hosted its annual Game Show Battle NWA at AC Hotel in Bentonville. Corporate teams brought energy, creativity and competitive spirit as they faced off to guess the most popular survey answers across a range of fun topics. Participants included Hormel Foods, The Kraft Heinz Company, PepsiCo, General Mills, Keurig Dr Pepper, Post Consumer Brands, BOK Financial, Walmart, Cherokee Casino & Hotel West Siloam Springs, and Spectrum Brands. Congratulations to Keurig Dr Pepper for taking home the win. Beyond the fun and competition, this event helped raise awareness and funds to support the food bank’s mission to feed hungry people throughout Northwest Arkansas. www.nwafoodbank.org
Dish
On April 23, the Arkansas Children’s Northwest Auxiliary hosted Dish at Ledger in Bentonville. This upscale, Palm Royale-inspired celebration brought together more than 500 guests to enjoy tastings from 24 of some of Northwest Arkansas’ best restaurants, entertainment by No Vacancy and an online silent auction. This year’s honorary restaurateurs were Mollie Mullis Murphy and Luke Wetzel of Oven & Tap, Superfine Sweets Shoppe and Townie Burgers & Bevvies. The event chair was Sarah Ross of the ACNW Auxiliary. Featured restaurants included Arkansas Children’s Northwest, baked by kori bakery & wine bar, The Cake Occasion, Cheers at the OPO, Conifer, Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream, Hardwater Cocktail Room, The Hive, Hugs Ice Cream, Isabella’s Italian, Junto, Markham & Fitz, Menya Kitakara, Mirabella’s Table, Oven & Tap, Plomo Quesadillas, The Purple Cow, Ryn, Superfine Sweets Shoppe, Table Mesa Bistro, Tavola Trattoria, Theo’s Rogers, Townie Burgers & Bevvies, Wooden Spoon Provisions and Wright’s Barbecue. The event raised $194,000 to support ACNW. www.archildrens.org/dish
