THE SOCIAL FRONT
Heart Ball
The Northwest Arkansas office of the American Heart Association held its 2024 Heart Ball on Feb. 16 at the Rogers Convention Center. About 850 people packed into the ballroom for a cocktail hour, an elegant meal, live and silent auctions, and a presentation of the 2024 class of NWA Sweethearts. Vinima Shekhar of Walmart and Sheila Gamble of Sanofi co-chaired the event, and Craig Shy, president of the Fayetteville region of Arvest Bank, was honored during the event as a heart attack survivor. Thirty-nine Sweethearts raised more than $100,000 for the organization. Sponsors such as The Emerson Group, Bayer Healthcare, Walmart, Sanofi, Haleon, SkinnyPop and Ice Breakers helped push proceeds over the $945,000 mark. An after-party featuring Rock & Roll Pianos, a high-energy dueling piano act from Nashville, Tennessee, finished off the night. Donations to the Heart Ball may be made through June at heart.org/nwaheartball.
Battle of the Banks
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas hosted its 7th annual Battle of the Banks at Fast Lane Entertainment in Lowell on Feb. 15. Hosted by David Erstine of CBRE and Somer Adams of Lindsey & Associates, top sponsors included CitiScapes Magazine, Ernst & Young, City Title, Signature Bank, Celebrate Magazine and 3W Magazine. Teams joined together to battle for a chance to win the Super Strikers and Team Spirit awards. The Super Strikers Award went to Legacy Bank, and the Team Spirit Award went to First National Bank of NWA. Through the event and with donations, Big Brothers Big Sisters raised $23,000 — all of which will stay local to fund the 1,500 Big and Little matches that the organization supports in Northwest Arkansas. www.bbbsnwa.org
Soup Sunday
On Feb. 18, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families hosted its annual Soup Sunday at Rogers Convention Center. The event was co-chaired by Clint and Jess Schaff. Approximately 1,000 guests and volunteers circulated the ballroom, sampling more than 29 kinds of soups, breads and sweets from local restaurants and vendors, including dessert items from eight local bakers. Guest also enjoyed live music by the Mojo Trio, Kid Zone activities led by Ozark Ballet Theater, illusionist Herb Hodde, who also made fabulous animal balloons, and music by Troy Schremmer, a local music educator. Garver USA also brought a water filtration demonstration for the Kid Zone. The event featured a Golden Ladle Award, which was awarded by judges Kim Bryden, Guy Choate, Jaclyn House, Joseph Nguyen, Baang and Marshall Shafkowitz, as well as a People’s Choice Award, where guests voted for their favorite soup. The Golden Ladle Award first place went to Embassy Suites by Hilton Northwest Arkansas with its Thai coconut chicken soup. The People’s Choice Award first place went to Early Bird Catering with its Calcasieu River crawfish and corn soup. Through ticket sales, sponsorships, donations and a silent auction, the event raised more than $220,000 to benefit the nonpartisan, nonprofit organization. Presenting sponsors were the Bozie Foundation and Excellerate Foundation. Nearly 800 pounds of canned soup was donated by guests for the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank. www.aradvocates.org
Legacy Luncheon
Kendrick Fincher Hydration for Life hosted its inaugural Legacy Luncheon on Feb. 28 at Sterling Bank in Fayetteville, with presenting sponsor Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation, Inc. The late Dean Weber was honored with the Legacy Award for his remarkable contributions to the athletic community as well as his dedicated involvement with Kendrick Fincher Hydration for Life. Approximately 100 guests listened to personal anecdotes from Weber’s friends and colleagues James Johnson, Meredith Pettigrew, Dr. Brendon McDermott, Matt Zimmerman and Quinn Grovey. Sean Rochelle accepted the award in place of Weber’s sons. Attendees were treated to a lunch from Herman’s Ribhouse and a Chug Dirty Soda bar sponsored by Cherokee Casino – West Siloam Springs. Following the speakers, guests played a game of Heads or Tails to win a “Pick Your Paradise” vacation package to either Mexico or the Smoky Mountains. At the end of the event, Executive Director Kayla LaCavera announced the award will be renamed the Dean Weber Legacy Award in his honor moving forward. More than $25,000 was raised to help keep Arkansas student-athletes safe. www.kendrickfincher.org
