THE SOCIAL FRONT
Dancing with Our Stars
The Children's Tumor Foundation’s Dancing with Our Stars Northwest Arkansas Gala took place March 9 at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville. The event was co-chaired by Malorie Marrs, Courtney Backus Norton and Mimi Stewart, with more than 300 people in attendance. This dance competition featured local celebrities, including Tony Waller with Walmart, Misty Van Hooser with Keller Williams Market Pro Realty, Allisha Watkins with Paradox, Ryan Fox with Foxy Tees, Lee Hollingsworth with Hollingsworth Custom Homes and Walmart, and Melissa Parrish with Real World Travel. Dancers were judged by Wyley Elliot, Kati Moore, Kim Sharpe and Thai Trower. Tony Waller won the Championship Mirror Ball trophy for raising the most money through sponsorships, donations, ticket sales and silent auction items. Best Performance went to Ryan Fox, and the Community Advocate Award went to Allisha Watkins. Overall, the event raised more than $100,000 in the fight to #EndNF, or neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that occurs in 1 in 2,000 births and causes tumors to grow along the nerves of the body. www.ctf.org
The Abilities Ball
Life Styles, Inc. hosted its 2nd annual Abilities Ball on March 9 at Fayetteville Public Library. The event celebrates the remarkable abilities of the people with intellectual and developmental disabilities Life Styles has served since its founding in Fayetteville in 1976. The event featured music by Yachtzy, a live and silent auction, delicious small plate dining by Ozark Catering, and a showstopping performance by Life Styles clients. Approximately 400 guests attended the ball, and a grand total of $70,000 was raised to support the organization’s mission of helping individuals with disabilities reach their fullest potential. www.lifestylesinc.org
Big Party
On March 9, the Fayetteville Junior Civic League held its annual Big Party, with the theme “I Love Fayetteville,” at George’s Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville. This year, the event was presented by Alex Baldwin State Farm, Commerce Construction Company, Chambers Bank, Citiscapes Magazine and Premier Dermatology. More than 500 people decked out in 1990s and 2000s attire attended the event, which began with a happy hour featuring music by the Rachel B Band. After that, they danced the night away to music by Dial Up and The Burnt CDs while enjoying a 360 Smile Cam from BrightBooths sponsored by Sterling Bank. Late night bites were sponsored by McDonalds’ and Moff’s Pizza. The funds raised through generous corporate sponsorships, ticket sales and an online raffle will be awarded to 23 local organizations benefiting women and children in the region, including Apple Seeds, Boston Mountain Youth Ranch, Ramay Junior High Girls Rock Program and Safer Fayetteville. www.fayettevillejcl.com
Handprints for Hope Luncheon
The Children’s Safety Center of Washington County hosted its 8th annual Handprints for Hope Luncheon at the Fayetteville Public Library on March 12. Approximately 450 guests were welcomed by Larra Donaldson of Sam’s Furniture before listening to a CSC client speak about her relationship with the center while sharing her inspiring story. Four Helping Hand awards were given out to businesses and individuals who have allowed the center to grow over the years. Buf Studio received the Outstanding Business Partner Award, Junior League of Northwest Arkansas received the Outstanding Organization Award, Matt Durrett received the Outstanding Agency Partner Award and Susan Antony received the Chris Thornton Sidekick Award. More than $40,000 was raised to directly impact the CSC’s programs and services, which are provided free to alleged child abuse victims and their families. www.childrenssafetycenter.org
Studio 3C
For its 15th anniversary, Community Creative Center hosted Studio 3C at its location, the Walton Arts Center’s Nadine Baum Studios in Fayetteville, on March 15. The event was beautifully lit by Lightworks Events, and more than 125 guests enjoyed artisanal cheeses, cured meats, wine and gourmet accompaniments from Sweet Freedom Cheese while taking in a gallery exhibition from Penland School of Craft’s resident artist Ellie Richards, an art sale and a celebrity art area. The event featured cigars under the stars, live artist demonstrations, a martini bar, bourbon and brews, coffee provided by Arsaga's, a live auction, and a champagne toast to honor Starling Family Foundation and CCC board members Marcella Thompson and Barb Putman. Attendees were also treated to food pairings from Pesto’s by Lance, Eat My Catfish, Cafe Rue Orleans, Petra Café and Nothing Bundt Cakes. With the help of auctioneer Kim Daniels and generous donations from Diamond Center, Dillard’s, Edible Culture, Intents Party Rentals and Big Paws, the event raised more than $25,000 to support CCC’s mission: to awaken the extraordinary power of art to engage individuals and the community through accessible arts education. www.communitycreativecenter.org
Butterflies & Blooms Luncheon
Saving Grace of Northwest Arkansas hosted its 15th annual Butterflies & Blooms Luncheon on March 28 at the Rogers Convention Center. This year’s event hosted approximately 1,400 guests, who enjoyed lunch, opening remarks from Board President Adrienne Woods, comments from Executive Director and Co-Founder Becky Shaffer, and a program impact update from Program Director Wendi Seidel. During the event, Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame presented Saving Grace with $5,000 to support life skills educational experiences for “Grace,” and Saving Grace Alumna Autumn Lilly’s original song was played for attendees. Approximately 600 donors raised more than $301,695 for the organization’s yearly budget, benefiting girls who have aged out of foster care or found themselves homeless and lacking critical support. www.savinggracenwa.org
Northwest Arkansas Fashion Week
Northwest Arkansas Fashion Week, presented by INTERFORM, hit the runway this spring at Ledger in Bentonville on March 28-30. The three thematic evenings focused on community, art and industry, with presenting sponsors each night that included Walmart Beauty Isle, L'Oreal Paris and Pantene. The event partnered with Walmart Beauty and featured collections from Project Runway designers, engaging panel discussions, and the area’s most talented local designers. NWA Fashion Week presented by INTERFORM generated $55,000 in ticket sales to invest into community programming, such as the EMERGE Designers in Residence program, the ASSEMBLY curatorial cohort program and community sewing classes. www.interform.art
Live United Campaign Awards Luncheon
United Way of Northwest Arkansas hosted its 2024 Live United Campaign Awards Luncheon at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s Northwest Arkansas Corporate Center in Springdale on April 4. The event celebrated and recognized United Way’s corporate partners for the significant contributions their companies and employees have made to the annual giving campaign. United Way of NWA Chairman of the Board Elizabeth Murphy, Associate Manager of Finance and People Mariah Voelkel, and Director of Corporate Relations Rhonda Bramell spoke to guests about the impact made through the campaigns and the people who run them. A total of 13 awards were distributed to local organizations, celebrating the impact these individuals and organizations are having on United Way of NWA’s goal to provide children and families a pathway out of poverty in our area. www.unitedwaynwa.org
