In short
Butterflies and flowers
Who: Saving Grace
What: Recipes from the annual luncheon will help the group grow.
When: April 28
Where: Rogers Convention Center
Information: (479) 636-1133 or savinggracenwa.org
Red shoes party
Who: Arkoma Ronald McDonald House Works
What: The eighth annual benefit raised a record $200,000+.
When: April 29
Where: Osage House in Cave Springs.
Next: Golf 4 a Cause, August 29
Information: (479) 756-5600 or rmhcofarkoma.org
Saving Grace supporters turned out in force for the Butterflies and Blooms benefit luncheon on April 28 at the Rogers Convention Center.
Saving Grace, a Christ-centered nonprofit, works with young women ages 18 to 25 who have “aged” from foster care or group homes. Providing transitional living, the group also offers residents independent living education, educational assistance and a support system that most girls lack.
“Saving Grace has welcomed over 150 young women since 2010. Our program receives over 150 applications a year, but in our current space we can only serve 12 girls at a time,” says Becky Shaffer, Founder.
Recently announced growth plans include a “farmhouse-style campus in Centerton, built to house 50 girls at a time.” The campus, Grace Farm, is expected to include the addition of efficiency apartments and horse-assisted therapy. Long-term plans include a community garden, offices, a life skills classroom, mentor gatherings and volunteer trainings.
Leaders say the nonprofit is 100% privately funded through donations and grants, with no federal funding. Lunch proceeds make up about a third of the group’s annual budget.
Luncheon sponsors included Walmart; NWA Sureway; The Coca-Cola Company; Sam’s Furniture; Brandi Mallard, Collier and Associates; Synchrony Financial; Clear View Enterprises; and Jasco.
The eighth annual Red Shoe Night to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkoma saw some 375 donors take part in the red shoe festivities on April 29 at Osage House in Cave Springs. Lindsay Dixon, director of development, tells me that the people gathered helped the nonprofit raise more than $200,000, an all-time high.
Ronald McDonald Houses and Hospital Family Rooms allow parents of 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 in 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 setting.”
Ways to help the organization include sharing a meal, adopting a food pantry, volunteering, and joining the Hearts and Hands Society. Visit rmhcofarkoma.org for more information.
Those in attendance at the party included 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.
Rick and Kara Ault, recipients of the 2022 Taylor Prize (left to right) and Ella and Wes Shelton, founders of the Taylor McKeen Shelton Foundation, visit the RMHC of Arkoma Red Shoe Soiree. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Saving Grace alumnus Sydnie Bayles (centre) is joined by her mentors Becky King (left) and Jami Gardner from Butterflies and Blooms. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Reece and Brooke Bailey (left to right), Michael and Jen Nunley and Steve and Emily Martin help represent Tyson Foods at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkoma Red Shoe Soiree April 29 at Osage House in Cave Springs. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Lauren James (left to right), 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 enjoying the Red Shoe Soiree. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Kamber Henson (left to right), Kent and Becky Shaffer, Jennifer Watson, Cathleen Hood and Tracie Irvine of Saving Grace greet Butterflies and Blooms donors on April 28. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Allison and Bentley Harrell attend the Red Shoe Soiree. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)