Easter Seals wins

Dinner, reception for Cowboys executive Stephen Jones raises $385,000

Stephen Jones, considered to be the top Dallas Cowboys executive under his father and Cowboys’ owner, Jerry Jones, was honored as Arkansan of the Year 2017 by Easter Seals Arkansas the night of April 6. About 500 people gathered in the Wally Allen ballroom of the Statehouse Convention Center to support Easter Seals and shower praise upon Jones for his leadership with the football team and the nonprofit.

The fun started with an invitation-only VIP reception in the Riverview Room at the Little Rock Marriott. Guests included Cowboys running back and former Razorback Darren McFadden, who signed small football helmets for attendees, along with a couple of longtime friends of Jerry Jones’ from his days on the board of Arkansas Louisiana Gas Company (Arkla) — former Chief Executive Officers Sheffield Nelson and Mack McLarty.

After a second reception in the lobby outside the ballroom, another heavy hitter, Easter Seals CEO Elaine Eubank, welcomed the crowd. After a dinner of root beer-braised short ribs with Chihuahua cheese polenta and grilled asparagus, Nelson introduced Stephen Jones by highlighting Jones’ work with Easter Seals. A smile-worthy photo that kept showing up on video screens around the room: a snapshot of the honoree holding Easter Seals ambassador “LaTravius,” the 2017 Grand Prairie Child Development Center representative.

The dinner raised about $385,000 for Easter Seals, including $20,000 that one guest paid for a party of four to sit in the Jones Family Suite for the Cowboys game of their choosing, said Mac Bell, director of development and communication for Easter Seals.

Mack and Donna McLarty, Gene and Jerry Jones of Dallas, Mary Lynn and Sheffield Nelson and Karen and Stephen Jones, also of Dallas

Easter Seals Arkansas President and CEO Elaine Eubank (center) with board member Chris and Meredith Johnson

Gloria Redman (center) with Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders Robin and Jennifer

Franklin McLarty of Dallas, board member Gus Vratsinas and Mark McLarty

Dallas Cowboys football player and former Razorback Darren McFadden signs a small Cowboys helmet for Alfred Williams.

Boyce Johnson and state Attorney General Leslie Rutledge with Jan Wilkins and John Bailey

Dr. Peter and Carla Emanuel, Sharri Jones, Bobbi McDaniel and Bill Jones

Rogers Cockrill, Amy and James Harkins and Claire and Adam Kohler