Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Peel patrons gather
Gala helps gardens grow
Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas supporters gathered for the annual Jingle Mingle on Dec. 7 at the Barn at the Springs in Springdale.
The event is a chance for scholarship recipients and supporters to ring in the holidays and serves as a fundraiser for the nonprofit organization.
The fund helps single parents in Carroll, Madison and Washington counties and awards approximately $371,000 in scholarships to 132 recipients. Along with money for school, the group helps recipients with living expenses and provides a mentoring program and other supports for recipients and their families through graduation.
Jordan Bollinger, four-time scholarship recipient, shared her experiences with SPSF NWA with those gathered. She graduated in June 2016 as a licensed practical nurse and will graduate in December 2018 as a registered nurse. “The Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas has been the sole financial supporter of my education.”
Among the minglers were Natalie Charlton and David Erstine, Natalie and Colt Bartholomew, Rob Husong, Matt Hicks, John Threet, Justin DeLille, Elaine and David Longer, Denise and Hershey Garner and Courtney and Levon Ogden.
The Peel Compton Foundation welcomed supporters to the group’s annual Gala at the Peel Mansion on Dec. 9 in Bentonville.
The evening helps support programs at the Peel Mansion and Heritage Gardens and Compton Gardens and Conference Center. Offerings include public tours of the historic mansion and grounds, a children’s butterfly garden,
School Days for elementary students and workshops.
Those gathered at the gala included Lynne and Jim Walton, Corrina and Alan Dranow, Nancy Martin and Alan Lewis, Rhonda and Harrison French, Colleen Hendren, Valorie and Randy Lawson, Cynthia Coughlin, Stacy and Rod Bigelow, Francis and Fritz Steiger and Corrin and Bill Troutman.
Healing Gardens of Northwest Arkansas backers joined the nonprofit organization that same evening, Dec. 9, for the Winter Garden Ball at the Center for Collaboration in Bentonville.
Proceeds from the evening will go toward construction of the garden, planned to be open in 2020 behind the Highlands Oncology Group facility on Horsebarn Road in Rogers. The garden will include a labyrinth, waterfall, 2.2 acres of gardens, sculptures, a reflecting pool and a stone-stacking area.
Next up for the nonprofit organization will be the Sprouting Hope luncheon Jan. 19 at the Center for Nonprofits at St. Mary’s in Rogers.
Those gathering for the garden ball included Pam Cicione, Becky Paneitz, Melanie and Thad Beck, Gayle and Jerry Staten and Chris and Ron Thurston.
May the new year bring many blessings to you and those you love.
For more event photos — nwadg.com/photos/society.