Big Night gets bigger

Pagnozzi patrons pitch in

Pagnozzi Charities patrons pitched in to raise some $60,000 by way of the 27th annual golf tournament and Ultimate Tailgate and Auction on Nov. 2 at Stonebridge Meadows Golf Club in Fayetteville.

The group presented its Pagnozzi Make a Difference Award to Cliff Harrison. The award “is given in memory of Jim Hawkins to a youth sports coach that has gone above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of the children they coach.”

The nonprofit organization was founded by Tom Pagnozzi, former St. Louis Cardinals and Arkansas Razorbacks catcher, in 1999 to “provide scholarships to youth from low income families throughout Northwest Arkansas, providing them with equal access to the same athletic experiences as their peers.”

Scholarships help families pay for registration, uniforms and other fees associated with organized sports. The group provided financial aid and sports equipment to more than 1,000 athletes in 2017 and has helped 576 so far this year.

Next up will be the sixth annual Princess for a Day event Jan. 26.

Those championing youth sports opportunities included Caroline and Norm DeBriyn, Mary Bassett and Hank Broyles, Jamey and Mike Sims, Gary Head, Abby Maguire and Ryan Wilcoxson, Amber and Mike Partee, Kelli Harmon and Norm Wilcoxson, Stephanie and Michael Pulcino, Kristin and Scott Gardiner, Adam and Jennifer Deckinger, Stephanie and Michael Pulcanio and Michael Swofford.

Big Night on the Las Vegas Strip to benefit Jones Center brought in a record $350,000 for

the nonprofit organization in Springdale on Nov. 3.

The evening’s paddle auction yielded $100,000 that will help the group renovate studio classrooms that house children’s dance and gymnastics classes and purchase 25 new spin bikes for a new Spin Cycle Studio.

Those going big for the Jones Center included Holly and Jim Breach, Tina and Nate Hodne, Betsy and Loyd Phillips, Linda Wray, Lynn Donald Carver, Kelli and Steve Gemmell, Diane and Russell Tooley, Michelle and Jason Nichol, Cyndi and David Pierre, Mindy and Marc Sherwood, Patty and Joel White and Nicole and Corey Bender.

For more event photos — nwadg.com/photos/society.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Jeannie Gilmore (from left), Charlotte Steele, Paula Irwin, Linda Wray, Sherrie Hanks and Joyce Jones help support the Jones Center at Big Night on the Las Vegas Strip gala Nov. 3 at the center in Springdale.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Sara Burns and Eli Glassen (from left), Jamey and Mike Sims and Mary Bassett and Hank Broyles help support Pagnozzi Charities.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Jones Center CEO Ed and Carol Clifford (from left), Betty Shewmaker and Jack Cauwells and Jan Venters visit at Big Night.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Nate and Tina Hodne (from left) and Alexis Hodne and Miller Pleimann enjoy Big Night.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Tim Koch (from left), Dean Rollins and John Long attend the Ultimate Tailgate.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Norm and Caroline DeBriyn, Tom Pagnozzi and Gary Head welcome Pagnozzi Charities patrons for the 27th annual Ultimate Tailgate and Auction on Nov. 2 at Stonebridge Meadows Golf Club in Fayetteville.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Michael and Stephanie Pulcanio (from left) visit with Michael Swofford at the Ultimate Tailgate.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Betsy and Loyd Phillips attend Big Night at the Jones Center.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Chad Atchley (from left), Norm Wilcoxson and Kelli Harmon and Abby Maguire and Ryan Wilcoxson enjoy the Ulitimate Tailgate.