Evening honors veterans

Philanthropists lauded

Military Warriors Support Foundation, REBOOT Combat Recovery and Sheep Dog Impact Assistance, nonprofit organizations serving veterans, benefited from the inaugural Honoring of Heroes Veterans Gala on Nov. 10 at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale. Retired Marine Col. Oliver North, who is also National Rifle Association president, provided the keynote remarks for the evening. Speakers also included Army Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Leroy Sisco, Military Warriors Support Foundation; former Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch; Willie Robertson; John Griffin; and Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin.

Military Warriors Support Foundation “provides support and programs that facilitate a smooth and successful transition for our nation’s combat wounded heroes and Gold Star families.” The group focuses on housing and home ownership through Homes 4 Wounded Heroes, employment, recreational activities through Skills4Life, and help with transportation.

REBOOT “exists to help veterans, first responders and their families heal from the moral and spiritual wounds associated with service-related trauma.”

Sheep Dog Impact Assistance helps provide “a civilian framework through which trained emergency and military personnel extend their service to society, to assist our neighbors in times of disaster and our own in times of hardship, and to respond independently, efficiently and strategically, achieving the greatest impact possible.”

The Northwest Arkansas chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals gave thanks to area philanthropists at the group’s National Philanthropy Day luncheon Nov. 14 at the Fayetteville

Town Center. The annual event is an opportunity to honor those whose generosity and efforts have contributed to our community by giving and inspiring others to give.

The 2018 honorees are:

■ Gina and Neal Pendergraft — Outstanding Philanthropist;

■ Cynthia and Kirk Dupps — Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser;

■ Gay Prescott — Outstanding Fundraising Executive;

■ The Chase Family Foundation — Outstanding Foundation;

■ Cargill Inc. — Outstanding Corporation;

■ Dick Trammel — Lifetime Achievement;

■ Gable Sloan — Youth in Philanthropy, Individual;

■ Alpha Chi Omega

— Youth in Philanthropy, Group; and

■ Betsy McNabb Phillips — Judges Special Award.

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

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Army Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Leroy Sisco, Military Warriors Support Foundation (from left); former Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch; Willie Robertson; retired Marine Col. Oliver North, National Rifle Association president; John Griffin; Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin; Coffey Anderson; and Larra and Joe Donaldson help support charities serving veterans at the Honoring of Heroes Veterans Gala on Nov. 10 at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Rob and Cynthia Davis enjoy the Honoring of Heroes Veterans Gala.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/JOCELYN MURPHY Alison Levin (seated, from left), Eva Terry, Tyler Clark, Ashley Wardlow, Elizabeth Prenger (standing, from left), Cindy Long, Emily Rappe Fisher, Megan Cuddy, Jaclyn Keeter, Sarah Du Preez and Allison McElroy, AFP Northwest Arkansas board members, welcome guests to the National Philanthropy Day luncheon Nov. 14 at the Fayetteville Town Center.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/JOCELYN MURPHY Karen Parker (from left), Nancy and Dick Trammel and Betsy Phillips visit at the Association of Fundraising Professionals luncheon. Dick was presented the Lifetime Achievement award and Betsy the Judges Special Award.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Russ and Jamie Daniel help support veterans.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/JOCELYN MURPHY Outstanding Fundraising Executive Gay Prescott and husband Larry enjoy the AFP luncheon.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/JOCELYN MURPHY Neal and Gina Pendergraft, Outstanding Philanthropist honorees, talk with Fred Hueston on National Philanthropy Day.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Elyse Tarver and former Marine Cpl. Aaron Mankin attend the Veterans Gala on Nov. 10.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/JOCELYN MURPHY Jim Tucker (from left), Kirk and Cynthia Dupps, Jimmie Tucker, Holly Ertel and KC and Joe Tucker gather at the AFP luncheon Nov. 14. Kirk and Cynthia were presented this year’s Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser award.