Mercy makes merry

Peel Mansion rings in the season

The Peel Compton Foundation rang in the holiday season with “A Modern Christmas Carol” Nov. 30 at the Peel Mansion in Bentonville.

The evening helps support programs at the Peel Mansion Museum 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 joining the foundation for a modern take on a classic included Jim and Lynne Walton, Rhonda and Harrison French, Colleen Hendren, Sue and Charles Redfield, Alan Dranow, Mary and Darryl Zettle and Lynn and Don Blakeman.

Some 1,600 guests helped Mercy Health Foundation Northwest Arkansas raise more than

$1.3 million at the 25th annual O Night Divine Charity Ball on Dec. 1 at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers.

Nathan Smith, J.B. Hunt Transport senior vice president, announced a $2.5 million donation to the health foundation’s Opening Doors: Our Commitment Continues capital campaign.

Nicole Crawford, Mercy regional director of operations, said the nonprofit organization kicked off the multi-year campaign in 2016 to “produce exponential, systemic change. Health remains a vital element of community infrastructure.

Over the next 10 years, Mercy will address three main pillars: access to and quality of healthcare; economic development; and quality of life with emphasis on the poor and disenfranchised.”

The health care system provided some $22.6 million in charity care in 2017.

The foundation takes the opportunity at each year’s ball to recognize standouts who have made a difference for the nonprofit organization. The 2018 honorees were: Margaret Ehmke, Volunteer of the Year; and American Greetings, Organization of the Year.

The evening included the Dickie Ray Club pledge drive led by Dick Trammel. The drive yielded some $200,000 that will support enhancements to cardiac services through the addition of an Epiq CVx cardiac ultrasound.

Among those making merry with Mercy were Dawn and Eric Pianalto, Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas president; Susan and Dr. Steve Goss, Mercy Clinics Northwest Arkansas president; Diane and Wayne Callahan; Nancy and Dick Trammel; Melba Shewmaker; Daniel Shewmaker; Cathy and Sen. John Boozman; Elda and Eric Scott and Susan and Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

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

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER (from left) and Cathy and Sen. John Boozman attend O Night Divine on Dec. 1 at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Keith and Margaret Ehmke (from left) and Dick and Nancy Trammel enjoy the 25th annual Mercy Health Foundation Charity Ball.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Casey and Amy Benincosa (from left), Melba Shewmaker, Dan Shewmaker and Emily and Dan Jandack attend O Night Divine.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Don and Lynn Blakeman volunteer at “A Modern Christmas Carol.”

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Mary and Darryl Zettle attend “A Modern Christmas Carol” Nov. 30 at the Peel Mansion in Bentonville.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Rhonda and Harrison French help support the Peel Compton Foundation on Nov. 30.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Shane and Keri Wilkinson (from left), Eric and Elda Scott, Scott and Cynthia Cooper and Andrew and Sarah Boyer gather at O Night Divine.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Carol Moyer (left) and Suzanne Chilton welcome “A Modern Christmas Carol” guests to the Peel Mansion.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Serena and Nathan Smith help support the Mercy Health Foundation at O Night Divine Charity Ball on Dec. 1.