Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Chefs chase blues away
Partners gather for prevention
Arkansas first lady Susan Hutchinson headlined the Children’s Safety Center Partners + Prevention luncheon March 5 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Fayetteville.
The Children’s Safety Center coordinates investigation, prosecution and treatment services in child abuse cases with law enforcement, child protective services, victim service providers, prosecutors, medical personnel, mental health professionals and volunteers. The nonprofit organization has helped more than 9,000 people since opening in 1997.
Hutchinson told those gathered that the child advocacy center in Springdale is one of 17 in Arkansas. She said advocacy centers are the only organizations “who stand in the gap between the child who is holding the most horrible secret … to a safe place with nice people who know how to talk to you, calm you down. As long as they talk, we will listen.”
She said that with the recent change of the Arkansas child abuse hotline number to 1-844-SAVE-ACHILD (1-844-728-3224) reports increased by 4,000 last year.
The group presented awards to: ■ Little Guys Movers — Partners + Prevention Award;
■ Michael McHenry — Ordinary Hero Award; and
■ Joel Bunyard — Extraordinary Hero Award.
Next up for the group will be an open house April 23 and the Dream Big Charity Gala on July 20.
Those partnering with the center for prevention included Sarah White, Eric Pianalto, Jordan and Richard Watkins, Corie and Jordan Greer, Larra and Joe Donaldson, Matt Bumgarner and Susan Antony.
Revelers gathered for The Chase Family Foundation’s seventh
annual Chase the Blues Away on March 5 at the Fayetteville Town Center.
The highlight of the evening was the Cajun Mardi Gras fare crafted by eight area chefs:
■ Bill Lyle, The Summit Club, Tulsa;
■ Chrissy Sanderson, Mockingbird Kitchen, Fayetteville;
■ Anne Carroll, private chef;
■ Micah Spears-Blackman, Early Bird Catering, Fayetteville;
■ Sarah Chase, private chef;
■ Justus Moll, Mount Sequoyah, Fayetteville;
■ John Brooks, Soul Men of the High South; and
■ Maudie Schmitt, Cafe Rue Orleans, Fayetteville.
The group’s main focus is senior hunger and food challenges, and it has helped support other nonprofit organizations, such as Meals on Wheels, Faith in Action, 7 Hills Homeless Center, veterans’ groups and area women’s shelters.
For more event photos — nwadg.com/photos/society.