The Northwest Arkansas Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals didn’t let a pandemic cause a lapse in its annual celebration to laud local philanthropists. Instead, it took the National Philanthropy Day celebration from luncheon to livestream on Nov. 18.
Kyle Kellams, event master of ceremonies, told viewers: “The Association of Fundraising Professionals began celebrating individuals and organizations in our community in 2002. Honorees are nominated by community members, many of whom are AFP members. Honorees are selected by an anonymous panel of judges who are a diverse mix of community leaders representing the entire region.”
The 2020 National Philanthropy Day Award recipients are:
• Covid-19 Hero — Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, nominated by Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art;
• Lifetime Achievement— The Schmieding Foundation, nominated by Arkansas Children’s Hospital;
• Outstanding Corporation — Unilever, nominated by Mercy Health Foundation Northwest Arkansas;
• Outstanding Philanthropist — Jane Hunt Meade, nominated by The Salvation Army of Northwest Arkansas, Peace at Home Family Shelter, CASA of Northwest Arkansas and Fayetteville Public Education Foundation;
• Special Judges Award — Northwest Arkansas Council, nominated by Mercy Health Northwest Arkansas, Washington Regional Medical Center and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; and
• Youth in Philanthropy Organization — Fayetteville High School Student Council, nominated by the Fayetteville Public Education Foundation.
Since the onset of the pandemic, the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank has provided 2.6 million meals, serving 20,000 households and 60,000 individuals through its school, mobile and pop-up pantries.
Kent Eikenberry, president and CEO, says the group had distributed some 3 million pounds of food through August — more than all of 2019.
Upon accepting the recognition, Eikenberry said (via video): “This is not an award just for the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank. It’s an award for the community in our name … Because of you, someone will eat today.”
The Northwest Arkansas Council was selected for the Special Judges Award for “being a catalyst for regional healthcare collaboration during the pandemic.”
(NWA Democrat-Gazette file photo/J.T. Wampler)
Dr. Daniel Rahn, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences chancellor (from left) speaks during the region’s inaugural health care summit with Marcy Doderer, Arkansas Children’s Hospital president and CEO; Bill Bradley, Washington Regional Medical System president and CEO; Sharif Omar, Northwest Health System CEO; and Eric Pianalto, Mercy Northwest Arkansas president. The Northwest Arkansas Council organized the 2016 summit and is the Association of Fundraising Professionals 2020 Special Judges Award recipient.
(NWA Democrat-Gazette file photo/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Cynthia and Chuy Vasquez (from left), Megan and Ryan Crozier, Sandy and Chris Baumhover and Brenda and Daniel Boone gather at a previous Northwest Arkansas Food Bank Jewels of Giving Gala. The food bank is the AFP Covid-19 Hero Award recipient. This year’s event was live streamed online.
(NWA Democrat-Gazette file photo/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Pearl McElfish, UAMS Northwest Arkansas associate vice chancellor (from left), Mary Ann Scott, Dr. Rick Barr and Gilda Underwood of the Schmieding Foundation gather at a 2017 reception at the Springdale Country Club to introduce Barr as UAMS associate dean for child health and department of pedriatrics chairman. The Schmieding Foundation is the 2020 AFP Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.
(NWA Democrat-Gazette file photo/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Mary and Fred Scarbrough, Arkansas Children’s Foundation president; Mandy Macke, Color of Hope Gala chairwoman; Johnny Mike Walker, gala champion sponsor; and Marcy Doderer, Arkansas Children’s president and CEO and husband Mark welcome guests to the 2019 gala for Arkansas Children’s Northwest. Macke is the AFP 2020 Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser.
(NWA Democrat-Gazette file photo/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, 2018-19 AFP Northwest Arkansas board members, welcome guests to a previous National Philanthropy Day luncheon.
(NWA Democrat-Gazette file photo/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Benjamin Meade and Jane Hunt Meade (from left), Sarah Johnson and Johnelle Hunt gather at a previous Peace at Home Courage Awards Luncheon. Jane Hunt Meade is the AFP 2020 Outstanding Philanthropist.
(NWA Democrat-Gazette file photo/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Sandy Edwards (from left), Clay Bakker, Jill Wagar, Scott Eccleston, Emily Ironside and Ben Huss represent Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art at a previous Bentonville Garden Club holiday auction and luncheon. Ironside is the AFP 2020 Outstanding Fundraising Executive.