6,000 chocolate pieces, $390,000 later that night
More than 6,000 pieces of chocolate were available for the taking for guests attending the Feb. 11 Chocolate Fantasy Ball. Master of ceremonies Craig O’Neill promised, “If you eat it here, there are no calories.” The fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas was held in the Wally Allen Ballroom of the Statehouse Convention Center.
Servers with trays of chocolate martinis and chocolate-covered strawberries were popular during a reception preceding the ball. Guests could also meet Ronald McDonald and Mac, a “golden-doodle” who serves as “Director of Smiles” at Little Rock’s Ronald McDonald House. A photo booth with funny props provided extra grins.
A program and live auction followed a dinner of Italian stuffed chicken, asiago mashed potatoes and passion fruit cheesecake cones for dessert. A live auction including hunting trips, a trip to Super Bowl LII and a chocolate pearl necklace and earring set raised $83,000.
Guests were introduced to Trevar McVicker and his mother, Pebbles Fowler, who stayed at Ronald McDonald House for 5 ½ weeks while Trevar received treatment. The evening’s honoree was Susie Morgan, who helped raised money for the new Ronald McDonald House and serves on its board of directors and development committee. Carla Gunderman was chairman of the event.
There were 660 attendees, 45 chocolate donors and 300 auction donors, raising more than $390,000 and making this year’s fundraiser the most successful yet, said Paul Henry, communications director for the nonprofit.