Havana Nights
Junior Auxiliary schedules charity benefit in Benton
Members of the Junior Auxiliary of Saline County hope those looking for a fun night out, as well as a way to help children in the community, will consider attending the JA’s charity benefit this year.
Havana Nights is the theme of the fifth annual charity benefit, sponsored by the local nonprofit organization, which works to make a difference in the lives of children. Patrons are invited to attend the event, set from 7-11 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Benton Event Center, dressed in cocktail attire or their “Havana Best.”
Alicia Parsons of Benton, committee chairwoman, said she “stumbled across” the idea for a Havana Nights-event on the internet.
“I proposed it to the board, and they voted ‘yes’ unanimously,” said Parsons, who is a member of the organization’s executive committee.
“There’s never been anything like this in Saline County,” Parsons said. “This will be a fun night … very colorful … and a way for people to dress up, not particularly formal … but fun. Plus, it is a way to help children right here in Saline County.
“Heidi Freeman [of Bryant] and Hannah Harney [of Bauxite] are my co-chairs, and I could not do it without them,” said Parsons, who has been a JA member for seven years.
“We usually have about 400 in attendance,” Parsons said. “This is our main fundraiser and will fund our projects throughout the year. Our next big project is Blessings, which will be done before spring break.
“We will pack approximately 500 reusable cloth bags with nonperishable food items for children to eat, if needed, while they are away from school that week,” she said. “We do this
three times a year — right before Thanksgiving break, Christmas break and spring break. JA provides approximately 1,500 food bags to children who are at most risk of going hungry during these extended school breaks.”
The upcoming charity event will include food, drinks — alcoholic and nonalcoholic — dancing, casino games for fun, a silent auction, specialty games and a raffle.
“We’re even going to have salsa dancers,” Freeman said. “Two couples will entertain us while we eat from 7-8 p.m.,” she said. “They will also dance periodically during the evening.”
The salsa dancers will include Samantha Jones, Victoria Fender, Isiah Echevarria and Micheal Vasquez.
Harney, who is an artist, said the event’s decor will be colorful.
“We are using cigar boxes for centerpieces,” she said, smiling. “We’re making most of our decorations this year rather than buying them. There will be lots of palms and tropical flowers, even coffee beans. And the chair ties will be colorful as well, tying into this fun theme of Havana Nights.”
Vibrant Occasions of Benton will cater the meal, which will feature a Cuban-inspired menu.
“The caterer will offer small plates rather than one large plate,” Parsons said. “They will set up three stations and offer these main dishes — Pollo en salsa (Cuban chicken), Cuban sandwiches and Ropa Vieja (Cuban shredded beef). They will serve bananas Foster and tres leches cake as desserts.”
DJ Timbo of Timbo Productions of North Little Rock will provide musical entertainment.
Freeman said more than $10,000 worth of items has already been donated for the silent auction.
“Among our biggest items are tickets to major league baseball games,” Freeman said. “We have four box-seat tickets to a Texas Rangers game and two tickets to a Kansas City Royal game. Plus Rosen House Inn in Fort Worth, Texas, has donated a one-night stay, complete with full breakfast and complimentary champagne or wine, and chocolate-covered strawberries.
“We have trips to Branson [Missouri], family packages, date-night packages, his and her packages … gift certificates … just a variety of things,” she said. “Local businesses here in Saline County, as well as in Hot Springs and Little Rock, have been generous with their donations.”
Freeman said items will also be given away as raffle prizes. Raffle tickets are $10 each and available only at the event. Among the raffle items is a Dooney & Bourke bag with a matching wallet, valued at $336 and donated by Dillard’s Department Stores.
The winner of the Kindle Thy Flame Award will be announced during the charity event.
“This award is given to someone in the community … a non-JA member … for their work in the community,” Parsons said. “It is given to someone who does a lot of work for the community but who is not always recognized. Active JA members nominate them, and those nominations are given to our associate and life members, who choose the winner.”
Tickets for the Jan. 26 charity event are $50 per person and may be purchased online atwww.ja saline county. org or www.tinyurl.com/ jacharity benefit. Information is also available on Facebook.
JA is sponsoring a special Facebook promotion through Tuesday. Patrons who purchase a ticket by Tuesday will have their name entered into a drawing; the winner will be refunded their ticket price of $50.
Anna Brimhall of Benton serves as president of the local organization. Other officers include Tanikus Farmer of Bryant, vice president; Melissa Berry of Benton, treasurer; Crystal Shaffer of Benton, corresponding secretary; and Pam Davis of Benton, recording secretary.