Gala goes digital
The Centers’ annual fundraiser livestreamed to donors
Like so many things that had been planned for this year but had a run-in with covid-19, the Evolve Gala, well, evolved.
The largest annual fundraiser for Centers for Youth and Families became an Aug. 1 virtual event that guests paid to livestream. A watch party for a small, select group was hosted by Rick Fleetwood, the event’s 2020 Hero of Hope, and his friend and neighbor, Judy Tenenbaum, at the Club House at the Villas of Chenal in west Little Rock.
Watch partygoers enjoyed adult beverages, a buffet offering a variety of morsels, and the gala program. Featured were remarks by co-chairs Becky and Mark Allison as well as Melissa Dawson, chief executive officer of The Centers. Giving a testament to the transformative programs of the Centers was Travis Harris … onetime client, now youth minister at Central Church of Christ and assistant coach at Southwest High School. Fleetwood, along with past honoree and board member Ellon Cockrill, completed the special appeal for gifts.
Guests participated in a raffle for their favorite live-auction item and were able to vie online for live and silent auction items; the former, hawked by Bo Dottley of Blackmon Auctions, included a sunset Arkansas River dinner cruise for 12; a week at a Greers Ferry Lake home; an original oil painting by Bob Snider; “tequila school” for 10 at Local Lime; a duck hunt and overnight lodge stay; entertainment by a local band and the ubiquitous Costa Rica trips (one of which was claimed by the raffle winner). Also featured was a tribute to Fleetwood — the recipient of a painting by Vickie Hendrix-Siebenmorgen featuring the handprints of four of the Centers’ teenagers.
The high school junior and senior young men who participated in the 2019-2020 Champions of Hope service program hosted by the Centers were also honored. The Champion’s Choice Award was given to Braden Bratcher; the Champions of Hope Difference Maker Award went to John Eichler III; and the Champion of the Year Award was presented to Clark McCarley Jr.
Themed “Sing: A Celebration of Music,” the onscreen evening’s main event was “The Choice,” a contest between local performers named after the show “The Voice.” Dizzy 7 provided accompaniment. The master of ceremonies — LB Crew, Season 16 contestant on NBC’s “The Voice” and native Arkansan — kicked it off with Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” before turning it over to the three “Choice” contestants: Craig Wilson; Bijoux Pighee and Joe Purvis. The livestream audience had the chance to text a vote for their favorite singer, at $10 a vote. Wilson captured the most votes.
The Evolve Gala, which drew $350,000 this year, benefits the Centers’ comprehensive programs.