Hospice launches foundation

Razorbacks induct honorees

No matter how new and shiny buildings start out, we all know they must be regularly maintained over the years or minor repairs become major overhauls. Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale launched the Circle of Life Hospice Foundation to address just such circumstances. The group marked the foundation launch with an afternoon reception Aug. 29 at the Earlene Howard Hospice Home with a few dozen Circle of Life Hospice supporters, volunteers and staff members

John Lea, foundation board chairman, told those gathered the foundation will help Circle of Life prepare for financial eventualities, such as maintenance for the group’s hospice homes in Benton and Washington counties. He said the endowment will help prevent the necessity of “having to raise emergency funds when the roof needs to be replaced.”

The hospice organization served some 1,100 patients and their families in 2012. Along with patient medical care, patients’ families have access to grief and bereavement support in the form of workshops, groups, classes and individual sessions with specialized support for children.

The nonprofit group will replace its traditional Voyage Gala with two new events, both slated to be held at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art on Nov. 16. Art of Hospice is limited to 230 guests and will include a multi-course dinner in the museum’s great hall. Rock the Bridge will feature desserts, drinks and casino-style games.

Those helping hospice launch the new foundation included John Lea, Pat Walker, Ginger Howard Graham, Meredith and Patrick Woodruff, Rhonda Woodruff, Joy Drummonds, Stuart Epley, Jim Blount, Euva Phillips, Kathy Jaycox, Sarah Kendall and Mike Moss.

The University of Arkansas’ Sports Hall of Honor Weekend kicked off, so to speak, with a VIP reception on Aug. 29 at the Northwest Arkansas Holiday Inn in Springdale.

The 2013 class of inductees were joined at the reception by their families, former honorees, university administration and Razorback Foundation supporters.

Established in 1988, the Hall of Honor has inducted some 200 former Razorback athletes. Honorees are selected by a vote of the university’s letter winners, known as the A Club.

The 2013 class inducted in the University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame are: Barry Foster, football Dickey Morton, football Charles Balentine, men’s basketball Calvin Davis, men’s track and field Greg D’Alexander, baseball Cheryl McArton Ward, women’s swimming Ethel Hackett, women’s track and field Buddy Sutton, football Don Christian, football

STAFF PHOTOS CARIN SCHOPPMEYER John Lea, chairman of the Circle of Life Hospice Foundation board of directors, from right, Patrick and Meredith Woodruff, with their children Mattie and Cole and Rhonda Woodruff gather at the formal launch of the foundation on Aug. 29 at the Earlene...

Cheryl Rogers, from left, Pat Walker, Kathy Jaycox and Joy Drummonds gather in support of the Circle of Life Hospice Foundation on Aug. 29.

Cheryl McArton Ward, UA Sports Hall of Honor inductee, second from right, is joined by her daughter Rachel Ward, from right, and her parents Elizabeth and Ron McArton at the VIP reception on Aug. 29.

Yvette Wilkins, from left, Bev Lewis and Melody Sye O’Reilly visit at the Razorback Foundation reception on Aug. 29.

Mel Redman, from left, Jim von Gremp, UA trustee, Charles Balentine, Hall of Honor inductee, and Rodney Redman enjoy the VIP reception on Aug. 29 at the Northwest Arkansas Holiday Inn in Springdale.

Beth Clem, from left, Mary McKinney, Circle of Life Hospice executive director, and Ginger Howard Graham visit at the group’s launch of its foundation.

Suzanne Ward, from left, Mike Moss, Sarah Kendall and Jim Blount visit at the Circle of Life Foundation launch.

Buddy Sutton, from left, Charles Balentine and Don Christian, Sports Hall of Honor inductees, stand for a photo on Aug. 29.