Events back bigs, littles

Garden group sprouts hope

Chase Family Foundation backers donated some 570 bras during the third annual “Help the Girls” benefit Sept. 21 at the Springdale Country Club. The bras were for residents at Peace at Home Family Shelter and the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter.

Kelley Carey and Monica Jannati with Ascendant DX also were on hand collecting tear samples from guests to be used in breast cancer diagnostic research.

The family foundation has helped support other nonprofit organizations, such as Meals on Wheels, Faith in Action, 7 Hills Homeless Center and veterans groups.

Those supporting shelters included Susan Chase and Johnny Bakker, Nita Cooper, Carla Hodges, Erika Haas, Amber Lacewell and Rose Ann Pearce.

The inaugural “Sprouting Hope through Education” benefit luncheon Sept. 28 for Healing Gardens of Northwest Arkansas featured Jennifer Griess Brennan as keynote speaker. Griess, ABC global horticulture correspondent, central region director for Perennial Plant Association and horticulture specialist for Chicago Botanic Gardens, shared trends in gardening with the more than 250 luncheon guests at the Center for Nonprofits at St. Mary’s in Rogers. She said crevice gardens (plants grown in gaps between vertically placed rocks) and perennial grasses are among current trends.

Proceeds from the event will go toward construction of the garden, planned to be open in 2020 behind the Highlands Oncology Group facility on Horsebarn Road in Rogers, just off the Razorback Greenway. The garden will include a labyrinth, waterfall, 2.2 acres of gardens, sculptures, a reflecting pool and a stone-stacking area.

Next up for the group is the Winter Garden Ball, Dec. 9.

Those sprouting hope for

Healing Gardens included Pam Cicioni, Kim Nelson, Debbie Main, Karilea Magee, Diana Eikenberry, Becky Paneitz, Cheryl Sinacore, Misti McGowan and April Collister.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas played host to the annual “Big Event” on Sept. 28 and the inaugural “Big Bash” on Sept. 29, both at the Barn at the Springs in Springdale. The two events brought in some $190,000 for the mentoring organization.

The nonprofit organization presented Bigs of the Year awards at the Big Bash to:

■ Kim and Warren Harper — Big Family.

■ Janna Corsini — Big Sister.

■ Matt Bumgarner — Big Brother.

■ Amaud Mitchell — SiteBased.

Next up will be Bowling for Kids’ Sake Battle of the Banks in early spring 2018.

Those backing bigs and littles at the “Big Event” included Silvia Azrai-Kawas, Leihua and Rob Burns, Jane and William Douglas, Kerry Robinson, Katie Robinson, Amy and Jeff Greer, Laura Comer, Cornell Williams, Quaneshia Goodley, Brooke Allen and Chassidy Hurst.

For more event photos — nwadg.com/photos/society.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER William and Jane Douglas (from left) and Amy and Jeff Greer help support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas at the “Big Event” on Sept. 28 at the Barn at the Springs in Springdale.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Cheryl Sinacore (from left), Misti McGowan and April Collister enjoy “Sprouting Hope.”

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Anna Daily (left) and Lindsay Rutherford, breast cancer researchers, attend “Help the Girls.”

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Nita Cooper (from left), Erika Haas and Carla Hodges volunteer at “Help the Girls.”

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Laura Comer (from left), Silvia Azrai-Kawas, “Big Event” co-host, and Cornell Williams help support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Kim Nelson, “Sprouting Hope” luncheon chairwoman (from left), Rachel Cox, Debbie Main and Karilea Magee gather at the Healing Gardens benefit luncheon Sept. 28 at the Center for Nonprofits at St. Mary’s in Rogers.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Johnny Bakker and Susan Chase welcome guests to “Help the Girls” on Sept. 21 at the Springdale Country Club.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Ryan Schemmel (from left) and Leihua and Rob Burns, “Big Event” co-host, visit at the Big Brothers Big Sister benefit.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER The Rev. Pam Cicioni, Healing Gardens co-founder (left), and Jennifer Griess Brennan, “Sprouting Hope” keynote speaker, attend the luncheon on Sept. 28.