Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Concert supports Circle of Life
Nonprofit cares for patients, families
ADecember to Remember virtual holiday concert benefiting Circle of Life will debut at 2 p.m. Dec. 18 at ADecembertoRemember.org. “We’re taking the covid-19 pandemic very seriously at Circle of Life,” says CEO Catherine Grubbs. “The health of our sponsors, donors, staff and volunteers is of great importance to us. Thus, we made the difficult decision to postpone this year’s gala and scheduled a virtual concert to celebrate the moments we hold closest to our hearts.”
Organizers say Springdale native Jenee Keener Fleenor will reflect on 2020 during the concert performed just for Circle of Life. Jenee is the first female ever nominated for CMA Musician of the Year and won in 2019 and 2020. She’s a member of Blake Shelton’s band and performs regularly in the house band of NBC’s hit show “The Voice.” This event will not be your typical virtual gala but a fun concert ringing in the holidays.
According to a news release, proceeds from A December to Remember will benefit programs such as Meals That Matter, Charity Care and bereavement support. Meals That Matter provides free meals to families and loved ones in the hospice homes. Charity Care ensures that no one is denied care due to financial constraints. And the Center for Grief provides bereavement support to anyone in the community. The programs benefit more than 8,000 patients and family members annually.
Circle of Life is “committed to compassionate end-of-life care for a person’s body, mind, spirit and family when there is no longer a cure. Care teams of physicians, nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains and volunteers provide care in patients’ homes, assisted living facilities or at their hospice homes.”
Dee Vaughn, chief development officer, tells me: “Due to our community’s continuous support, A December to Remember will be available to anyone who wants to watch. All proceeds stay in Northwest Arkansas to benefit hospice patients in our community. The Miller McNeil Woodruff Foundation will match donations to A December to Remember. Join the Willard and Pat Walker Foundation, Walmart and Sam’s Club and give this gift of hospice this year.”
At previous Art of Hospice benefits, Circle of Life has traditionally honored volunteers and other supporters with the presentation of the Pat Walker Commitment to Care Award and the Bernice Young Jones Award.
The Walker Award is presented to “an extraordinary individual who exemplifies the same loving spirit and commitment to care as Mrs. Pat Walker provided to her family, friends and community members.”
The Jones award is presented to a volunteer “who lives out Bernice Young Jones’ dream for our community to grow, live and work peacefully together.”
This week’s photos include some of those honorees.
Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at cschoppmeyer@nwadg.com.