The Sentinel-Record - HER - Hot Springs
Spotlight On: Our Promise
Tailgate celebrates life, spirit of giving
Tailgate celebration aims to honor survivors, remember those who have fought disease and promote community service.
What started as a way to raise much-needed funds to help local cancer patients has turned into an annual fall celebration to honor survivors, remember those who have fought the disease, and promote community service.
The Fourth Annual Razor “Backing” Our Promise Tailgate will be held on Nov. 8 at the Culinary District, and will feature music by The Gable Bradley Band, barbecue by Randy Hill and Southern Krunk BBQ, a silent auction and activities for the entire family.
And as much as it is about fun, Stacey Webb Pierce, executive director for Our Promise, said it's much more than that.
“When I got hired on in 2011, Our Promise was really struggling,” she said. “We were looking for a way to help provide gas cards to patients and since summer had already wrapped up and we were in to Razorback Football Season we thought a tailgate would be an excellent way to get Our Promise out there in the community.
“That year, we held it at the Transportation Depot and raised $15,000. It was a huge success.”
The event has since moved to the Culi- nary District, considering last year's record attendance of around 400 people, a number Pierce said is sure to increase this year.
This year will also mark the third year for the Young Men of Distinction, a program Pierce said is similar to the Debutantes, involving 21 10th-, 11th- and 12th-grade boys from three school districts in Garland County. The tailgate concludes their year of service working to promote Our Promise and complete community service hours at a pinning ceremony with pins donated by Lauray's The Diamond Center.
“These young men are truly special in the community,” Pierce said. “We knew that we needed a way to engage young men in the community with cancer research and awareness, because there's just so much for young ladies in the community.”
The young men are asked to complete between 20 and 25 community service hours, although Pierce said they always exceed this requirement. Everything from cleaning up and landscaping the Memorial Garden at CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs to learning about different organizations and speaking with cancer survivors keep these individuals active in the community.
“People contact me all the time asking if the boys can come do this or that and they're always so willing to help out,” she said. “This year, along with the Debs, they cleaned up the two cancer lodges that St. Vincent owns to provide a place to stay for out-of-town cancer patients and their families and it's been their job to go into the community to find silent auction items for
the tailgate. They've each taken their interests and made baskets for the event by going to businesses and explaining the mission of Our Promise to get these items donated.”
In learning more about cancer awareness in the community, these young men have met with individual survivors in the community who have gone on to make a difference in the lives of others — one of which will be honored at the tailgate.
“We started giving the Karen Rutledge Survivor Award to individuals displaying an interest in community service and helping others through the treatment process,” Pierce said. “In the beginning days of Our Promise, she would bring me a check every month without fail to go toward purchasing gas cards for patients. After she passed away we created this award to give to those who have given back having battled cancer.
“Judge David Switzer has been the epitome of what this award is all about.”
Switzer was diagnosed in March 2013 with an aggressive form of lung cancer and, since being in remission, has made it a point to reach out to others in the community currently fighting cancer.
“He has spoken to our young men on many occasions,” Pierce said. “He was the signature speaker at the Shine a Light on Lung Cancer event and he often visits the cancer center to sit with patients throughout the process.
“Any time we've contacted him, he's been willing to step up and help, and his wife was one of our original board members. He's definitely who Karen Rutledge would want to have this award.”
Our Promise will also recognize Marge Mitchell this year by naming the current Community Service Award after her and presenting it to her family.
“Marge — there's so much to say about her,” Pierce said. “She was on our original board and everyone knew her.
“No matter what the fundraiser, people couldn't say `no' to her when she sold tickets or took donations. Through her friendship with the Clinton family, they made a donation to our organization and President Clinton even mentioned her commitment to Our Promise in his eulogy. She was a treasure and we're happy to present the first Marge Mitchell Community Service Award to her family.”
When the event started in 2011, tickets were $25 — the price of the gas cards given to patients. This year, tickets are $50 for adults, $15 for children and free for children 4 years old and younger.
“This is a family event and it has been from the beginning,” she said. “We want everyone to wear their jeans and Razorback shirts and enjoy a day together celebrating our survivors and remembering those no longer with us.”