Dear editor:
The Eleanor Klugh Jackson House staff, volunteers and Board of Directors would like to thank our community for supporting our first formal effort to host a fundraiser for the Jackson House. Our first style show was extremely successful, which will fill our pantry for needy families during the tough summer months when children are out of school. As always with these types of events, they aren't possible without the assistance of many committed and caring organizations, businesses and individuals. We are blessed to have dedicated people who bought the tickets, made donations and offered services.
Firstly we appreciate Fran Kasemeier, whose original idea and music were used as a basis for this, as well as previous, smaller versions of this event. We appreciate Tammy Jones, event coordinator, with special thanks to the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa for partnering with us by hosting our event, Fountain Lake School's EAST Lab teacher, Melody Gilleran, and students Jeremy Hopper and Carle Earnelk for the music, Hot Springs Area Cultural Alliance volunteers, Patsy Ware, manager, J.H. Thrift Store, for kind assistance in obtaining needed items, Sandy Rose for dressing the flowers, and Kristi at Oh Snap Boutique for accessorizing our models and donating the jewelry for the auction as well as volunteering. Many people assisted in ticket sales of which we are so very grateful.
We appreciate our fantastic models Bobby Mattson, Brittany Jones, Chuck Jones, Dylan Patton, Emily Esget, Emily Pratt, Kenita Vanderslice, Liz Sass, Mary Senander, Nicole Jones, Pat Papach, Paul Enderlin, Rhiannon Smith, Robin Adair, Trey Smith. Our committee members Tammy Jones, event planner/chairman, Terri Pilcher, Jenny Pratt, Sonia Parker, Judy Smith, Barbara Gilleran, Stephanie Ocker, Helen Orrell and Suzanne Babbie; they worked many hours to present this event with professional precision. Our wonderful auction emcee Dick Antoine, fashion emcee Diana Hampo, Nora Lawrence with marketing, and featured artist Marcia Jones, The Little Paint Party Art Studio who kept the action going with class, style and art.
And, of course, we are indebted to our very special guest and speaker, Miss Arkansas 2014 Ashton Campbell, who disclosed her father's story of meager beginnings and how this event will give so many people hope and strength to make a difference in their lives, and our honorary guest and benefactor, Dorothy Morris, with the Dorothy Morris Foundation, without which we could not have initiated this adventure.
As is possible, we may have omitted someone. I certainly hope not, but with all of our hearts we appreciate each and every one who took time to give us assistance, guidance and the opportunity to hold this event to meet the most very basic needs of those we serve, the needy families of Hot Springs.
With heartfelt appreciation,
Executive Director Janie Smith
Tammy Jones
Event coordinator and
Thrift Store Too manager
Editorial on 05/20/2015