Fund-raiser Showcases Builder and Designers
by June 23, 2003 12:00 am 77 views
An innovative approach to fund raising is pairing St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation with a local developer and area designers. The foundation officially broke ground June 12 on the future site of its Showhouse of Design Home.
Carmen Lehman, owner of C.R. Lehman Properties and foundation board member, is building the 5,400-SF home in Rogers’ Pinnacle Country Club at 12 Fiddlesticks Trail. Seventeen designers from Northwest Arkansas, Fort Smith, Eureka Springs and Tulsa have been selected to design and furnish the home upon its completion, which is scheduled for May of 2004.
Linda Gaston, special events coordinator for the Foundation, said this is the first time a designer home has been used as a fundraising vehicle in Benton County. Lehman has agreed to turn the home over to the foundation for a couple of months once construction is complete. Designers will spend several weeks completing the inside. Then it will be open to the public for about three weeks for tours, luncheons and seminars with proceeds benefiting the foundation.
“Since this is the first year, we’re targeting $50,000 [in donations],” Gaston said, indicating the Foundation hopes to continue the unique fund-raising event.
Lehman, a former St. Mary’s nurse, said the hospital is close to her heart and she’s supportive of the fund-raising campaign for a new facility near Interstate 540 and Perry Road.
“What they are doing with this capital campaign is incredible,” Lehman said.
The Showhouse of Design will be valued at an estimated $800,000 and will be for sale.