Charities to get $190,000 from Celebrity Classic

The Celebrity Classic announced Monday (Nov. 16) it will distribute $190,000 to eight charities, raising to $2.2 million the event has provided to charities since 1992.

Check presentations are planned for 1 p.m., Nov. 20 at the Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House in Fort Smith.

The Celebrity Classic began in 1992  is to raise money for selected local, health-related charities.  With the upcoming check presentations, the Celebrity Classic has now donated over $2.2 million to their designated charities since the Celebrity Classic’s inception in 1992. 

The 15th Annual Celebrity Classic kicked off Oct. 2 with a gala held at the Holiday Inn City Center and sponsored by Zero Mountain.

Celebrities at the event included Ken Hatfield, Gil Gerard, Bret Anthony and Gordon Clapp. Daren and J.R. Dallas are chairs of the 15th Annual Celebrity Classic. The presenting sponsors of the Classic are St. Edward Mercy Medical Center and Sparks Health System. Silent & Live auction items included a guitar autographed by the Rolling Stones, a choice of boats from Brad’s Boat Sales in Alma, and footballs autographed by Darren McFadden and Steve Owens (1969 Heisman Trophy Winner from University of Oklahoma).

Events included the Survivors Challenge and Wellness Walks, golf (at Eagle Crest Country Club in Alma, and Fianna Hills Country Club in Fort Smith), tennis, bowling and a poker tournament.

The 2009 designated charity recipients are: Alzheimer’s Association; Bost, Inc; Helping Hands for Children; the Gregory Kistler Center for Children; the Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House; Making a Difference One Kid at a Time; Make A Wish, and the Good Samaritan Clinic.

The 2009 Event Chairs were Daren and J.R. Dallas, and they credited volunteers and the support from local businesses and individuals for the event success.

“In a recession year, Daren and I were humbled at the level of support that people and businesses gave to the Celebrity Classic. It just goes to show that people helping people in need is a trait that Arkansans and Oklahomans treasure,” J.R. Dallas said in a statement.

Next year’s events are scheduled tentatively for early October 2010.