Event shares the Color of Hope — and love of a good martini
by May 7, 2012 7:48 pm 151 views
ROGERS — If the 2012 Color of Hope Gala is as successful as its signature martini is delicious, then Arkansas Children’s Hospital’s Northwest Arkansas fundraiser should continue to climb.
A VIP event was held at Ruth’s Chris Steak House recently (May 4) for those involved in the gala and its daytime companion, the Will Golf 4 Kids golf tournament. The events are slated for the second weekend of August.
Steve and Lori Collins, the first and only chairmen of Color of Hope, are again expecting a capacity crowd of 1,200 at the John Q. Hammons Convention Center for the annual gala. For past events, they’ve donned purple, red, chocolate. This year, they and other donors and guests will bedeck themselves in green.
With that in mind, the 2012 Hopetini (the gala’s signature martini) is also green, made with pear vodka, St. Germaine Elderflower Liqueur, a short spear of cucumber, lemon sour and simple syrup, all served with a splash of Sprite. Samples were served last weekend by the courteous crew at Ruth’s Chris.
Organizers held a closed auction for a 10mm genuine peridot ring accented with a halo of diamonds and set in 14-karat white gold, donated by Romance Diamond Co. Inc. The retail value of the ring was $2,400; guest John Lawrence took it home for his bid of $1,400.
The nonprofit Arkansas Children’s Hospital turned 100 in March and is opening a new 258,000-square-foot south wing in June. With $120 million price tag, it’s the largest construction project in the history of the hospital.