Charity walks, kids conference and Willie come to NWA

There are plenty of reasons to be thankful for November in Northwest Arkansas, as the region plays host to 5Ks, galas, conferences and concerts.

Champions for Kids Annual Conference
Unilever will present the fourth annual Champions for Kids Conference on Nov. 21 at the Embassy Suites in Rogers.

The conference will be jam-packed with inspiring speakers, workshop presenters and hands-on activities designed to help area organizations learn how to be "Champions for Kids".

Liz Murray, known for going from "Homeless to Harvard," will serve as the keynote speaker. Other presenters will include Jack Sinclair, Walmart Food Executive Vice-President; Joshua Bennet, award-winning spoken word poet; Ted Rubin, Senior Strategy Advisor/Social Media CFK; Dr. Hassan Tetteh, award-winning physician, surgeon and author; and many others.

Several community leaders will be recognized during the National "Torch Awards" presentation. Participants will include a diverse group of area executives, CEOS, non-profit/educational  leaders, bloggers and many others. The VIP Breakfast will begin at 7 a.m., followed by the general session at 8:30 a.m. The event will last throughout the day concluding at 3:30 p.m. 

Individuals interested in attending the conference can register online. For more information, call 479-582-2008.

Jewels of Giving Gala
The fourth annual Jewels of Giving Gala will celebrate the NWA Food Bank's 25th anniversary of serving the community. The black-tie optional gala will include dinner, drinks, dancing, a silent auction and live musical entertainment by the group Ultra Suede.

All proceeds support the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, which serves over 450,000 people annually in Benton, Washington, Madison and Carroll counties through our partnerships with local human service agencies. Its mission is to "nourish the community by feeding hungry people."

The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers. Individual tickets are $100. Corporate tables are $800. To purchase tickets or for more information, call 479-872-8774.

Girls on the Run 5K & 10K
Girls on the Run of Northwest Arkansas, a non-profit prevention program for girls in third through eighth grade, will sponsor its 9th Annual 5K Run/Walk and 10K event on Nov. 23. The run will kick-off in the downtown Bentonville Square.

Both the 5K and 10K are chip-timed races. The 10K will begin at 7 a.m., followed by the 5K at 8 a.m. Both will begin in the town square at the corner of Central and Main Streets.

The group's mission is "to inspire girls to be  joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running." A special post-run celebration will include fun activities for all participants and their supporters.

Pre-registration can be completed online through Nov. 19. Cost is $30 for the 10K and $25 for the 5K. Day-of registration will be $35 for the 10K and $30 for the 5K.

For more information, contact Event Director Sandra Younger at 479-621-1692.

St. Jude Give Thanks. Walk
Northwest Arkansas will join more than 75 communities across the nation in hosting the St. Jude "Give Thanks. Walk" on Nov. 23. The event helps raise funds and awareness for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, which is committed to treating children with life-threatening diseases and cancer.

Participants are encouraged to recruit financial sponsors. Resources are available on the event's website to help individuals and teams fundraise in their community.

The walk will be held at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale. Individuals, families and teams are invited to participate. Registration is free and can be completed online. Individuals or businesses wanting to sponsor a participant can also pledge online.

Participant check-in will begin at 7:30 a.m., with the walk to follow at 9 a.m.



Walton Arts Center presents Willie Nelson and Family
The Walton Arts Center will welcome country music legend, Willie Nelson, in concert on Nov. 26. The sold out event will feature Nelson and his long-time touring band, Nelson and Family, as they perform songs from the artist's six decade-long career.

Known for classics such as "You Were Always on My Mind," and "On the Road Again," the Grammy Award winning musician has released more than 200 albums since beginning his career in the 1950s. He has performed with other country legends including the late Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Ray Charles. Nelson is also known for his songwriting, having penned tunes such as "Crazy," sung by Pasty Cline, and Faron Young's "Hello Walls."

The show will be held in Baum Walker Hall beginning at 7 p.m. For more information, visit the Walton Arts Center website (http://tickets.waltonartscenter.org/single/PSDetail.aspx?psn=9843).