Arkansas Children’s Northwest gets $1.1 million closer to $70 million goal

Two recent events in Northwest Arkansas — the annual Color of Hope Gala and the Will Golf for Kids Tournament — combined to raise $1.1 million, putting Arkansas Children’s Northwest closer to its $70 million fundraising goal

Marcy Doderer, CEO of Arkansas Children’s Hospital told Talk Business & Politics, the goal for the two events was $1 million. The $1.1 million puts the total fundraising efforts at $64.5 million, still short of the $70 million goal. Doderer said she’s confident the funds will be raised and she’s grateful for all the support the Northwest project has received today from individual families and corporations.

The Will Golf for Kids Tournament and the Color of Hope Gala pledged last year to raise $5 million over the next five years. For the first two years the total raised is $2.3 million, nearly half of the five year goal.

“Arkansas Children’s has experienced historic philanthropic support for this new facility,” said Trisha Montague, chief administrator for Arkansas Children’s Northwest. “We are grateful to the Will Golf 4 Kids Tournament and Color of Hope Gala committees for their years of dedication to championing children.”

She thanked the chairs for this year’s events, which included Mike Sewell of Market Performance Group and Kyden Reeh of Bayer, who oversaw the golf tournament last week. It drew more than 850 golfers over the two days.

Charles Redfield, vice president of food at Walmart U.S., and his wife Susan were the chairs for the 2017 Color of Hope Gala, which more than 1,600 attended Friday night (Aug. 4) in Rogers. Steuart Walton, director of Wal-Mart Stores, entrepreneur and grandson of Wal-Mart founders Sam and Helen Walton, was the keynote speaker.

“Now is the time for each member of the community to invest in the future of children,” said Fred Scarborough, chief development officer for Arkansas Children’s and president of Arkansas Children’s Foundation. “A gift of $5, $50 or more to Arkansas Children’s Northwest will support the health and wellbeing of children in our state. Make your gift today and together, we will create a healthier tomorrow for children in our region.”

The new hospital is projected to cost $427.7 million in construction, technology, equipment and operating expenses over five years.

Doderer told Talk Business & Politics recently the new hospital in Springdale is set to open in less than six months, and after a tour of the interior she was extremely pleased with the design, which includes many windows to allow for lots of natural light throughout the facility.

The new hospital will provide care to 200,000 children in the region after it opens in mid-January. She said 250 jobs at the facility are in the midst of being filled. She encouraged health professionals and others with a heart for children to apply.