McBride Brings Big Bucks for Mercy
by January 1, 2009 12:00 am 73 views
A pro bono performance by country star Martina McBride helped raise a record amount at the 15th Mercy Health Foundation Charity Ball on Dec. 6.
McBride, who donated her services to the event, was the first entertainer in the history of the Mercy Charity Ball. Gross proceeds for the event, where tickets sold for $200 a pop, were just more than $450,000 according to Clark Ellison, Mercy’s chief development officer.
“We couldn’t have been more blessed to have Martina McBride support our mission,” Ellison said. “She helped the Charity Ball hit the high note.”
Attendees included Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe and Third District Rep. John Boozman. The top-fetching item during the live auction run by Richard Clifton of Metropolitan National Bank brought more than $10,000 for a trip for two to the 2009 Presidential Inauguration as Boozman’s guests.
Fellow noted fundraiser Dick Trammel then raised $45,000 in 10 minutes to buy two VeinViewers, which allow nurses to easily find the best vein to start an IV and will be a benefit in pediatrics and emergent care.
Top sponsors, whose pledges helped boost the final total, included New Creature, Sony Music, Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott and wife Linda Scott, General Mills, Don and Jo Soderquist, The Morning News, Celebrate Arkansas, 3W Magazine and Highlands Oncology Group.