The University of Arkansas Community College at Hope Foundation recently held the annual Beads, Bags, and Bangles Fundraiser for UACCH Kids’ College. This year was a great success with over 300 attending the event at the WPA 1940 Gymnasium in Historic Washington, Arkansas.
Hope’s very own, Dave Almond welcomed guests from the front porch with live music. As guests entered the gym, a large a Hope Floral centerpiece -towered above a large circular table full of great food provided by Amigo Juan’s. The outside wall was lined to the right and left with silent auction items that guests bid on throughout the night while DJ Randy Banks kept some country favorites on the jukebox. Vendors welcomed guests as they visited their booths, while across the way people lined up to exhibit their skills on a mechanical bull. For those wishing to capture the fun and excitement of the evening, a caricature artist was stationed at the foot of the stage and quickly sketched portraits of attendees.
As the night drew to a close, excitement intensified for two remaining activities. First, a drawing was held for two beautiful pieces of jewelry donated by Alexander’s Jewelry of Texarkana. Second, was the celebrity bull riding competition between Chancellor Chris Thomason, Hope Superintendent Bobby Hart, organist Robert Green, Hempstead Hall Director Dolly Henley, Prosecuting Attorney Christi McQueen and Becky Williams, Ivan Smith’s Store manager. The winners were Becky Williams and Robert Green, who had the most monetary donations. They gave a great exhibition on the mechanical bull. The bull riding event alone raised over $1,000 for Kids’ College and the entire evening set a new record of funds raised for UACCH’s summer enrichment program held each summer on the Hope Campus.
A very special thank you to all of the sponsors for the event. Those sponsors include:
