Winter 2008 - Arkansas Children's Hospital

AUXILIARY GROUPSMiracle BallOn a mild winter evening in December, 400 friends andsupporters of Arkansas Children’s Hospital gathered to celebratemiraculous health care. The 2007 Miracle Ball was held inChildren’s Hall on the ACH campus, a rather ordinary lookingmeeting space that, with hard work and imagination, was turnedinto a place of elegance for the special evening.The second annual black-tie event was a great success, thanks,in large measure, to the extraordinary efforts and leadership ofthe event chairs, Cindy and Chip Murphy. Miracle Ball nettedmore than $277,000, which is $100,000 more than last year’s inauguralevent. All funds raised will benefit children served by thechild maltreatment work of Dr. Jerry Jones and his staff.To begin the program, Arkansas Governor Mike Beebewelcomed attendees and thanked them for their volunteerism andgenerosity. Auxiliary member Frances Buchanan announced thatthe Stella Boyle Smith Trust had agreed to meet a challenge presentedby the Auxiliary. This year, the Trust will donate $55,000 toArkansas Children’s Hospital, which will be matched by theAuxiliary. The Trust will also provide gifts of $25,000 each yearfor 2008 and 2009 for a total commitment of $105,000, eachpenny of which will be matched by the Auxiliary, for a total donationof $210,000. Like the proceeds from Miracle Ball, this moneywill benefit children who have been physically or sexually abused.Miracle Ball included both a silent auction, which raised$55,007, and a live auction, which raised $97,200. Cindy Murphyserved as live auction chair, and Tiffany and Daniel Robinsonserved as silent auction chairs.The success of Miracle Ball can also be attributed to the eventsponsors, including Auxiliary partners The Murphy Group andthe Stella Boyle Smith Trust. Presenting sponsors were AmericanAirlines and Mary Healey’s Fine Jewelry, and the premier sponsorof the evening was Glazer’s Distributors of Arkansas. Miracle Ballis a joint project of the ACH Auxiliary and the ACH Foundation.Arrangements were made by Robin Rhoades, director of auxiliaryservices.The third annual Miracle Ball will be held Saturday, Dec. 13,2008. For more information about the event, contact the ACHFoundation at (501) 364-1491.Cindy and Chip Murphy, 2007 Miracle Ball chairs, took thestage to thank attendees for supporting Arkansas Children’sHospital.Many silent and liveauction items were upfor grabs, including aonce-in-a-lifetime opportunityfor guests to takean aerial tour of LittleRock in an Angel Onehelicopter and attend adinner party with 30guests at the home ofCindy and Chip Murphy.Master of ceremoniesCraig O’Neill wore anAngel One flight suitwhile the item was auctioned.This package wasso popular, it actuallysold twice.16