The sun shone on two Catholic Charities of Arkansas fundraisers Sept. 20-21 after weeks of gloomy rain. A silent auction and cocktail party was held Sept. 20 at McDonald Hall at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock for golfers, their guests and other Catholic Charities supporters. The next day 160 golfers met at the Maumelle Country Club to raise more money for the agency.
The events raised $55,000.
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor opened the celebrations with Sunday Mass at 5:30 p.m. and visited with people at the party until the end of the evening. On Monday he joined the golfers and volunteers for the lunch provided by the Hanson Pipe grillers, and he rode around the course in a golf cart to greet the players.
Food at the cocktail party was provided by Cantina Laredo, the Cathedral of St. Andrew Hospitality Team, Daddy’s Deli, Western Sizzlin’, Glazer Distributors, Premium Refreshment Service and St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center. Andy Pearson was the guest emcee and Cathedral music director Phil Bordeleau provided the music.
More than 150 items were sold during the silent auction, which was organized by Liz Banko. The cocktail sponsor was Dr. Brad Baltz. Cocktail party chairwoman was Connie Phillips.
On Monday morning 15 teams played and in the afternoon another 25 team teed off. The team of Cooper, Overman, Hodges and Tricaro from St. Bernard Medical Center in Jonesboro were the winners of the morning round with a score of 58. The afternoon round was won by Joe Gentry, Tom Browne, Billy Wright and George Toombs with a score of 56. There were a total of five flights with 15 teams winning prizes for their scores, and an additional 20 individuals winning various contest prizes. Overall event chairwoman Alice Dennis coordinated the tournament, which was underwritten by St. Vincent Health System.
All funds raised from the events support Catholic Charities of Arkansas programs. Between July 2008 and June 2009, 7,164 people received 35,492 services.
Golf and auction raise $55,000 for Catholic Charities
