May 1, 2024 • 44 mins
Join me, Kasie Yokley, and my dear friend Linda Phillips as we take a heartfelt stroll down memory lane, celebrating the Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter's monumental 30th anniversary. Our podcast episode is brimming with stories of compassion, as we underscore the shelter's vital role in nurturing children through crises. Revel in the behind-the-scenes tales of the nonprofit's Kentucky Derby-inspired fundraising extravaganza, resplendent with festive contests and delectable Derby cuisine. We also tease the delights of the Vintner Dinner event, promising an affair to remember with its superb wine selections.
Linda and I dive into the warmth of our community's embrace, discussing the innovative ways our neighbors contribute to the shelter's mission, from joy-sparking lemonade stands to meaningful birthday donations. Experience the anticipation as we set our sights on a $30,000 goal for this year's Derby fundraiser, a sum destined to unlock enriching summer programs for the children. We reflect on the poignancy of "sweat equity" in philanthropy and the profound impact that personal involvement has on the lives of these precious young ones at Hope Academy.
As we wrap up this episode, we honor the dedication of volunteers who've become the backbone of our support system. Linda and I extend our deepest gratitude to you, our listeners, for joining our cause and helping to weave a brighter future for the children of Northwest Arkansas.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
Hey everyone, I'm Casey Yokeleave.
Welcome to the 3W podcast,which stands for the who, what,
where of Northwest Arkansas.
I have one of my dear friendsand longtime friends with me,
linda Phillips.
Thank you for being here today.
Thank you for having me.
Linda and I have met severaldifferent places throughout the
journey in 3w, but most recentlyagain on her second round trip
(00:29):
tour.
She is back in the north swissarkansas children's shelter.
So, yay, yes, okay, excited.
But let's talk about how we met.
Do you remember how we metyears ago?
Uh, it's been a long time.
So 3w is 16 years old, so wewould have met in.
We started it in 2008.
Okay, I think so.
(00:50):
Do you remember?
I can remember meeting you?
I met you before 3W.
Actually, I was at anothermagazine.
That's where I met you.
And I was at the hospital or atMercy Hospital, and you were
doing what was the home tour,the showcase home thing?
Oh my god you were doing.
That's how I met you, okay yeah, I didn't remember that.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Yes, yeah, what was that thing?
Speaker 1 (01:13):
it was the um it's like a home and different
designers uh design it.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Yes.
So we partnered with thebuilder and then he agreed to
build the house and, let usenlist, each room had a
different interior designer.
All worked in the same kind offramework of what the style of
the house is Right, they would,but, designing inside of the
(01:44):
house, furnish it.
We would sell the furnishings,with a percentage going to the
hospital, and then we turn thegarage into a store yes, and
didn't you have like a program,a magazine program you sold or
something?
Speaker 1 (01:59):
yes, okay, yeah, yes, that's how I met.
You was through that and thenthat went away.
I'm left to go and look, yeah,some things.
So that was a long time ago, inthe early 2000s, because I
moved.
Well, I had to be between 06and 08 because that was my two
year window that I moved herebefore 3W, yeah, so, yeah,
that's when I met.
It was still in the oldhospital downtown, yes, downtown
(02:26):
.
Yes, the moon, saint mary's,right, yes, which I was very
confused about, because thenmercy opened and I'm like what,
what are we calling all thesethings?
Um, and then we started 3w andthen we went after you for
advertising.
Yum, and you've been a win at alater.
Guys, yes, we've been acheerleader with you for, or
you've been a cheerleader of 3Wsfor, since we started.
Our first magazine was in 09.
So, yeah, we this is why youare with me on the podcast, so I
(02:50):
can have a friend and acheerleader and just make it as
organic as possible.
I love it.
Oh, thank you.
Yeah, okay.
So then you were at Mercy for afew years.
Well, you were there a longtime.
But with our relationship youwere at mercy for a few years
and we started or you started,or you and clark started mercy's
women with a mission givingsociety, okay, and then we're
(03:15):
trying I know, hang with me here, people and then you jump to
the children's shelter.
Yes, right, and you've kind ofkind of ish been there ever
since.
Yes, right, so let's talk aboutthe shelter a little bit Like
talk about you have a biganniversary yes, 30 years the
shelter's been in operation.
And how long have you been inthe current brand new?
I still say it's brand new,even though it feels like it is,
(03:37):
but it still feels brand new.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
We've been there 12, going on 13 years Okay.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
That's a long time and that is an amazing facility.
Yes, you have to.
The state gives you x amount ofdollars Small x A very small x
a year, like less than 20percent of operating revenues.
Yes, I think, and your job isto raise the other 75, 80
percent every year.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
And what are we looking?
Speaker 1 (04:03):
at.
Do you financially yes,financially like?
How important is it fornorthwest arkansas to step up
and support the northwestarkansas children's shelter for
sure I think if you think aboutum what it takes.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
So the overall budget is about a little over $5.2
million.
So the state pays per child pernight that they stay in the
shelter.
There are four other includingthe shelter.
There's four in the state thatprovide the emergency placement
and, as we know, northwestArkansas is unique.
(04:42):
We have great community support.
The other shelters in the statereally operate around what that
state funding is.
So the kids come there, theyhave a bed to sleep in and they
get three meals a day.
But ours goes above and beyondRight and we choose to not do
that.
So we have an on-site educationprogram.
So the kids come, they're superscared, they've just gotten
(05:04):
removed from their home.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
Which that funnels through Bentonville Public?
Yeah, right, yes, yes.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
So our school is kind of a satellite campus, but the
kids don't have to be the newkid in school.
All of the staff is trained intrauma-focused care, so we know
what the kids need in order tothrive.
So it's a safe setting.
They're comfortable.
Then we let them be kids Right,so we have all the fun
(05:33):
activities that they can.
Speaker 1 (05:35):
But it's even bigger.
It's bigger than that it is.
They walk through the doorscared with literally nothing
and they are assessed right away.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
yes, right like medical, dental, emotional,
social everything that they need, which is so important not that
, um, it's important to have astop.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
a stop there versus and I'm not trying to slam
foster care and right, we haveto have every avenue to help
children, but I think the firststop is so critical at the
children's shelter, instead ofwaiting in a DHS office, because
you can assess if a child hasbeen so severely neglected like
(06:14):
living in a doghouse person,never been experienced to a
toothbrush, and yet they're fiveyears old we can't just go
place them in a home.
They need to be assessed at thechildren's shelter and work
through the therapy.
I feel it's a 45 day stay, butI could be totally making that
up, that could be old numbersbecause I tend to make things up
, um, but you all can workmiracles in those 45 days, and I
(06:39):
because of the assessment.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
Yes, I agree, I think the foster placement has, if
it's um a need, but I don't knowhow you could train foster
families to do everything thatour staff is trained to do.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
Right, because they're just normal people.
They don't have that and I putmyself in the normal person
category.
Well, I'm sure everybody couldsay differently, but I don't
have that training.
I have zero training, exceptthat I'm a mom of two boys and
nobody trained me Right.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
That don't, don't, they didn't come them, assess
anything that they need.
And again you take a kid to afoster family and say but
they've got five appointmentsthis week that they need to go
to the dentist, to the doctorand therapy or whatever.
We can do all of that, collectall their educational records,
if there are records to collect.
(07:46):
So we're really building thiswhole package that then can be
handed off to a foster familyand say here's what we know and
here's the tools you need tohelp this kid be successful.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
And that's what we need.
Is we?
This child has been dealt ahorrible hand Right and we need
to set them up for success, andI feel like that's what the
children's shelter does, or atleast our children's shelter
does for sure.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
yes, and I think, yeah, doing that, the the reason
the budget is bigger thanprobably other shelters is we go
that step above what's requiredof us.
Um, and again, it's yes,meeting that immediate need, but
it's also just letting them bea kid, be a kid have a birthday,
have a cake.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Yes, some of these children have never had a cake,
yeah, which is?
It's just very sad it is, butit's a beautiful place.
I will say I toured the oldplace.
Um, side note, linda made metour the place when I was seven
months pregnant with my first.
That was awesome on her partand I left crying, but not
(08:52):
because it's a doom and gloomplace, but because it has to be
there.
You assign it has to be there.
I look for the day that you allare out of business, a hundred
percent.
We have no abused and neglectedchildren, right.
But it is amazing what you alldo and I've talked about this
(09:12):
before.
Everyone has to know theirspace, right?
I'm not a boots on the groundperson, so I'm not going to be
in there doing that, but I candot, connect and hug for you.
And so that brings us to theShelter's 30th anniversary and
you will have lots of excitingthings planned this year.
I feel like, yes, very excited.
Which, coming up around thecorner, is the Kentucky Derby
(09:35):
event taking place the firstSaturday of May, may 4th Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
And not May the 4th be with you.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
But it could be.
I hope somebody shows up in astar wars themed hat.
That would be absolutelyfantastic.
So tell me about the event.
So last year it was at the rec,I'm sorry.
Last year was at the ledger, Ithink this year it's at the
record.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
Yes, okay, trying to move it around to a different
space and give it a differentfeel, but it is completely
themed around the kentucky derby, so hats and bourbon and tulips
and all the ponies yes, okay,uh, so you can take a chance to
bet on the horse that you thinkis gonna win, like a live derby
horse um ish, no, or like youhave, so we'll watch ponies.
(10:19):
Yes, okay, yeah, we'll watch therace, okay, but free race.
You'll be able to choose whichhorse you think will be the one
that wins overall.
Okay, we are doing the hat anda bow tie contest.
Oh, that's fun.
Let's have fun there.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
Is there a crafting station or do I just show up
with like an out of this worldhat?
You have to come prepared.
Speaker 2 (10:42):
Okay, so do all of your hat um ahead of time.
Enhancements ahead of time yes,and then.
So that'll be people's choice.
So once the guests enter, thenthe other guests can vote on
what their favorite is.
Okay, we're bringing back thehershey wall of hope.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
Oh, I do love that that is making a return from the
Starlight Gala.
It is.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
Okay, so tons of fun.
You'll be able to choose a kissoff the wall.
Okay, there are no.
No one will not win.
So you will walk away with abag full of Hershey kisses, or
you'll walk away with a prize.
Speaker 1 (11:21):
So at the very least, I'm walking away with candy.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
Yeah, chocolate um, and this year we are doing a vip
prior to the derby um okay,good, I was not sure if we were
going to get to touch on that.
Good, you're letting the catout of the bag select um
invitees are going to come anddo a bourbon tasting prior to
(11:46):
and these invitees?
Speaker 1 (11:47):
are they um sponsors?
They are at a certain levelthey are.
Are they're very let's see.
Maybe we have room for somebigger and more amazing sponsors
.
Just to get into this, yes.
Speaker 2 (11:59):
Yeah, so we're super excited.
A way to really give back andgive something special to our
longtime partners of the shelter.
Jason Framstad, diana Marshall,alon with Sam's club um, tyler
lair and then sylvia.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
Yes, loss, yes, we'll all be in a chair, honorary
chair, I think right, I mean,she's one of my most favorite
humans yes, we're so excited andthey've all been so gracious.
Speaker 2 (12:29):
they are um year-long advocates for the shelter,
helping make connections, sothey are going to be at the VIP
sipping some bourbon.
Speaker 1 (12:41):
Okay.
Well, that sounds super fun.
Okay, so are we taking up bothsides of the record or just one
side?
Both sides, okay.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
All the games, local restaurants will be providing
food.
Um, all derby inspired andthemed.
And then we have what's derbyfood?
Speaker 1 (12:59):
I've never been, have you been a set menu every year.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
Oh no kidding.
Okay, ask the local restaurantsto put their spend okay on the
official menu.
Um, so yeah, that'll beinteresting, wow.
And then Woodford Reserve isthe preferred bourbon of the
Derby and they will be present.
Speaker 1 (13:17):
Okay.
So when you say WoodfordReserve, I'm sorry that is just
tongue twisting to me.
Yeah, woodford Reserve is thepremier preferred bourbon.
I'm sorry.
Derby Do you mean, like thelegit Kentucky Derby?
Speaker 2 (13:30):
Yes, oh okay, so there is a commemorative bottle
that they put out that you canpurchase, so we will have one of
those in the auction Okay, dowe have a live and silent or
just silent?
Speaker 1 (13:43):
Just live, we have just the silent, okay.
So how many items are we?
There'll be about a hundred.
That's a big assortment.
What's some of our amazingthings that we need to keep an
eye out for?
Okay, the bottle.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
Yes, yeah, yes, the bottle.
I will say.
There is a particular bourbonthat is being tasted during the
VIP.
It's called Baccarat oh and itretails for about $2,000.
And one of those will be Is itin a crystal bottle?
It is from Brands.
Yeah, okay, so that will beavailable in the auction as well
(14:24):
.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
Oh, that is wonderful .
I probably won't be bidding onthat.
I might open the bid hoping toget outbid.
Yes for sure.
Okay, that's fun, yeah, wow.
Well, that's definitely goingto be a can't miss event, yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
So lots of.
We have a couple of computers,some bikes, some nice items.
I think it would be great forgraduation gifts too, for sure,
do you have any experiences?
Speaker 1 (14:48):
on there?
Not yet, not yet, okay, yeah,maybe go get some.
Those are usually my favorite,yeah, but you said a bike.
I think I'm the only human innorthwest arkansas that doesn't
own a bike, so maybe I'll get abike at your event.
There you go, okay, okay, andthen we kind of take the summer
off.
I mean we don't, the shelternever takes anything off.
But right as far asphilanthropy goes, we just kind
(15:10):
of like keep hugging people andkeep making friends and find
doctors, but then we really rampup to.
I feel like it's kind of yournew signature event.
It's just the second year, sowe can't call it annual yet, not
until the third year.
But tell me about this event IfI hadn't read the one pager in
(15:30):
3W.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
Yes, because that would give you a sneak.
It would um peek into it and ithas um who our vintner is this
year.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
But we did um, so it's the non-annual annual yes
wine dinner, our our goal isthat this will be a reoccurring
event every year.
Speaker 2 (15:49):
What are we calling it?
It is called the ventner theventner dinner.
Okay, um.
So last year we were able tobring in um john anthony.
John anthony's wine and it'sjohn trichard is the the ventner
that owns john anthony came in.
We were super pleased with theoutcome.
(16:10):
We did it in the great hall atcrystal bridges 120 people, um.
Who did the food?
Speaker 1 (16:16):
the crystal bridges, crystal bridges, did the chef.
It was fantastic.
So the.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
The whole evening was fantastic.
The vendor um ships in the winethat he's going to serve and
allows the chef to create themenu around that wine.
That's right.
That and again, it was justvery generous to have the
vintner provided all of the wineto us as a donation, to do that
for free, and he flew in and heflew in and so also explain the
(16:44):
whole event to us, or the wholeprocess of this.
Yeah, kind of how his family gotinto the wine business.
So, yes, we are so excited.
We are having Pomez is theevent this year September 7th
and we're lucky that everybodyhad such a great time and the
(17:09):
demand for tickets for the eventhas went up, so we moved it to
11th, which is such a great time, and the demand for tickets for
the event has went up, so wemoved it to 11, which is such a
great problem to have.
It is.
It's great.
Speaker 1 (17:18):
So now we can seat 200 people in there okay, um, so
are we still doing food by 11or the christmas chef?
Speaker 2 (17:25):
okay, he's gonna do that okay, um, yeah, the wine's
been shipped, so he's beentasting the wine.
Is he going to come in prepare?
Speaker 1 (17:34):
yes, as well, it is to give us a tutorial, and
they're all family members.
Speaker 2 (17:39):
It had a family-owned vineyard, um, so a couple of
the family members are going tocome in and be there that
evening to walk the gueststhrough the wines and how it
pairs so any any of these wines?
Speaker 1 (17:52):
can we get them locally?
I know we had a hard timegetting the Truchard wines local
last year, even though they'reamazing, but he had a few lower
end wines that were at Walmart.
Speaker 2 (18:05):
Walmart and Sam's Club.
I don't currently know ifthere's a distributor in
Arkansas with the wines.
Okay, so that you'll have toread in the 3W Magazine next
year.
I'll have to read in that totry and find out where I can get
nice wines, see if they'resourced.
But I do know they do have aclub membership.
Okay, so if you're interestedin it you can go to the Pome's
(18:27):
wine website and then order.
So yes, we have, um, we'regoing to have some really nice
auction items at the wine dinner.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
Oh, we're already working on auction items.
Speaker 2 (18:41):
Yeah, wind they are hard to find um some collector
um adult beverages oh, oh, justa side note.
Speaker 1 (18:51):
Now I will tell you all this event is already sold
out.
However, there's a waiting list, there is a waiting list and
the waiting list is filling upas well.
Yes, correct.
But let me tell you, call andget on that waiting list,
because just watching the liveauction go down last year, you
have these grown older gentlemendying gentlemen dying, laughing
(19:13):
, bidding, throwing each otherunder the bus for these massive
magnum bottles of alcohol, andit was quite a sight to see.
Yes, yeah, yeah, I loved it.
So I would say, for the 30thanniversary of the shelter, that
you all are knocking it out ofthe park because derby is sold
out, but I think we could makeroom if somebody wanted to come
(19:36):
in and be like a giant 10multi-thousand dollar sponsor so
they could get into the vip.
We can to always create anotherlevel, exactly, and then the
wine dinner is sold out.
So that's amazing.
Yes, and then do we haveanything else?
Are we still doing our smalleror casual events?
Speaker 2 (19:54):
The kickball Okay, we'll be in September.
And then we always have theSophia Scott Lemonade Stand.
Speaker 1 (20:03):
At the Walmart.
Hold on, let's not butcher it.
I'm going to butcher it.
The Walmart Northwest ArkansasChampionship presented by P&G
yes, that's quite a title,hashtag NWA Championship.
And they just sent out a pressrelease today that they now have
some fancy GEO productscertified for sustainability,
which is a big deal for theirtournament.
(20:24):
The purse just went up to threemillion, so a $700,000 increase
.
Wow To the winner.
So yay, winner.
But yes, the Sophia Scott LimitHorizon Expanding Horizons
Program, limiting Stand.
Yes At the golf tournament.
So tell us about Sophia'sprogram.
Yes, because it's been aroundfor quite a few years now,
(20:45):
because she's like a freshman orsophomore in college.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
Now I think she's a junior junior yes, okay, but yes
, started with her firstcommunion um, which is in second
grade, everybody.
So she, um, really wanted to dosomething positive and to really
give something back instead ofjust most people, for their kids
(21:08):
, for their community, and getgifts.
And she said I really want todo something that will be
meaningful for other people.
Um, and I had known eric andelda for years and when I worked
, worked with them when I was atthe hospital and they had been
out to tour the shelter.
So they said let's look at someagencies that serve kids.
(21:31):
And Sophia decided this is whenshe heard the kids.
Some kids come to the shelterand have never experienced a
birthday, they've never went tothe movies, they never did the
fun things of being a kid.
She said that's what I want todo, I want to make sure they
have those.
And so she has been partneringwith the shelter ever since and
(21:52):
that's what her program.
Speaker 1 (21:53):
Yeah does that shelter?
It doesn't do the bottom dollar.
It right makes the kid.
It's the extra, the fun yeah,um.
Speaker 2 (22:02):
So yes, that's what is.
So we do the lemonade standevery year.
All of that money goes to fundthat program.
She gets some nice assistancefrom her family, so they have,
they do put in a sweat equity,they do, and they also match
whatever she raises to ensurethat every kid gets that
(22:23):
experience.
Speaker 1 (22:24):
Okay, so, yeah, and it is amazing, lemonade, it is
the best on the course.
And the cups, yeah, you get acup.
It's like what?
$10 a cup, I think.
Speaker 2 (22:33):
And then you come back for refills and it all goes
to ensure that the kids havethat, that fun kid experience.
Speaker 1 (22:40):
So see, there's different ways right to support
the shelter.
It doesn't always just have tobe like a donation through a
letter or attending an event.
You can craft your own.
I know when my oldest was youngI don't know how old he was
like kindergarten, first grade.
I wouldn't ever.
I still try not to let themreceive gifts at birthdays.
Right, he'll be 14 next week,so that doesn't really count.
(23:03):
But when they were younger, I'mlike my kids don't need
anything, right.
So we just sourced gifts forthe shelter and him and his
friend who had the same birthday.
They did a big donation outthere and I know that's common
for you all and you have another.
Those are called third-partyevents, I guess.
And there's another third partyevent happening in April and I
(23:28):
can't remember the date rightthe second 20.
It's like a birthday party forthe shelter at Grubbs Right, for
the kids at the shelter.
But the event will happen atGrubbs, correct, the 26th, maybe
.
I can't really remember thedate it just got put on my
calendar.
So we can double check that yes,was just a flyer for it, but
(23:49):
yes, it is just a localhairstylist in town who wants to
do something for the kids andum, but oh, and she's doing it
in april, because april is childabuse prevention month and the
signature color is blue, yes, sowhere yeah blue?
All your blue, all yeah law, orall month?
Speaker 2 (24:09):
long and I think that I'm glad that she's doing that
because it gives again um peoplean opportunity to give back if
they want to have their kids gobuy what they would want, right,
and they'll go to grubs, havedinner.
Speaker 1 (24:23):
Grubs is going to donate.
I think it's like 20 of all thesales that evening, yeah, and
your child still gets toparticipate in giving back to a
child.
So, in a birthday party fashion.
And I remember this hairstylisther name's rachel bray.
She's great, we were talkingabout it and she was bummed
because she couldn't do it atchristmas and I was like
everyone is stretched so thin atChristmas, like I don't have
(24:47):
the capacity to drop by one moreevent, so just take that event
out of December and make it abirthday party in April, for
this is great idea.
Speaker 2 (24:57):
So yeah, and then those gifts will sustain us at
the shelter to make sure everychild has what they want for
their birthday all year long,all year long, yeah yeah, so
it's, it's a win-win.
Speaker 1 (25:09):
Yes, okay, so what else?
What if we not?
Speaker 2 (25:14):
um, the one thing I forgot to mention at the derby
is oh, let's go back to thederby real quick, is it?
It is our 30th year, so we havea donor who is going to, we, we
do an ask at the event, and sowe're going to try to raise
$30,000.
Oh, that's a great number, andwe have a donor who's going to
match 30.
Oh, fantastic.
(25:34):
So we're super excited aboutthat.
Well, congratulations, yes,that's exciting, really good,
and all of that is going to goto help fund our summer programs
which has a tie to the SophiaScott program?
Speaker 1 (25:50):
yes, isn't it.
They tour around the world orsomething.
Tell us about that yes, theworst.
Speaker 2 (25:56):
Last year was the first year that we did it um,
but realizing it's not just thegoing to the movies and going
out to eat the things fun, kidthings but it's also travel and
expanding horizons beyondnorthwest Arkansas.
So the activities coordinator,olivia, decided she created real
(26:20):
not real passports real likepassports, not real passports,
real like a house sports.
And then we engage thecommunity to help us take the
kids on these experiences todifferent countries.
So one of our volunteers herfamily's from cuba, so she had
all of the information aboutcuba, the food, so it was the
whole experience that they gotto for like a week.
(26:43):
Right, okay, so they choosedifferent destinations.
We had, um, we went to india,so the um group that put that on
.
We actually went to an indianrestaurant.
Speaker 1 (26:55):
They brought saris, the kids got to dress in, it was
and it but that's an amazingexperience, because I've never
even put one of those on right,so but, but it's not just the
food, but it's the culture, thepeople.
Speaker 2 (27:09):
They're opening their horizons and they take that
with them.
Yeah, so it was so interestingto realize we were hoping it
would be impactful, but thenseeing the kids' experiences and
now just their excitement aboutlearning about different people
(27:30):
, different cultures, I lovethat.
Just the desire to travel andknowing that the world is bigger
than us.
Speaker 1 (27:37):
Right, and what's going on, right now right
because I'm sure, that's allthey can see at that moment
exactly, yeah, letting them haveaicks.
So are we going to do thatprogram again this summer?
Speaker 2 (27:47):
We're doing that, and then we're enhancing and adding
on more experiences for thekids.
Okay, so that takes a littleextra funding.
Speaker 1 (27:54):
So that's where we're going to.
So, nwa, if you have any othercountry connections besides USA,
hit up Linda, yeah, she's goingto need you, we, yeah, she's
gonna need you, we would love tohave that.
Okay, and then one last thing Iwant to touch on.
Let's talk about the hopeacademy.
Yes, right, yeah, I mean wetouched on the fact that when a
child is placed with you all,they receive schooling on site
(28:17):
through the bentonville publicschool.
Yes, okay, separate from thatyou all have.
I feel like it's the first.
It is okay, trauma informed andfocused and focused charter
school.
Yeah, now, is it the first inarkansas or first in the country
?
First in arkansas?
Okay, and it is, I don't know,a handful of years old.
Speaker 2 (28:41):
three, it is in its fourth year.
Okay, I was in the middle of afive-year charter, okay, um, and
it really came out of anecessity and a need.
So there um, five, six yearsago yeah, so separate the two.
Yes, yes, okay, the shelter, umhad a separate area that was
(29:03):
designed to serve children thatare birth to age six, and six
years ago there was a law passedfrom the federal government
Family First Act and they reallywanted to make sure that the
kids under the age of six don'tbe are not placed into a
residential setting.
They really wanted them to, whenthey're removed, to go right
(29:24):
into another home a residentialsetting.
They really wanted them to,when they're removed, to go
right into another home, afoster home and that's an ideal
scenario, absolutely, and Ithink the state has been able to
comply with that.
So we had space in the shelterthat we needed to find another
(29:44):
way that we could have apositive impact on the community
and said we've been doingeducation with that trauma focus
for years 25 years.
So it's a shame that the kidsthat need that aren't getting it
just because they don't come tothe shelter Right like ie, a
(30:06):
foster child could be receivingHope Academy, but they weren't
at the time because they weren'tbeing placed in the residential
portion of it.
Right, Okay, yeah.
So they said let's take ourexpertise and let's figure out
how to make this happen.
They went and got the charterfor five years and it's
(30:28):
kindergarten through fourthgrade and it's specialized
training.
So if a child has had incurredany kind of trauma from birth to
whenever, it comes out indifferent forms and fashions,
and a lot of times with kids itcomes out in not the most
appropriate school behavior andit was keeping them from
(30:52):
attending no, not attending, butstaying in the classroom
because it was a disruptivebehavior, absolutely.
Teachers trying to manage the30 other kids in her classroom,
the 30 other kids in herclassroom.
So there was no consistenteducation going on in that
(31:12):
child's life and if it wentbeyond just removed from the
classroom, they got expelled.
The parents had to leave theirwork Disruptive all the way
around, all the way around.
So we said let's see if we canfigure out a way to meet the
child's emotional needs, theirsocial needs, help them
self-regulate when that behaviorstarts to come out, let's help
(31:35):
them control that.
And then they get to remain inthe classroom, right, so they're
not missing all of thateducation.
So they're not missing all ofthat education and the idea
behind it the kindergartenthrough fourth grade is let's
get them in and figure out howmuch time each child needs to
get self-regulated.
That's where they learn copingskills, and then, at fifth grade
(31:58):
, you're ready at that point totransition back into public
school.
Okay, so it's been veryexciting to watch and very
successful.
We've had schools from all overthe country reach out to say,
oh my gosh, what are you guysdoing?
We want to know more about it.
So we're really excited to see,at the end of the fifth year,
(32:21):
what this is going to transforminto.
And you have to apply, yes.
Speaker 1 (32:26):
And you're full right and you have to apply.
Speaker 2 (32:29):
Yes, it is like any other full right and you have a
waiting list constantly, lots ofreferrals.
So if a family moves into thearea they don't know that Alba
Academy exists, they go into oneof the local school systems.
We get so many referrals fromthe public schools saying this
is the setting that your childneeds in order for them to be
successful.
Speaker 1 (32:50):
So okay, we're coming up on the five-year yes in
August, so what does that looklike?
Do you have to reapply we?
Speaker 2 (32:57):
will, and part of so.
We got funding from the WaltonFamily Foundation.
Okay, because this is such aunique opportunity, we went into
it with a five-year charter,with a mindset, knowing that
it's unique and individual.
But what could it turn into?
Right?
So we are re-busting it.
(33:19):
The same-ish and we are nowpart of that grant is to employ
a third party to come in and doan assessment of the program.
Okay, a white paper to saythese parts.
We know that could bereplicated into a public school
(33:39):
setting.
Okay, financially staffing, allthe things that would go into
that.
Here are the components of theprogram that you've established.
We could package this and pushit out nationwide to the other
schools to teach the teachersand the administration of other
public schools.
Here are the pieces that youcan pull into your own program.
(34:01):
So that's what's going on rightnow is gathering all that
information, is it so?
Speaker 1 (34:09):
we can shut the Hope Academy doors and push it out,
or just we're still open in here, but we're also a resource.
Speaker 2 (34:18):
That is what we want somebody to come in and assess
the program and tell us whatthat looks like.
Okay is it?
Let's keep it going.
But you need a bigger spacebecause you need to have um,
because right now it's um 10kids in a classroom, so it's not
enough, right?
Speaker 1 (34:36):
I mean that's great because it's more one-on-one.
Speaker 2 (34:39):
I'm just does that need to be more centrally
located.
We have families driving fromum barmington.
That's far right because wedon't have transportation.
So I think that's what theconsultant is coming in to say.
Here's the key out um successescoming out of the program, and
here's what it would look likein four different models.
(35:01):
Okay, okay, so really we don't.
Yeah, so we're excited to see.
Okay, I think.
And does that conclude At theend of the fifth year?
Speaker 1 (35:12):
Oh, so, yeah, oh so year six is literally just like
hinging, but it's Until we hearwhat the report says.
Speaker 2 (35:20):
I think it will know pieces of it, as they, you know,
discover.
This is hard facts and I thinkhere's something that you could
really take away.
So, yeah, it's going to be justa learning the whole thing.
Speaker 1 (35:34):
I feel like y'all been like building the airplane
while you've been flying it thewhole time on this thing, but in
the best way, right, becauseyou knew it was needed.
It's off the ground, it has awaiting list.
It's off the ground, it has awaiting list, it's documented.
But yeah, we're still in thatinfancy stage, so great.
Speaker 2 (35:53):
Yeah, and they've already had great successes of
the kids coming in the programtransitioning out.
Speaker 1 (35:59):
Yeah, how about those fourth graders that
transitioned up?
Speaker 2 (36:02):
And we've had kids that come in transition after
third grade.
Okay, you know, it's just.
Every child is unique andindividual and it's how.
The other unique part of theprogram is that we have a staff
that, not that is solely focusedon the family.
So what, we're teaching thekids in the classroom and how to
self-regulate, because nobodyteaches you that as a parent.
(36:25):
Okay, so you have that, andthen you have that for the
parent.
Yes, so they can reinforce thatsame information at home, and
it also helps the parent.
Speaker 1 (36:35):
This staff is completely separate from the
shelter, completely separateadministration wise, all the way
down to the very bottom.
We just share um infrastructurefacilities and it's just like a
school year.
Yes, august through may.
Yep, okay, yeah, that'sfantastic.
I know that I was um perplexedwhen you all were launching it
(36:58):
and then even for a while,because I was like I'm so
confused.
There's a non-sign school, andI know I'm not the only confused
human out there and I don'thave children with trauma, right
, and so I don't understand.
But the more it is explained tome, the more I wrap my head
around it.
And not that ADHD compares toanything remotely trauma related
(37:18):
, but, um, my youngest was justdiagnosed with that.
So, and so we're now medicating, but I can see how those
teachers.
The hope academy is it just,it's a whole.
It's boring concept.
Yes, it's just that, and somuch more so if you've got
somebody who knows what to dowith that child and then knows
(37:39):
what to do with the mom and dad,because I'm over here like I
don't know what I'm doing um,it's just so much consistency
across the board and justsupport all the way around to
help the child to be successfulyes, because they are our future
, Exactly Right.
So I had someone in there beforeyou when we were talking about
the CAC, the Children's AdvocacyCenter, and I know you all work
(38:02):
with them right and receivechildren through stuff like that
and probably have children inthe Hope Academy who have been
through that and they're stillin a foster home or in the
family through the Family FirstAct.
So it's just, it's a big 360approach.
Speaker 2 (38:17):
It is, and it is, I think, always been anytime that
I've been involved with theshelter.
It's not diabetes, it's notheart disease, it's not child
abuse.
Isn't something that you talkabout in a dinner party or oh my
gosh, my dad just got diagnosedwith heart disease or whatever.
So many people still don't knowthat the shelter exists and
(38:41):
they still don't know it's inNorthwest Arkansas.
Vinton and Washington Countyare the highest ranking in the
state, always consistent at thetop of child abuse and neglect,
and so I think it is a continualeducation that Because our
streets are paved with gold, sowe can drive around on our our
fancy paved streets, even thoughthey're all under construction
(39:02):
right now.
We can drive around on theneglect, so we don't see it
right and if that's not in yourcircle or in anything that you
engage with on a regular basis,it's easy to just ignore, ignore
but not be informed, right?
I don't think it's anintentional Right, but it is
just, and I will say every timesomebody comes out to see the
(39:25):
shelter, because it is apositive place it is.
It is so positive, reallychange these kids' lives that
they're 100% like how can I help?
How can I help?
Speaker 1 (39:36):
Yeah, Because no child should have to walk
through those doors the doors onthe right, not the doors on the
left.
No child should have to walkthrough those doors Right.
And that's the hardest part, Ithink, as a parent Well, really
as a human but I can, from theparent perspective, because I
can put my kids' faces on thosekids Right, even though I don't,
I've only seen them from adistance, right.
(39:57):
I don't want any misconceptionsof like the public is not
around the children, correct.
But when you tour the rooms andthey're removed and you still
see their things, I'm like thatcould be my son's shoes, you
know, or whatever.
So it puts a very heartstring,it's personal something,
something on it and I'm like, ohmy gosh, these humans are our
(40:20):
future.
How you can't, you can't dothese things to them, right, and
so we have to have the shelter.
It's unfortunate, it has toexist, but it's on, and I know
it's far out, but it's on agreat piece of land for sure,
backs up to a farm, and the farmpeople are on your board and
they're amazing, yeah, and so itis a positive experience and
(40:40):
you have a full-size gym and weare so fortunate in our
gold-paved road area that wehave so many vendors and
community people that show up torally and volunteer and support
you all in the most unique wayspossible, but you still need
help because you've got to raise80% of your operating budget
every year.
So it's all good.
(41:03):
Yes, it takes a village.
It does take a village, andwe're going to finish with this
village part of it.
You are exiting stage right, Iam Real soon.
Yes, and I know the shelter iscrying out there.
I'm very sad, but you're notreally going to leave me, so
it's fine.
No, tell us what you all arelooking for, how to replace you.
(41:25):
Yes, which is impossible, butlet everyone know how they can
try.
Speaker 2 (41:30):
I do feel I'm super fortunate.
I would say it's the best jobor place of employment that I've
been fortunate to be a part offor about 10 and a half years.
But on the flip side, it isfortunate I'm gifted with the
opportunity to retire Just die.
But I think anybody who ispassionate about making a
(41:54):
difference it's exactly what wesaid just you're really changing
these kids lives.
You're giving them theopportunity that we had someone
growing up that made thatdifference in our life.
So if I think, if that's yourpassion and you really want to
come to work every day and knowthat you're making a difference,
(42:16):
and if fundraising's your jam,yes.
Speaker 1 (42:21):
But it's more than fundraising, it's relationship.
You're really cultivatingrelationships that turn into
dollars For sure, right?
You're not just sourcing amillion dollars, you're sourcing
relationships, becauserelationships pay it forward
daily.
Speaker 2 (42:35):
Yes, and that's what I've always thought of how
development works.
I don't ask you to give Right,pay it forward daily, so I think
it's just a matter of sharingthe amazing programs that are
(43:00):
taking place at the shelter andmaking sure everybody in
Northwest Arkansas knows aboutit and if that connects with
them, they're going to getinvolved.
Yes, but yeah, there's a greatstaff, great team out at the
shelter, great leadership, and Ithink if you are looking to
make a shift, then call theshelter.
Yeah, it's going to be greatand you'll get to work with me.
Then hold a shelter.
Speaker 1 (43:19):
Yeah, it's going to be great, and you'll get to work
with me, obviously, which iseven more fun, right?
Exactly, that's the best part.
That's the best part.
Yes, I'm going to steal fromyour former employer, mercy.
Yes, because everyone has time,talent and treasure to give, so
why not give it to the kids?
Yeah, shelter, or To give, sowhy not give it?
Speaker 2 (43:37):
to the kids, yeah.
Or if you just want tovolunteer, yeah, yeah, you
always need volunteers, yeah,and I'm sticking around.
I'm going to stay.
Speaker 1 (43:44):
I know You're not going to leave them high and dry
.
You're definitely here throughthe end of the wine dinner.
Yes, and I'll be volunteeringafter that and joining somebody
to fill your shoes.
Yes, okay, linda, I love you,thank you.
Thank you for joining me, thankyou for making this so much
less painful than it needed tobe, and I appreciate it.
Yes, okay, and all of you outthere, thank you for sticking
(44:05):
with us.
I still don't have a closing,still don't know what I'm doing,
but I appreciate you forhanging around this long and
watching it and just joining the3W Podcast home of the who,
what, where, and we're always
Hey everyone, I'm Casey Yokeleave.
Welcome to the 3W podcast,which stands for the who, what,
where of Northwest Arkansas.
I have one of my dear friendsand longtime friends with me,
linda Phillips.
Thank you for being here today.
Thank you for having me.
Linda and I have met severaldifferent places throughout the
journey in 3w, but most recentlyagain on her second round trip
(00:29):
tour.
She is back in the north swissarkansas children's shelter.
So, yay, yes, okay, excited.
But let's talk about how we met.
Do you remember how we metyears ago?
Uh, it's been a long time.
So 3w is 16 years old, so wewould have met in.
We started it in 2008.
Okay, I think so.
(00:50):
Do you remember?
I can remember meeting you?
I met you before 3W.
Actually, I was at anothermagazine.
That's where I met you.
And I was at the hospital or atMercy Hospital, and you were
doing what was the home tour,the showcase home thing?
Oh my god you were doing.
That's how I met you, okay yeah, I didn't remember that.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Yes, yeah, what was that thing?
Speaker 1 (01:13):
it was the um it's like a home and different
designers uh design it.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Yes.
So we partnered with thebuilder and then he agreed to
build the house and, let usenlist, each room had a
different interior designer.
All worked in the same kind offramework of what the style of
the house is Right, they would,but, designing inside of the
(01:44):
house, furnish it.
We would sell the furnishings,with a percentage going to the
hospital, and then we turn thegarage into a store yes, and
didn't you have like a program,a magazine program you sold or
something?
Speaker 1 (01:59):
yes, okay, yeah, yes, that's how I met.
You was through that and thenthat went away.
I'm left to go and look, yeah,some things.
So that was a long time ago, inthe early 2000s, because I
moved.
Well, I had to be between 06and 08 because that was my two
year window that I moved herebefore 3W, yeah, so, yeah,
that's when I met.
It was still in the oldhospital downtown, yes, downtown
(02:26):
.
Yes, the moon, saint mary's,right, yes, which I was very
confused about, because thenmercy opened and I'm like what,
what are we calling all thesethings?
Um, and then we started 3w andthen we went after you for
advertising.
Yum, and you've been a win at alater.
Guys, yes, we've been acheerleader with you for, or
you've been a cheerleader of 3Wsfor, since we started.
Our first magazine was in 09.
So, yeah, we this is why youare with me on the podcast, so I
(02:50):
can have a friend and acheerleader and just make it as
organic as possible.
I love it.
Oh, thank you.
Yeah, okay.
So then you were at Mercy for afew years.
Well, you were there a longtime.
But with our relationship youwere at mercy for a few years
and we started or you started,or you and clark started mercy's
women with a mission givingsociety, okay, and then we're
(03:15):
trying I know, hang with me here, people and then you jump to
the children's shelter.
Yes, right, and you've kind ofkind of ish been there ever
since.
Yes, right, so let's talk aboutthe shelter a little bit Like
talk about you have a biganniversary yes, 30 years the
shelter's been in operation.
And how long have you been inthe current brand new?
I still say it's brand new,even though it feels like it is,
(03:37):
but it still feels brand new.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
We've been there 12, going on 13 years Okay.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
That's a long time and that is an amazing facility.
Yes, you have to.
The state gives you x amount ofdollars Small x A very small x
a year, like less than 20percent of operating revenues.
Yes, I think, and your job isto raise the other 75, 80
percent every year.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
And what are we looking?
Speaker 1 (04:03):
at.
Do you financially yes,financially like?
How important is it fornorthwest arkansas to step up
and support the northwestarkansas children's shelter for
sure I think if you think aboutum what it takes.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
So the overall budget is about a little over $5.2
million.
So the state pays per child pernight that they stay in the
shelter.
There are four other includingthe shelter.
There's four in the state thatprovide the emergency placement
and, as we know, northwestArkansas is unique.
(04:42):
We have great community support.
The other shelters in the statereally operate around what that
state funding is.
So the kids come there, theyhave a bed to sleep in and they
get three meals a day.
But ours goes above and beyondRight and we choose to not do
that.
So we have an on-site educationprogram.
So the kids come, they're superscared, they've just gotten
(05:04):
removed from their home.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
Which that funnels through Bentonville Public?
Yeah, right, yes, yes.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
So our school is kind of a satellite campus, but the
kids don't have to be the newkid in school.
All of the staff is trained intrauma-focused care, so we know
what the kids need in order tothrive.
So it's a safe setting.
They're comfortable.
Then we let them be kids Right,so we have all the fun
(05:33):
activities that they can.
Speaker 1 (05:35):
But it's even bigger.
It's bigger than that it is.
They walk through the doorscared with literally nothing
and they are assessed right away.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
yes, right like medical, dental, emotional,
social everything that they need, which is so important not that
, um, it's important to have astop.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
a stop there versus and I'm not trying to slam
foster care and right, we haveto have every avenue to help
children, but I think the firststop is so critical at the
children's shelter, instead ofwaiting in a DHS office, because
you can assess if a child hasbeen so severely neglected like
(06:14):
living in a doghouse person,never been experienced to a
toothbrush, and yet they're fiveyears old we can't just go
place them in a home.
They need to be assessed at thechildren's shelter and work
through the therapy.
I feel it's a 45 day stay, butI could be totally making that
up, that could be old numbersbecause I tend to make things up
, um, but you all can workmiracles in those 45 days, and I
(06:39):
because of the assessment.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
Yes, I agree, I think the foster placement has, if
it's um a need, but I don't knowhow you could train foster
families to do everything thatour staff is trained to do.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
Right, because they're just normal people.
They don't have that and I putmyself in the normal person
category.
Well, I'm sure everybody couldsay differently, but I don't
have that training.
I have zero training, exceptthat I'm a mom of two boys and
nobody trained me Right.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
That don't, don't, they didn't come them, assess
anything that they need.
And again you take a kid to afoster family and say but
they've got five appointmentsthis week that they need to go
to the dentist, to the doctorand therapy or whatever.
We can do all of that, collectall their educational records,
if there are records to collect.
(07:46):
So we're really building thiswhole package that then can be
handed off to a foster familyand say here's what we know and
here's the tools you need tohelp this kid be successful.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
And that's what we need.
Is we?
This child has been dealt ahorrible hand Right and we need
to set them up for success, andI feel like that's what the
children's shelter does, or atleast our children's shelter
does for sure.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
yes, and I think, yeah, doing that, the the reason
the budget is bigger thanprobably other shelters is we go
that step above what's requiredof us.
Um, and again, it's yes,meeting that immediate need, but
it's also just letting them bea kid, be a kid have a birthday,
have a cake.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Yes, some of these children have never had a cake,
yeah, which is?
It's just very sad it is, butit's a beautiful place.
I will say I toured the oldplace.
Um, side note, linda made metour the place when I was seven
months pregnant with my first.
That was awesome on her partand I left crying, but not
(08:52):
because it's a doom and gloomplace, but because it has to be
there.
You assign it has to be there.
I look for the day that you allare out of business, a hundred
percent.
We have no abused and neglectedchildren, right.
But it is amazing what you alldo and I've talked about this
(09:12):
before.
Everyone has to know theirspace, right?
I'm not a boots on the groundperson, so I'm not going to be
in there doing that, but I candot, connect and hug for you.
And so that brings us to theShelter's 30th anniversary and
you will have lots of excitingthings planned this year.
I feel like, yes, very excited.
Which, coming up around thecorner, is the Kentucky Derby
(09:35):
event taking place the firstSaturday of May, may 4th Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
And not May the 4th be with you.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
But it could be.
I hope somebody shows up in astar wars themed hat.
That would be absolutelyfantastic.
So tell me about the event.
So last year it was at the rec,I'm sorry.
Last year was at the ledger, Ithink this year it's at the
record.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
Yes, okay, trying to move it around to a different
space and give it a differentfeel, but it is completely
themed around the kentucky derby, so hats and bourbon and tulips
and all the ponies yes, okay,uh, so you can take a chance to
bet on the horse that you thinkis gonna win, like a live derby
horse um ish, no, or like youhave, so we'll watch ponies.
(10:19):
Yes, okay, yeah, we'll watch therace, okay, but free race.
You'll be able to choose whichhorse you think will be the one
that wins overall.
Okay, we are doing the hat anda bow tie contest.
Oh, that's fun.
Let's have fun there.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
Is there a crafting station or do I just show up
with like an out of this worldhat?
You have to come prepared.
Speaker 2 (10:42):
Okay, so do all of your hat um ahead of time.
Enhancements ahead of time yes,and then.
So that'll be people's choice.
So once the guests enter, thenthe other guests can vote on
what their favorite is.
Okay, we're bringing back thehershey wall of hope.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
Oh, I do love that that is making a return from the
Starlight Gala.
It is.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
Okay, so tons of fun.
You'll be able to choose a kissoff the wall.
Okay, there are no.
No one will not win.
So you will walk away with abag full of Hershey kisses, or
you'll walk away with a prize.
Speaker 1 (11:21):
So at the very least, I'm walking away with candy.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
Yeah, chocolate um, and this year we are doing a vip
prior to the derby um okay,good, I was not sure if we were
going to get to touch on that.
Good, you're letting the catout of the bag select um
invitees are going to come anddo a bourbon tasting prior to
(11:46):
and these invitees?
Speaker 1 (11:47):
are they um sponsors?
They are at a certain levelthey are.
Are they're very let's see.
Maybe we have room for somebigger and more amazing sponsors
.
Just to get into this, yes.
Speaker 2 (11:59):
Yeah, so we're super excited.
A way to really give back andgive something special to our
longtime partners of the shelter.
Jason Framstad, diana Marshall,alon with Sam's club um, tyler
lair and then sylvia.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
Yes, loss, yes, we'll all be in a chair, honorary
chair, I think right, I mean,she's one of my most favorite
humans yes, we're so excited andthey've all been so gracious.
Speaker 2 (12:29):
they are um year-long advocates for the shelter,
helping make connections, sothey are going to be at the VIP
sipping some bourbon.
Speaker 1 (12:41):
Okay.
Well, that sounds super fun.
Okay, so are we taking up bothsides of the record or just one
side?
Both sides, okay.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
All the games, local restaurants will be providing
food.
Um, all derby inspired andthemed.
And then we have what's derbyfood?
Speaker 1 (12:59):
I've never been, have you been a set menu every year.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
Oh no kidding.
Okay, ask the local restaurantsto put their spend okay on the
official menu.
Um, so yeah, that'll beinteresting, wow.
And then Woodford Reserve isthe preferred bourbon of the
Derby and they will be present.
Speaker 1 (13:17):
Okay.
So when you say WoodfordReserve, I'm sorry that is just
tongue twisting to me.
Yeah, woodford Reserve is thepremier preferred bourbon.
I'm sorry.
Derby Do you mean, like thelegit Kentucky Derby?
Speaker 2 (13:30):
Yes, oh okay, so there is a commemorative bottle
that they put out that you canpurchase, so we will have one of
those in the auction Okay, dowe have a live and silent or
just silent?
Speaker 1 (13:43):
Just live, we have just the silent, okay.
So how many items are we?
There'll be about a hundred.
That's a big assortment.
What's some of our amazingthings that we need to keep an
eye out for?
Okay, the bottle.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
Yes, yeah, yes, the bottle.
I will say.
There is a particular bourbonthat is being tasted during the
VIP.
It's called Baccarat oh and itretails for about $2,000.
And one of those will be Is itin a crystal bottle?
It is from Brands.
Yeah, okay, so that will beavailable in the auction as well
(14:24):
.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
Oh, that is wonderful .
I probably won't be bidding onthat.
I might open the bid hoping toget outbid.
Yes for sure.
Okay, that's fun, yeah, wow.
Well, that's definitely goingto be a can't miss event, yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
So lots of.
We have a couple of computers,some bikes, some nice items.
I think it would be great forgraduation gifts too, for sure,
do you have any experiences?
Speaker 1 (14:48):
on there?
Not yet, not yet, okay, yeah,maybe go get some.
Those are usually my favorite,yeah, but you said a bike.
I think I'm the only human innorthwest arkansas that doesn't
own a bike, so maybe I'll get abike at your event.
There you go, okay, okay, andthen we kind of take the summer
off.
I mean we don't, the shelternever takes anything off.
But right as far asphilanthropy goes, we just kind
(15:10):
of like keep hugging people andkeep making friends and find
doctors, but then we really rampup to.
I feel like it's kind of yournew signature event.
It's just the second year, sowe can't call it annual yet, not
until the third year.
But tell me about this event IfI hadn't read the one pager in
(15:30):
3W.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
Yes, because that would give you a sneak.
It would um peek into it and ithas um who our vintner is this
year.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
But we did um, so it's the non-annual annual yes
wine dinner, our our goal isthat this will be a reoccurring
event every year.
Speaker 2 (15:49):
What are we calling it?
It is called the ventner theventner dinner.
Okay, um.
So last year we were able tobring in um john anthony.
John anthony's wine and it'sjohn trichard is the the ventner
that owns john anthony came in.
We were super pleased with theoutcome.
(16:10):
We did it in the great hall atcrystal bridges 120 people, um.
Who did the food?
Speaker 1 (16:16):
the crystal bridges, crystal bridges, did the chef.
It was fantastic.
So the.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
The whole evening was fantastic.
The vendor um ships in the winethat he's going to serve and
allows the chef to create themenu around that wine.
That's right.
That and again, it was justvery generous to have the
vintner provided all of the wineto us as a donation, to do that
for free, and he flew in and heflew in and so also explain the
(16:44):
whole event to us, or the wholeprocess of this.
Yeah, kind of how his family gotinto the wine business.
So, yes, we are so excited.
We are having Pomez is theevent this year September 7th
and we're lucky that everybodyhad such a great time and the
(17:09):
demand for tickets for the eventhas went up, so we moved it to
11th, which is such a great time, and the demand for tickets for
the event has went up, so wemoved it to 11, which is such a
great problem to have.
It is.
It's great.
Speaker 1 (17:18):
So now we can seat 200 people in there okay, um, so
are we still doing food by 11or the christmas chef?
Speaker 2 (17:25):
okay, he's gonna do that okay, um, yeah, the wine's
been shipped, so he's beentasting the wine.
Is he going to come in prepare?
Speaker 1 (17:34):
yes, as well, it is to give us a tutorial, and
they're all family members.
Speaker 2 (17:39):
It had a family-owned vineyard, um, so a couple of
the family members are going tocome in and be there that
evening to walk the gueststhrough the wines and how it
pairs so any any of these wines?
Speaker 1 (17:52):
can we get them locally?
I know we had a hard timegetting the Truchard wines local
last year, even though they'reamazing, but he had a few lower
end wines that were at Walmart.
Speaker 2 (18:05):
Walmart and Sam's Club.
I don't currently know ifthere's a distributor in
Arkansas with the wines.
Okay, so that you'll have toread in the 3W Magazine next
year.
I'll have to read in that totry and find out where I can get
nice wines, see if they'resourced.
But I do know they do have aclub membership.
Okay, so if you're interestedin it you can go to the Pome's
(18:27):
wine website and then order.
So yes, we have, um, we'regoing to have some really nice
auction items at the wine dinner.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
Oh, we're already working on auction items.
Speaker 2 (18:41):
Yeah, wind they are hard to find um some collector
um adult beverages oh, oh, justa side note.
Speaker 1 (18:51):
Now I will tell you all this event is already sold
out.
However, there's a waiting list, there is a waiting list and
the waiting list is filling upas well.
Yes, correct.
But let me tell you, call andget on that waiting list,
because just watching the liveauction go down last year, you
have these grown older gentlemendying gentlemen dying, laughing
(19:13):
, bidding, throwing each otherunder the bus for these massive
magnum bottles of alcohol, andit was quite a sight to see.
Yes, yeah, yeah, I loved it.
So I would say, for the 30thanniversary of the shelter, that
you all are knocking it out ofthe park because derby is sold
out, but I think we could makeroom if somebody wanted to come
(19:36):
in and be like a giant 10multi-thousand dollar sponsor so
they could get into the vip.
We can to always create anotherlevel, exactly, and then the
wine dinner is sold out.
So that's amazing.
Yes, and then do we haveanything else?
Are we still doing our smalleror casual events?
Speaker 2 (19:54):
The kickball Okay, we'll be in September.
And then we always have theSophia Scott Lemonade Stand.
Speaker 1 (20:03):
At the Walmart.
Hold on, let's not butcher it.
I'm going to butcher it.
The Walmart Northwest ArkansasChampionship presented by P&G
yes, that's quite a title,hashtag NWA Championship.
And they just sent out a pressrelease today that they now have
some fancy GEO productscertified for sustainability,
which is a big deal for theirtournament.
(20:24):
The purse just went up to threemillion, so a $700,000 increase
.
Wow To the winner.
So yay, winner.
But yes, the Sophia Scott LimitHorizon Expanding Horizons
Program, limiting Stand.
Yes At the golf tournament.
So tell us about Sophia'sprogram.
Yes, because it's been aroundfor quite a few years now,
(20:45):
because she's like a freshman orsophomore in college.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
Now I think she's a junior junior yes, okay, but yes
, started with her firstcommunion um, which is in second
grade, everybody.
So she, um, really wanted to dosomething positive and to really
give something back instead ofjust most people, for their kids
(21:08):
, for their community, and getgifts.
And she said I really want todo something that will be
meaningful for other people.
Um, and I had known eric andelda for years and when I worked
, worked with them when I was atthe hospital and they had been
out to tour the shelter.
So they said let's look at someagencies that serve kids.
(21:31):
And Sophia decided this is whenshe heard the kids.
Some kids come to the shelterand have never experienced a
birthday, they've never went tothe movies, they never did the
fun things of being a kid.
She said that's what I want todo, I want to make sure they
have those.
And so she has been partneringwith the shelter ever since and
(21:52):
that's what her program.
Speaker 1 (21:53):
Yeah does that shelter?
It doesn't do the bottom dollar.
It right makes the kid.
It's the extra, the fun yeah,um.
Speaker 2 (22:02):
So yes, that's what is.
So we do the lemonade standevery year.
All of that money goes to fundthat program.
She gets some nice assistancefrom her family, so they have,
they do put in a sweat equity,they do, and they also match
whatever she raises to ensurethat every kid gets that
(22:23):
experience.
Speaker 1 (22:24):
Okay, so, yeah, and it is amazing, lemonade, it is
the best on the course.
And the cups, yeah, you get acup.
It's like what?
$10 a cup, I think.
Speaker 2 (22:33):
And then you come back for refills and it all goes
to ensure that the kids havethat, that fun kid experience.
Speaker 1 (22:40):
So see, there's different ways right to support
the shelter.
It doesn't always just have tobe like a donation through a
letter or attending an event.
You can craft your own.
I know when my oldest was youngI don't know how old he was
like kindergarten, first grade.
I wouldn't ever.
I still try not to let themreceive gifts at birthdays.
Right, he'll be 14 next week,so that doesn't really count.
(23:03):
But when they were younger, I'mlike my kids don't need
anything, right.
So we just sourced gifts forthe shelter and him and his
friend who had the same birthday.
They did a big donation outthere and I know that's common
for you all and you have another.
Those are called third-partyevents, I guess.
And there's another third partyevent happening in April and I
(23:28):
can't remember the date rightthe second 20.
It's like a birthday party forthe shelter at Grubbs Right, for
the kids at the shelter.
But the event will happen atGrubbs, correct, the 26th, maybe
.
I can't really remember thedate it just got put on my
calendar.
So we can double check that yes,was just a flyer for it, but
(23:49):
yes, it is just a localhairstylist in town who wants to
do something for the kids andum, but oh, and she's doing it
in april, because april is childabuse prevention month and the
signature color is blue, yes, sowhere yeah blue?
All your blue, all yeah law, orall month?
Speaker 2 (24:09):
long and I think that I'm glad that she's doing that
because it gives again um peoplean opportunity to give back if
they want to have their kids gobuy what they would want, right,
and they'll go to grubs, havedinner.
Speaker 1 (24:23):
Grubs is going to donate.
I think it's like 20 of all thesales that evening, yeah, and
your child still gets toparticipate in giving back to a
child.
So, in a birthday party fashion.
And I remember this hairstylisther name's rachel bray.
She's great, we were talkingabout it and she was bummed
because she couldn't do it atchristmas and I was like
everyone is stretched so thin atChristmas, like I don't have
(24:47):
the capacity to drop by one moreevent, so just take that event
out of December and make it abirthday party in April, for
this is great idea.
Speaker 2 (24:57):
So yeah, and then those gifts will sustain us at
the shelter to make sure everychild has what they want for
their birthday all year long,all year long, yeah yeah, so
it's, it's a win-win.
Speaker 1 (25:09):
Yes, okay, so what else?
What if we not?
Speaker 2 (25:14):
um, the one thing I forgot to mention at the derby
is oh, let's go back to thederby real quick, is it?
It is our 30th year, so we havea donor who is going to, we, we
do an ask at the event, and sowe're going to try to raise
$30,000.
Oh, that's a great number, andwe have a donor who's going to
match 30.
Oh, fantastic.
(25:34):
So we're super excited aboutthat.
Well, congratulations, yes,that's exciting, really good,
and all of that is going to goto help fund our summer programs
which has a tie to the SophiaScott program?
Speaker 1 (25:50):
yes, isn't it.
They tour around the world orsomething.
Tell us about that yes, theworst.
Speaker 2 (25:56):
Last year was the first year that we did it um,
but realizing it's not just thegoing to the movies and going
out to eat the things fun, kidthings but it's also travel and
expanding horizons beyondnorthwest Arkansas.
So the activities coordinator,olivia, decided she created real
(26:20):
not real passports real likepassports, not real passports,
real like a house sports.
And then we engage thecommunity to help us take the
kids on these experiences todifferent countries.
So one of our volunteers herfamily's from cuba, so she had
all of the information aboutcuba, the food, so it was the
whole experience that they gotto for like a week.
(26:43):
Right, okay, so they choosedifferent destinations.
We had, um, we went to india,so the um group that put that on
.
We actually went to an indianrestaurant.
Speaker 1 (26:55):
They brought saris, the kids got to dress in, it was
and it but that's an amazingexperience, because I've never
even put one of those on right,so but, but it's not just the
food, but it's the culture, thepeople.
Speaker 2 (27:09):
They're opening their horizons and they take that
with them.
Yeah, so it was so interestingto realize we were hoping it
would be impactful, but thenseeing the kids' experiences and
now just their excitement aboutlearning about different people
(27:30):
, different cultures, I lovethat.
Just the desire to travel andknowing that the world is bigger
than us.
Speaker 1 (27:37):
Right, and what's going on, right now right
because I'm sure, that's allthey can see at that moment
exactly, yeah, letting them haveaicks.
So are we going to do thatprogram again this summer?
Speaker 2 (27:47):
We're doing that, and then we're enhancing and adding
on more experiences for thekids.
Okay, so that takes a littleextra funding.
Speaker 1 (27:54):
So that's where we're going to.
So, nwa, if you have any othercountry connections besides USA,
hit up Linda, yeah, she's goingto need you, we, yeah, she's
gonna need you, we would love tohave that.
Okay, and then one last thing Iwant to touch on.
Let's talk about the hopeacademy.
Yes, right, yeah, I mean wetouched on the fact that when a
child is placed with you all,they receive schooling on site
(28:17):
through the bentonville publicschool.
Yes, okay, separate from thatyou all have.
I feel like it's the first.
It is okay, trauma informed andfocused and focused charter
school.
Yeah, now, is it the first inarkansas or first in the country
?
First in arkansas?
Okay, and it is, I don't know,a handful of years old.
Speaker 2 (28:41):
three, it is in its fourth year.
Okay, I was in the middle of afive-year charter, okay, um, and
it really came out of anecessity and a need.
So there um, five, six yearsago yeah, so separate the two.
Yes, yes, okay, the shelter, umhad a separate area that was
(29:03):
designed to serve children thatare birth to age six, and six
years ago there was a law passedfrom the federal government
Family First Act and they reallywanted to make sure that the
kids under the age of six don'tbe are not placed into a
residential setting.
They really wanted them to, whenthey're removed, to go right
(29:24):
into another home a residentialsetting.
They really wanted them to,when they're removed, to go
right into another home, afoster home and that's an ideal
scenario, absolutely, and Ithink the state has been able to
comply with that.
So we had space in the shelterthat we needed to find another
(29:44):
way that we could have apositive impact on the community
and said we've been doingeducation with that trauma focus
for years 25 years.
So it's a shame that the kidsthat need that aren't getting it
just because they don't come tothe shelter Right like ie, a
(30:06):
foster child could be receivingHope Academy, but they weren't
at the time because they weren'tbeing placed in the residential
portion of it.
Right, Okay, yeah.
So they said let's take ourexpertise and let's figure out
how to make this happen.
They went and got the charterfor five years and it's
(30:28):
kindergarten through fourthgrade and it's specialized
training.
So if a child has had incurredany kind of trauma from birth to
whenever, it comes out indifferent forms and fashions,
and a lot of times with kids itcomes out in not the most
appropriate school behavior andit was keeping them from
(30:52):
attending no, not attending, butstaying in the classroom
because it was a disruptivebehavior, absolutely.
Teachers trying to manage the30 other kids in her classroom,
the 30 other kids in herclassroom.
So there was no consistenteducation going on in that
(31:12):
child's life and if it wentbeyond just removed from the
classroom, they got expelled.
The parents had to leave theirwork Disruptive all the way
around, all the way around.
So we said let's see if we canfigure out a way to meet the
child's emotional needs, theirsocial needs, help them
self-regulate when that behaviorstarts to come out, let's help
(31:35):
them control that.
And then they get to remain inthe classroom, right, so they're
not missing all of thateducation.
So they're not missing all ofthat education and the idea
behind it the kindergartenthrough fourth grade is let's
get them in and figure out howmuch time each child needs to
get self-regulated.
That's where they learn copingskills, and then, at fifth grade
(31:58):
, you're ready at that point totransition back into public
school.
Okay, so it's been veryexciting to watch and very
successful.
We've had schools from all overthe country reach out to say,
oh my gosh, what are you guysdoing?
We want to know more about it.
So we're really excited to see,at the end of the fifth year,
(32:21):
what this is going to transforminto.
And you have to apply, yes.
Speaker 1 (32:26):
And you're full right and you have to apply.
Speaker 2 (32:29):
Yes, it is like any other full right and you have a
waiting list constantly, lots ofreferrals.
So if a family moves into thearea they don't know that Alba
Academy exists, they go into oneof the local school systems.
We get so many referrals fromthe public schools saying this
is the setting that your childneeds in order for them to be
successful.
Speaker 1 (32:50):
So okay, we're coming up on the five-year yes in
August, so what does that looklike?
Do you have to reapply we?
Speaker 2 (32:57):
will, and part of so.
We got funding from the WaltonFamily Foundation.
Okay, because this is such aunique opportunity, we went into
it with a five-year charter,with a mindset, knowing that
it's unique and individual.
But what could it turn into?
Right?
So we are re-busting it.
(33:19):
The same-ish and we are nowpart of that grant is to employ
a third party to come in and doan assessment of the program.
Okay, a white paper to saythese parts.
We know that could bereplicated into a public school
(33:39):
setting.
Okay, financially staffing, allthe things that would go into
that.
Here are the components of theprogram that you've established.
We could package this and pushit out nationwide to the other
schools to teach the teachersand the administration of other
public schools.
Here are the pieces that youcan pull into your own program.
(34:01):
So that's what's going on rightnow is gathering all that
information, is it so?
Speaker 1 (34:09):
we can shut the Hope Academy doors and push it out,
or just we're still open in here, but we're also a resource.
Speaker 2 (34:18):
That is what we want somebody to come in and assess
the program and tell us whatthat looks like.
Okay is it?
Let's keep it going.
But you need a bigger spacebecause you need to have um,
because right now it's um 10kids in a classroom, so it's not
enough, right?
Speaker 1 (34:36):
I mean that's great because it's more one-on-one.
Speaker 2 (34:39):
I'm just does that need to be more centrally
located.
We have families driving fromum barmington.
That's far right because wedon't have transportation.
So I think that's what theconsultant is coming in to say.
Here's the key out um successescoming out of the program, and
here's what it would look likein four different models.
(35:01):
Okay, okay, so really we don't.
Yeah, so we're excited to see.
Okay, I think.
And does that conclude At theend of the fifth year?
Speaker 1 (35:12):
Oh, so, yeah, oh so year six is literally just like
hinging, but it's Until we hearwhat the report says.
Speaker 2 (35:20):
I think it will know pieces of it, as they, you know,
discover.
This is hard facts and I thinkhere's something that you could
really take away.
So, yeah, it's going to be justa learning the whole thing.
Speaker 1 (35:34):
I feel like y'all been like building the airplane
while you've been flying it thewhole time on this thing, but in
the best way, right, becauseyou knew it was needed.
It's off the ground, it has awaiting list.
It's off the ground, it has awaiting list, it's documented.
But yeah, we're still in thatinfancy stage, so great.
Speaker 2 (35:53):
Yeah, and they've already had great successes of
the kids coming in the programtransitioning out.
Speaker 1 (35:59):
Yeah, how about those fourth graders that
transitioned up?
Speaker 2 (36:02):
And we've had kids that come in transition after
third grade.
Okay, you know, it's just.
Every child is unique andindividual and it's how.
The other unique part of theprogram is that we have a staff
that, not that is solely focusedon the family.
So what, we're teaching thekids in the classroom and how to
self-regulate, because nobodyteaches you that as a parent.
(36:25):
Okay, so you have that, andthen you have that for the
parent.
Yes, so they can reinforce thatsame information at home, and
it also helps the parent.
Speaker 1 (36:35):
This staff is completely separate from the
shelter, completely separateadministration wise, all the way
down to the very bottom.
We just share um infrastructurefacilities and it's just like a
school year.
Yes, august through may.
Yep, okay, yeah, that'sfantastic.
I know that I was um perplexedwhen you all were launching it
(36:58):
and then even for a while,because I was like I'm so
confused.
There's a non-sign school, andI know I'm not the only confused
human out there and I don'thave children with trauma, right
, and so I don't understand.
But the more it is explained tome, the more I wrap my head
around it.
And not that ADHD compares toanything remotely trauma related
(37:18):
, but, um, my youngest was justdiagnosed with that.
So, and so we're now medicating, but I can see how those
teachers.
The hope academy is it just,it's a whole.
It's boring concept.
Yes, it's just that, and somuch more so if you've got
somebody who knows what to dowith that child and then knows
(37:39):
what to do with the mom and dad,because I'm over here like I
don't know what I'm doing um,it's just so much consistency
across the board and justsupport all the way around to
help the child to be successfulyes, because they are our future
, Exactly Right.
So I had someone in there beforeyou when we were talking about
the CAC, the Children's AdvocacyCenter, and I know you all work
(38:02):
with them right and receivechildren through stuff like that
and probably have children inthe Hope Academy who have been
through that and they're stillin a foster home or in the
family through the Family FirstAct.
So it's just, it's a big 360approach.
Speaker 2 (38:17):
It is, and it is, I think, always been anytime that
I've been involved with theshelter.
It's not diabetes, it's notheart disease, it's not child
abuse.
Isn't something that you talkabout in a dinner party or oh my
gosh, my dad just got diagnosedwith heart disease or whatever.
So many people still don't knowthat the shelter exists and
(38:41):
they still don't know it's inNorthwest Arkansas.
Vinton and Washington Countyare the highest ranking in the
state, always consistent at thetop of child abuse and neglect,
and so I think it is a continualeducation that Because our
streets are paved with gold, sowe can drive around on our our
fancy paved streets, even thoughthey're all under construction
(39:02):
right now.
We can drive around on theneglect, so we don't see it
right and if that's not in yourcircle or in anything that you
engage with on a regular basis,it's easy to just ignore, ignore
but not be informed, right?
I don't think it's anintentional Right, but it is
just, and I will say every timesomebody comes out to see the
(39:25):
shelter, because it is apositive place it is.
It is so positive, reallychange these kids' lives that
they're 100% like how can I help?
How can I help?
Speaker 1 (39:36):
Yeah, Because no child should have to walk
through those doors the doors onthe right, not the doors on the
left.
No child should have to walkthrough those doors Right.
And that's the hardest part, Ithink, as a parent Well, really
as a human but I can, from theparent perspective, because I
can put my kids' faces on thosekids Right, even though I don't,
I've only seen them from adistance, right.
(39:57):
I don't want any misconceptionsof like the public is not
around the children, correct.
But when you tour the rooms andthey're removed and you still
see their things, I'm like thatcould be my son's shoes, you
know, or whatever.
So it puts a very heartstring,it's personal something,
something on it and I'm like, ohmy gosh, these humans are our
(40:20):
future.
How you can't, you can't dothese things to them, right, and
so we have to have the shelter.
It's unfortunate, it has toexist, but it's on, and I know
it's far out, but it's on agreat piece of land for sure,
backs up to a farm, and the farmpeople are on your board and
they're amazing, yeah, and so itis a positive experience and
(40:40):
you have a full-size gym and weare so fortunate in our
gold-paved road area that wehave so many vendors and
community people that show up torally and volunteer and support
you all in the most unique wayspossible, but you still need
help because you've got to raise80% of your operating budget
every year.
So it's all good.
(41:03):
Yes, it takes a village.
It does take a village, andwe're going to finish with this
village part of it.
You are exiting stage right, Iam Real soon.
Yes, and I know the shelter iscrying out there.
I'm very sad, but you're notreally going to leave me, so
it's fine.
No, tell us what you all arelooking for, how to replace you.
(41:25):
Yes, which is impossible, butlet everyone know how they can
try.
Speaker 2 (41:30):
I do feel I'm super fortunate.
I would say it's the best jobor place of employment that I've
been fortunate to be a part offor about 10 and a half years.
But on the flip side, it isfortunate I'm gifted with the
opportunity to retire Just die.
But I think anybody who ispassionate about making a
(41:54):
difference it's exactly what wesaid just you're really changing
these kids lives.
You're giving them theopportunity that we had someone
growing up that made thatdifference in our life.
So if I think, if that's yourpassion and you really want to
come to work every day and knowthat you're making a difference,
(42:16):
and if fundraising's your jam,yes.
Speaker 1 (42:21):
But it's more than fundraising, it's relationship.
You're really cultivatingrelationships that turn into
dollars For sure, right?
You're not just sourcing amillion dollars, you're sourcing
relationships, becauserelationships pay it forward
daily.
Speaker 2 (42:35):
Yes, and that's what I've always thought of how
development works.
I don't ask you to give Right,pay it forward daily, so I think
it's just a matter of sharingthe amazing programs that are
(43:00):
taking place at the shelter andmaking sure everybody in
Northwest Arkansas knows aboutit and if that connects with
them, they're going to getinvolved.
Yes, but yeah, there's a greatstaff, great team out at the
shelter, great leadership, and Ithink if you are looking to
make a shift, then call theshelter.
Yeah, it's going to be greatand you'll get to work with me.
Then hold a shelter.
Speaker 1 (43:19):
Yeah, it's going to be great, and you'll get to work
with me, obviously, which iseven more fun, right?
Exactly, that's the best part.
That's the best part.
Yes, I'm going to steal fromyour former employer, mercy.
Yes, because everyone has time,talent and treasure to give, so
why not give it to the kids?
Yeah, shelter, or To give, sowhy not give it?
Speaker 2 (43:37):
to the kids, yeah.
Or if you just want tovolunteer, yeah, yeah, you
always need volunteers, yeah,and I'm sticking around.
I'm going to stay.
Speaker 1 (43:44):
I know You're not going to leave them high and dry
.
You're definitely here throughthe end of the wine dinner.
Yes, and I'll be volunteeringafter that and joining somebody
to fill your shoes.
Yes, okay, linda, I love you,thank you.
Thank you for joining me, thankyou for making this so much
less painful than it needed tobe, and I appreciate it.
Yes, okay, and all of you outthere, thank you for sticking
(44:05):
with us.
I still don't have a closing,still don't know what I'm doing,
but I appreciate you forhanging around this long and
watching it and just joining the3W Podcast home of the who,
what, where, and we're always
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