The Arc Mid-South
22nd Annual Awards and Benefit Gala

“Superheroes among Us” was beautiful indeed!
The gala’s theme, “Superheroes Among Us,” was exemplified by the charitable work performed by the night’s honorees: Bill and Nellie Cooper, founders of the Friends of Faith Ministry; businessman J.W. Gibson II and attorney Ruby Wharton.

The Arc Mid-South’s 22nd Annual Awards & Benefit Gala on September 30 drew almost 300 participants and 55 generous sponsors to a fabulous evening at The Guest House at Graceland, raising thousands of dollars for our programs and services. 

"The Gala helps to raise important funds that make possible all of our programs, services, and advocacy education," Executive Director Carlene Leaper said.

“The Arc Mid-South is extremely fortunate to have the talent, creativity, and energy of a cadre of volunteers who manage to pull off an amazing event, year after year.  The benefit gala is our single most important annual fundraiser, and the revenue raised is critical to our budget,” she said. “We simply could not sustain The Arc Mid-South’s good work without the support of our sponsors and the dedicated volunteers who believe in our mission and give hundreds of hours every year to make this event a success.  Many thanks to our generous corporate sponsors and individual donors, as well as those who contributed all of the fantastic live and silent auction items.”

As master of ceremonies, WMC-TV meteorologist Ron Childers conducted the live auction enthusiastically. Before it began, he asked the audience to practice raising, then lowering, their arms. “Look at me, not your husband,” Childers instructed the women bidders. “Husbands know: ‘Happy wife, happy life.’ “ Childers practiced what he preached, noting that his wife Joyce was loose among the auction tables with his credit card.

Live auction items included Southwest Airlines round-trip tickets, a Gibson guitar, four Park Hopper passes for Walt Disney World and a 50” Magnavox Smart TV. The silent auction tables heaved with sports memorabilia, giant Hershey bars, Caribbean resort vacations, gift baskets, and gift certificates for restaurants, beauty treatments, and dance lessons.

The audience heard testimonials from the parents of Arc clients, and enjoyed performances by the Memphis Letter Carrier Band, Arc Angels and Brazilian native Luciana Braymore.

Please click here to view the event photos
Gala 2017 highlights on November 2017 R.S.V.P Magazine page 52.