Becky Gillette – For the seventh year, local women came together to dress up in goddess costumes, eat, drink, dance and pray while raising money for the Merlin Foundation’s Grandma’s House in Green Forest that provides a safe environment for helping abused children from Carroll and Madison counties.
“We thank all who donated money and items for the raffle, and bought tickets for themselves and others,” gala organizer Valerie Damon said. “The generosity that happened this year was over the top and because of that we were able to send $5,496 to the Merlin Foundation.”
About 200 women attended the event April 12 at the Basin Park Ballroom. The mission statement for the Goddess Gala is “an all-woman bonding, feasting, dancing celebration of the sisterhood with blessings for the food, water, children, goddesses and seeds.”
Damon describes the event as “a spiritual dinner theater” that includes different religions. There was a blessing of the food by Lisa Dawn, a blessing of the children by Rebecca Babbs, a blessing of the goddesses by Margo Pirkle, a blessing of the water by Gigi Cottrell and a blessing of the seeds by Marcie Brewster.
“It is an incredible bonding of the sisterhood,” Damon said. “The love that pours out of the event is inspiring. The costumes are incredible, and women of all ages have a great time sharing a wonderful time together while doing something important to help the most vulnerable children in our community.”
People might like to think child abuse is uncommon in Northwest Arkansas, but this past year Carroll County had 120 Priority One reports of child abuse – the most serious offenses – and Madison County had 75. There were 62 children served by Grandma’s House from Carroll County and 26 from Madison County.
“We only respond to Priority One reports sent by the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division,” said Dr. Merlin Leach, chair of the Merlin Foundation. “These are the most severe cases. Most, if found true, will result in a felony.”
Leach said the Goddess Gala is the largest fundraiser of the year for Grandma’s House. “Personally and on behalf of the directors, staff and the children, I thank Valerie and her fantastic make-it-happen crew and those who gave their time and donations. Without you all we couldn’t do what we do.”
Leach said Carroll and Madison counties have a child abuse multidisciplinary team authorized and monitored by the state. The team consists of the prosecutor, the Arkansas State Police (ASP), local law enforcement (LLE), the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS), and a mental health professional. Also on the team from Grandma’s House are a child forensic interviewer, a child advocate and a coordinator.
“In these two counties, the coordinator is Michelle Steiner, executive director of Grandma’s House,” Leach said. “From the time the call is accepted by the Child Abuse Hot Line until it is closed, it is discussed and monitored every three weeks by the team. At any time ASP, LLE, DHS or the prosecutor can refer the child to Grandma’s House for services and care. No Priority One child is left without constant monitoring and care in Carroll County.”
“It has been fun watching the gala evolve over the years,” Steiner said. “We appreciate the work, time and care which is put into this event and the support to provide services to local child abuse victims.”
In addition to Damon, other key organizers of the event are Lani Ballance, who coordinates the audio visual technical support, MC Sarah Barne and Nora Patterson Viola, who donated her handmade sweater art clothing for the raffle and auction, and also ran both of those activities.
Viola went with Damon to present the check from the all-volunteer event to Leach.
“I was so moved by seeing Grandma’s House and the outstanding work Merlin is doing for the cause, which is helping innocent children who have had to endure cruel and vile actions,” Viola said. “The Merlin Foundation provides them with that voice so justice can be served. Valerie is a dear friend of mine and when she approached me three years ago to be a part of a fundraiser that brings women together to enjoy a wonderful evening and also raises money for these children, I was happy to help. It is a cause dear to my heart.”
Damon said that raising so much money wouldn’t be possible without Elise Roenigk, owner of the Basin Park Hotel, donating the space for the event.
“Thanks to Susan Dickson and all the other staff at the Basin Park Hotel,” Damon said. “Everyone was over the top helpful.”
Music that fueled the dancing was provided by Melissa Carper, Rebecca Patek and Rocky Steen-Rolfzen.
Plans are already underway for the Goddess Gala 2017.
“We will meet for a pow-wow to fine tune it even more for next year,” Damon said. “We have some great ideas to make it even better.”