Pictured from left to right are Scott Caldwell, Wayne Cranford, Wayne Woods, Donnie Smith, Jim Johnson, Shelby Woods and Archie Schaffer.

SPRINGDALE, Ark. (Nov. 4, 2011) — Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods (CJRW), an independent full-service communications agency, announced Thursday the creation of a $25,000 endowed scholarship to honor the late Don Tyson.

Leaders from CJRW and Tyson attended a check presentation at Pratt Place Inn prior to a celebration of the agency’s 50^th year in business. CJRW, one of the most established communications agencies in the region, was founded in Little Rock on Oct. 15, 1961.

The event also marked the 25^th anniversary of CJRW’s partnership with Tyson Foods Inc.

The Don Tyson Endowed Scholarship for Agricultural Food and Life Sciences Studies will be distributed through the Springdale Public Schools Education Foundation and will go to a graduating Springdale senior who plans to attend the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas.

“A partnership of this length is extremely rare in the consumer products industry,” said Scott Caldwell, vice president for marketing services, “and we’re grateful for the opportunity to honor the late Don Tyson with this endowed scholarship.”

Thursday’s event in Fayetteville included catering by Chartwells, the University of Arkansas’ food service provider; elegant décor by Randal Wright of Eventures; and music by Cherry Brooks, her partner Cal Jackson and Cate Brothers saxophone player David Renko.

The party featured a champagne toast by Wayne Woods, the agency’s chairman and CEO: “Tonight, we give thanks for the gift of words; the beauty of design; the marvels of technology; the power of persuasion; and for chickens, cows, pigs and Razorbacks.”

CJRW’s Northwest Arkansas office, located in Springdale, employs a quarter of the company’s nearly 100 professionals and seeks to continue the legacy started by its founders decades ago.

The agency was established by Wayne Cranford and Jim Johnson in Little Rock in 1961 and quickly became the state’s largest agency. In 1984, Ron Robinson’s name was added to the door, and in 1990, Cranford Johnson Robinson Associates merged with the Woods Brothers Agency, the region’s largest tourism and hospitality agency led by Shelby and Wayne Woods. The merger created Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods.

In 1998, CJRW acquired Blackwood Martin and Associates and established a lasting presence in Northwest Arkansas, serving clients such as Tyson, Kum & Go, Nanomech, Northwest Arkansas Community College, Car-Mart, the Razorback Foundation, FidoPharm and others.

About Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods



Celebrating its 50th anniversary, CJRW is a full-service communications agency with offices in Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas. CJRW also owns Jones Film Video, one of the region’s leading film and video commercial production facilities. The agency is the only U.S.-based affiliate of Burson-Marsteller, a leading global public relations and communications firm with more than 130 offices on six continents. Additionally, CJRW is a member of MAGNET, the Marketing and Advertising Global Network of 40 agencies in 12 countries. For more information, visit www.cjrw.com

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This year’s 5th Annual Equality Ball, benefiting the NWA Center for Equality, was held on Saturday October 15th at the Center for Nonprofits (St Mary’s) in Rogers, AR. The NWA Center for Equality is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and celebrating diversity and equality for all who live, work, and visit our community.

The evening consisted of colorful masquerade costumes, festive attire, and delicious hors d’oeurves by The Main Event Catering Company. Esteemed national guest speaker Sarah Warbelow, Human Rights Campaign State Legislative Director for Arkansas made a special trip from Washington DC to participate in the event. Generous donations allowed them to invite members of local Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA) Student organizations from area schools including Bentonville High School, Northwest Arkansas Community College, Fayetteville High School, Siloam Springs High School, and Farmington.

A great time was had by all, and the NWA Center for Equality wants to extend their sincere gratitude to all those involved who made the event a success. Stay tuned for a “Save the Date” announcement, as planning has already begun for an even bigger event next year!

Image(s) by Ironside Photography, www.ironsidephotography.com

3W Magazine was proud to host the back-to-school “Healthy Kiddos” Recipe Contest! A huge congratulations goes out to Laurie Marshall for her winning recipe that was simple, healthy, and definitely high on the “yummy factor”! Read her comments on her recipe below.

Griffin’s Chicken Salad

One large can white meat chicken (any brand will work)
3-5 Tablespoons Hellman’s mayo with olive oil – more mayo = more creamy!
1/2 cup celery, diced
1/2 cup green onion, diced (white & green parts – it’s all good)
salt & pepper to taste
Corn chips to dip

Put the chicken in a small mixing bowl and use a fork to shred the chunks.
Add the rest of the ingredients and stir. Done!

From Laurie: I’ve found that the canned chicken usually has plenty of flavor without having to add much salt at all. You could throw in some chopped grapes, cashews, diced Granny Smith apples, carrots, sunflower seeds, frozen (thawed) peas… go crazy! Make a “chicken salad bar” for kids and let them add in their favorite treats. We serve ours with corn chips, but of course crackers or pita bread or sandwich bread would work just as well.

Congratulations again to Laurie Marshall on her winning recipe! Healthy Kiddos= Happy Kiddos.

By Mary Grace Joseph for 3W Magazine.

What’s a fun, simple recipe that you LOVE to make and your kids LOVE to eat?

3W Magazine is hosting a “Healthy Kiddos” Recipe Contest just in time for the kids going back to school!

Win the opportunity to see your winning recipe in print in our magazine or online!

Entries will be judged on:

1. Simplicity
2. Nutrition
3. The Yummy Factor

Rules:

1. Submit your simple, healthy, recipe for kids to: marygrace@3wmagazine.com Subject line: Recipe Contest.
2. Include your name, email, phone number, and city & state.
3. Pictures of your food not required, but welcomed!
4. Contest opens on July 26 at 6pm. All entries must be submitted by Wednesday, August 3 at midnight.
5. Winner will be notified by email by Saturday, August 13.
6. 3W reserves the right to publish the winning recipe either in print or online.
7. Entries will be recieved from all ages!
8. One entry per person.

Email marygrace@3wmagazine.com with any questions. Happy cooking!!

On July 6, 2011, Dr. Missy Clifton of Premier Dermatology and Skin Renewal Center announced the acquisition of East Meets West Spa and Salon, operated by Helena Gadison.

East Meets West Spa and Salon was highlighted in the January 2011 issue of DAYSPA magazine, a resource for spa professionals. Helena Gadison will be bringing her talented team to Premier’s new location, 901 SE Plaza Avenue in Bentonville.

The new Premier Dermatology center is slated for Grand Opening August 4-5, 2011 as the two companies come under the same roof for a thorough and complete skincare facility. Premier Dermatology’ Skin Renewal Center will offer Botox, Juvenderm, Restylane, Sculptra Aesthetic, Intense Pulse Light (IPL), Laser hair removal, Fraxel, and Thermage. On the Dermatology side, Premier will offer Dermatopathology, Mohs surgery, skin cancer screenings and treatment, and treatment for skin conditions such as acne, eczema, warts and others. The East Meets West at Premier will offer full service body and facial treatments including massage, waxing, threading, and facial and chemical peels.

This summer, Premier will be adding Dr. Omie Mills to their staff. Dr. Mills specializes in Dermatopathology. She is trained in both dermatology and surgical pathology, which will allow her to microscopically diagnose diseases of the skin. This will eliminate the need to send away biopsy samples away for weeks for testing, and Dr. Clifton said the results can be complete in as little as 24 hours. Dr. Mills received her medical degree at Loma Linda University School of Medicine in Loma Linda, California.

In August 2012, Premier will add Dr. Kattie Allen to their staff. She is currently the chief resident in the Dermatology Department at the Mayo Clinic, where she is completing her training as a Mohs surgeon. Mohs surgery is a delicate and highly effective treatment for skin cancer. Dr. Allen received her medical degree at Indiana University School of Medicine and earned her undergraduate degree in microbiology at the University of Arkansas.

East Meets West Spa and Salon, located on North Steele Boulevard in Fayetteville will close in mid-July as they prepare for the Grand Opening at the new Premier Dermatology in Bentonville. All East Meets West outstanding gift-cards will be honored.

At Wednesday’s press release, both Dr. Missy Clifton and Helena Gadison were energetic and excited about the acquisition. They are looking forward to their two teams combining into one and being able to serve NWA, this region, and the nation in quality skincare. The facility on SE Plaza Avenue in Bentonville is nearing completion and will serve as a luxurious place for both men and women to come for all of their skincare needs.

Visit www.premierderm.net for more information on the clinic and the Grand Opening.

By Mary Grace Joseph for 3W Magazine.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Program Receives $20,000 from Walmart

On June 20, 2011, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas was presented with a $20,000 check from the Talent Development department at Walmart. This was through a Local Choice grant from Walmart in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring programs for children with incarcerated parents.

Pictured Left to Right are: Chris Clark from Walmart; Big Brothers Big Sisters Board Member Asa Hutchinson III; Big Brothers Big Sisters Executive Director Erin Rongers; and Big Brothers Big Sisters Board President Doug Allen.

Want to be a part of something big? Contact Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas at 479-756-5683 or visit www.bbbsnwa.org for additional information. Learn how you can help change how children grow up in Northwest Arkansas by going to bbbsnwa.org.

Complete with TOMS logo cookies, strawberry-infused water, and grand displays of TOMS Shoes all around the front of the store, Masons in Fayetteville was perfectly prepared for the new product release of TOMS. At 12:30pm on Tuesday, June 7, dozens of guests of all ages gathered to see the TOMS mystery box be unlocked.

TOMS Junior Copyright Editor Kellen Merrill flew to Fayetteville from the TOMS headquarters in Santa Monica, California to open the mystery box at Masons. Merrill has worked at TOMS for a year and a half and covers all of the company’s advertisement writing and emails. His favorite part of working for TOMS is their mission to help those in need. Beyond that, he adds, his favorite part is the fun and supportive people he works with. Before working for TOMS, he went on a Shoe Drop to Argentina to deliver TOMS shoes.

Before he opened the mystery box, Merrill asked the audience what product they guessed might be inside. He added that TOMS did promise to maintain their “One for One” campaign with the new product, meaning the new product would help people in need. Guesses from the audience ranged from T-shirts to water bottles and purses.

At exactly 12:40pm, after receiving the “go ahead” text from TOMS Founder Blake Mycoskie, Merrill showed a short video. On the video, Mycoskie spoke of how he became aware of the need for eye care in third-world countries. Simple eye care was lacking and causing so many to go blind at an early age.

After the video, Merrill unlocked the mystery box. He ripped off the cardboard banners inside to reveal posters and samples of the newest TOMS product: sunglasses. The audience cheered. Merrill told the premise behind the sunglasses and exactly how TOMS plans to carry out their mission. Each pair of sunglasses purchased, he explained, will “give sight to someone in need.” This could be in the form of eyeglasses, eye treatment, or eye surgeries. Unlike shoes that can be grown out of, eye surgeries and medication can help people’s vision for the rest of their lives. Merrill sees the eye care as extremely long-lasting and sustainable.

TOMS is beginning their efforts in Nepal, Cambodia, and Tibet. Their main “Giving Partner” in each of these countries is the Seva Foundation. The Seva Foundation is already mobilized to provide eye care in each of these countries. They have the doctors, the medicine, and the care already in place.

Merrill believes the TOMS sunglasses will only help the TOMS shoe sales. They will both be helping people in different way, and will double the exposure that the shoes were able to have. Shoe sales will continue going strong, he says.

TOMS sunglasses are available in three styles with two styles priced at $135 and one style priced at $145. A limited number of sunglasses are available now at Masons until the fall, when they will begin carrying them regularly. For more information, or to purchase sunglasses, visit www.toms.com.

By Mary Grace Joseph for 3W Magazine.

The search for the perfect work of art.  It can be a huge challenge given that beauty is most certainly in the eye of the beholder.  But for more than a decade, it’s a challenge that Amy Cappellazzo has met – and conquered.  As the Deputy Chairman of Christie’s Americas and the International Co-Head of Post-War and Contemporary Art, Cappellazzo has changed the face of contemporary art auctions across the world.  It’s far more than the Jackson Pollocks and Andy Warhols – Cappellazzo has played a role in helping hundreds of collectors, both veteran and novice, build their dream collections.

Post-War and Contemporary Art certainly seems to have weathered and even overcome the recent worldwide recession, as Cappellazzo says demand for the great works of art is stronger than ever.  On Sunday, April 17 at 2 p.m., Cappellazzo will be discussing how – and why – the international market has grown by almost 300 percent over the last decade.  The lecture, sponsored by Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, will take place at the Old High Middle School Auditorium, 406 NW 2nd Street in Bentonville.  There is no charge for admission and advance registration is not required, however, seating is limited so attendees are encouraged to arrive early.

As one of the premier experts in the field, some of Cappellazzo’s most prominent recent sales include an iconic Roy Lichtenstein painting for $42.6 million and an Andy Warhol work for $17 million.  Combined with other works, that one sale alone accounted for $400 million.

“The beauty of art is that it evokes differing responses from every viewer,” said Don Bacigalupi, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art executive director.  “Amy Cappellazzo’s deep appreciation of those responses, along with her extensive knowledge of art history and the market, is why she is one of the best in linking great works with collectors.  She can provide a new perspective on the art of art collecting – and the international market as a whole.”

About Crystal Bridges

The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of landscape. We explore the unfolding story of America by actively collecting, exhibiting, interpreting, and preserving outstanding works that illuminate our heritage and artistic possibilities.

Founded in 2005 by the Walton Family Foundation and set to open November 11, 2011, the Museum takes its name from a nearby natural spring and the bridge construction incorporated in the building design by world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie. A series of pavilions nestled around two creek-fed ponds will house galleries, meeting and classroom spaces, and a large, glass-enclosed gathering hall. Visitor amenities will also include a café on a glass-enclosed bridge overlooking the ponds and a Marlon Blackwell-designed museum store. Sculpture and walking trails will link the Museum’s 120-acre park and gardens to downtown Bentonville, Arkansas.

Crystal Bridges is currently building its permanent collection through the efforts of its professional staff as well as important gifts from private collectors such as Alice Walton and others. The collection features American masterworks dating from the Colonial era to contemporary times and will be on view to the public year-round. The Museum also will display a changing array of special exhibitions featuring art from museums and collections throughout the region, the nation and abroad.

The 2011 Starlight Gala was a record-breaker on several counts, eclipsing the previous eight iterations of the event in terms of the rate of ticket sales, attendance and net proceeds raised for the non-profit Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter.

The 9th Starlight Gala raised a projected $225,000 for the Children’s Shelter in cash and pledges. The event sold out about a month in advance, drawing a crowd of about 600 supporters to the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers. The Starlight Gala is the Children’s Shelter’s largest fund-raiser. This year’s proceeds represent nearly 10 percent of the Children’s Shelter’s operating budget.

“We are extremely gratified to see this kind of response from the community,” said Scott Tassani, President of the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter Board of Directors and Vice President, Walmart for General Mills, the 2011 Starlight Gala’s Presenting Sponsor. “General Mills is passionate about nourishing lives and making a difference in the communities where our employees live and work. So it is heartening to see so many regional partners come together to create a safe haven for children who have been abandoned, abused or neglected. The success of this night will pay benefits throughout the year, by giving these children an environment in which they can begin to heal.”

The Starlight Gala featured a reception, dinner, silent & live auctions, a special appeal by Dick Trammel and a 45-minute performance by Country Music Star Billy Dean and dancing to the music of local favorite Leah and the Mojo Doctors. Matt Turner, evening anchor on local NBC-affiliate KNWA-TV (Channel 51), served as the event’s master of ceremonies.

Earlier in the day, Dean charmed about 20 kids at the Children’s Shelter with an acoustic rendition of the most recent of his 11 Top 10 Country hits, “Let Them Be Little,” which extols the virtues and value of allowing children to have a healthy childhood. Dean fondly recounted the encounter before he performed the song for the Gala crowd.

The Gala garnered dozens of sponsorships from major Northwest Arkansas corporations, organizations and individuals.

In addition, the Gala’s silent and live auctions resulted in fierce bidding for attractive donated items, such as NASCAR adventures, catered gourmet dinner parties, fun and exotic vacation getaways, Major League Baseball junkets and a trip to the 2012 NCAA Final Four.

Community activist Dick Trammel of Arvest Bank also made a direct appeal to the crowd to raise $25,000, enough money to pay for one meal a day for 48 children for a year. The Children’s Shelter currently can care for up to 32 children, but later this month, the organization will be moving to a new home that immediately will increase that capacity to 48 children. Trammel pointed out to the crowd that adding capacity leads to increased operating costs.

On April 28, 2011, the Children’s Shelter will celebrate the Grand Opening of its new home at Highfill, which was financed by a $13.5 million construction grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation.

The new complex, which sits on an 81-acre tract about two miles west of the Children’s Shelter’s original location, includes:

· A 42,000-square-foot residential/education center (the Donald W. Reynolds Emergency Shelter).
· An 18,000-square-foot recreation center, with a full gymnasium and multi-purpose rooms (the Donald W. Reynolds Recreation Center).
· A 5,500-square-foot warehouse/maintenance building.
· Outdoor recreational amenities, such as sports fields and playground areas.

Once open, the new Children’s Shelter complex will increase the organization’s capacity by 50 percent and is “scalable” to a maximum capacity of 72 beds (a 125 percent increase over the current number).

About Billy Dean

Billy Dean’s insightful songwriting, distinctively clear voice and masterful instrumental gifts have earned him accolades from many Country Music organizations and countless devoted fans.

A native of Quincy, Fla., Dean was born into a musical family and was raised appreciating the value of music and has a diverse array of musical influences.

After attending college on a basketball scholarship (at East Central Junior College in Decatur, Miss., where he majored in physical education) he played the club circuit along Florida’s Gulf Coast and entered national talent contests as a vehicle for his music. In 1982, he made the finals of the Wrangler Country Star Search and moved to Nashville in 1983. In 1988, Dean won as a male vocalist champ on Ed McMahon’s “Star Search.”By 1990, he had recorded his first Top 5 Country hit: “Only Here For A Little While.”

Since then, Dean has transcended genres with his unique repertoire, earning numerous awards, including:
· Academy of Country Music (ACM) Song of the Year (“Somewhere In My Broken Heart”)
· ACM New Male Vocalist of the Year.
· Country Music Association (CMA) awards.
· BMI Pop Awards.
· BMI Song Awards.
· BMI Million Air Plays Award.
· Country Music Television Rising Star Award.
· NSAI Song of The Year.
· A Grammy Award for a Country tribute, “Amazing Grace.”
· Two gold albums and one platinum album.

Dean’s appeal reaches beyond the music world. He has appeared on numerous television shows as well as made-for-TV movies, including:
· “Blue Valley Songbird”
· “A Face to Kill For”
· “Lois & Clark”
· “One Life to Live”
· “Diagnosis Murder”
· “Good Morning America”
· “The Tonight Show”
· “The Montel Williams Show”

After 12 albums and 11 Top 10 singles, spanning 18 years, Dean has founded the publishing company BDMG (Billy Dean Music Group). Dean continues to make contributions to the Country Music world by building brands with music and empowering children, by being a spokesperson for Averitt Cares For Kids, and Sunkist’s Take A Stand Program.

His latest album “Let Them Be Little” was inspired by those closest to him, his two children (Hannah & Eli), and his wife, Stephanie. Dean’s illustrious career was recently recognized with a proclamation from the State of Tennessee House of Representatives.

Billy Dean’s 11 Top 10 Country hits:
· “Only Here for a Little While” – No. 3 – from the album “Young Man” (1990)
· “Somewhere in My Broken Heart” – No. 3 – from the album “Young Man” (1991)
· “You Don’t Count the Cost” – No. 4 – from the album “Billy Dean” (1991)
· “Only the Wind” – No. 4 – from the album “Billy Dean” (1992)
· “Billy the Kid” – No. 4 – from the album “Billy Dean” (1992)
· “If There Hadn’t Been You” – No. 3 – from the album “Billy Dean” (1992)
· “Tryin’ to Hide a Fire in the Dark” – No. 6 – from the album “Fire in the Dark” (1993)
· “We Just Disagree” – No. 9 – from the album “Fire in the Dark” (1994)
· “It’s What I Do” – No. 5 – from the album “It’s What I Do” (1996)
· “That Girl’s Been Spyin’ on Me” – No. 4 – from the album “It’s What I Do” (1996)
· “Let Them Be Little” – No. 8 – from the album “Let Them Be Little” (2004)

About the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter

The Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter is a private, non-profit organization that provides 24-hour emergency residential care to children and teens from throughout Arkansas who are victims of abuse or neglect. The shelter, which currently serves about 400 children per year, has served more than 5,500 children since opening its doors at Vaughn (southwest of Bentonville) in 1993. Children may stay up to 45 days in a six-month period, until they can be placed in foster care or return to their families. For more information, visit www.nwacs.org.

Each year Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas recognizes two mentors who have shown exceptional service to the agency and to their mentee. This year, the organization is proud to recognize Alan Cole and Misti Snow. Both are volunteers who have dedicated their time to support their Littles, inevitably making a lasting impact on their lives. Both mentors were chosen as 2011 Big Brother and Big Sister of the Year from the community-based mentoring program offered by the local agency. Both recipients have been honored individually for their commitment.

Community-based mentoring is the traditional Big Brothers Big Sisters program and is open to anyone over the age of 18 who is able to make a one year commitment to meeting with a child 2-4 times per month. Children are matched in one-to-one relationships with volunteer mentors in this program. The volunteers take time out of their busy lives to spend with a child, showing them that they truly matter!

“We know that the simple act of putting a caring adult in a child’s life has a positive impact”, says Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas Executive Director, Erin Rongers. “A recent study shows that adults mentored as children through Big Brothers Big Sisters are more likely than peers with similar backgrounds, but who were not involved in the program, to have a four-year college degree. They are also more likely to be engaged in their community and hold leadership positions. This is an amazing impact reached in part by outstanding mentors such as these Bigs of the Year.”

The 2011 Big Brother and Sister of the Year are Alan Cole and Misti Snow.

Alan lives in Fayetteville with his wife Allison and works for Colliers International. Alan and his Little, Kolby, met almost four years ago when Kolby was 8 years old. Kolby lives with his mom and younger brother and really needed a man in his life to look up to and spend time with. That is when Alan entered the picture. Over the past four years, Alan and Kolby have discovered that they both love sports: basketball, baseball and football. Kolby plays all three and Alan is a big supporter, showing up to cheer Kolby on at practices and games. They also like to eat pizza together, play video games, especially the Wii, and go bowling. They have attended several Bowl for Kids’ Sake events to help support the agency. Kolby’s favorite thing to do with Alan though is to just sit somewhere and talk. Having a good friend who is willing to listen has meant so much to Kolby. Kolby describes Alan as a “really, really good Big Brother!” Alan and Kolby have recorded a Public Service Announcement for our agency that ran on local radio stations. Kolby said that it was “a lot of fun” to be involved in that. Alan also serves our agency by being a part of our Board of Directors. Alan exemplifies all of the qualities looked for in a Big Brother to make a match successful. That is why he was chosen as the 2011 Big Brother of the Year.

Misti is engaged to be married in April to John McGowan. She works for Professional Business Systems. Misti has been matched with her Little Sister, Elizabeth, for over four years now. Elizabeth was six the day they met. Now at ten, Elizabeth loves to do all sorts of things with Misti. They enjoy bowling, eating together at Chick-Fil-A and Chuck E Cheese, going to Lokomotion to play mini-golf and ride go karts, baking cookies and attending Naturals baseball games. Misti has a little dog that Elizabeth loves to spend time with and go to the park on walks with. Last year they even threw the dog a birthday party! For Elizabeth’s birthday this past year, Misti took her to Build-a-Bear. They had so much fun making a bear together. Elizabeth got to take it home and keep it to help remind her of their special day together. Elizabeth lives with her mom, sister and brother. She really needed someone who could spend extra one on one time with her. Misti has done a terrific job of providing that friendship for Elizabeth. Elizabeth describes her Big Sister as “nice and pretty.” Misti and Elizabeth have participated in several agency sponsored activities including Bowl for Kids’ Sake, Holiday parties and Razorback baseball and basketball activities. Misti is a terrific example of what a Big Sister should strive to be. She has had commitment to the relationship she formed with Elizabeth, always following through and doing what she says she will do. She is kind, caring and goes out of her way to have a fun, active friendship with Elizabeth. This is why Misti was chosen as the 2011 Big Sister of the Year.

Want to be a part of something big? Contact Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas at 479-756-5683 or visit www.bbbsnwa.org for additional information.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas changes the way vulnerable children see the world and interact with it. We depend on donations to ensure child safety and provide support for children, families and volunteers to build and sustain strong relationships. Our programs are proven to reduce a child’s risk of dropping out of school, becoming violent, using drugs and alcohol, and falling victim to other negative cycles that threaten our society. Headquartered in Springdale and providing services to Benton and Washington County, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas serves approximately 350 children per year. Learn how you can help change how children grow up in Northwest Arkansas by going to bbbsnwa.org.