Hot Country sibling trio to help shelter for abused kids at General Mills-sponsored event

Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter and Presenting Sponsor General Mills today announced that hot Country trio The Band Perry will headline the 2013 Starlight Gala on Saturday, April 27, at the John Q. Hammons Convention Center in Rogers. Proceeds will benefit the private, non-profit organization’s efforts with abused and neglected kids.

“The Starlight Gala has been one of the highest-profile and most successful charity events in Northwest Arkansas for the past few years,” said Steve Schotta, Executive Director of the Children’s Shelter. “Having The Band Perry as our headliner maintains the Starlight Gala’s status as Northwest Arkansas’ premier fund-raising event. The Band Perry’s performance will enable us to help even more kids in crisis, providing them a place where the hurts they have experienced can begin to heal.”

About the Starlight Gala

For the second consecutive year, the Starlight Gala has been named among the top three “Favorite Charity Galas”
in Ce!ebrate Arkansas magazine’s Very Best Awards. As the Children’s Shelter’s largest fund- raiser, the Starlight Gala brings in three times more money than any other event and is crucial the organization’s operations, as state reimbursement covers only 20 percent of the Children’s Shelter’s overall costs. Last year’s Starlight Gala featured super group Rascal Flatts as the headliner and netted more than $435,000 (about 15 percent of the Children’s Shelter’s operating budget). Schotta expects to surpass that mark this year with the evening of elegance, entertainment, enterprise and empathy.

Highlights of the Starlight Gala will include:

  • A VIP reception for sponsors, including a “meet-and-greet” with The Band Perry.
  • An intimate concert with The Band Perry.
  • Delicious food & beverages.
  • A silent auction, with opportunities to bid on hundreds of fantastic donated items.
  • An exciting live auction, in which attendees can engage in public bidding wars to win one-of-a-kind items and experiences. Past live auctions have included extraordinary items ranging from a vacation stay in a historic and elegant French chateau … to a NASCAR adventure … to an all-inclusive Jamaican vacation getaway … to an all- expenses-paid theme park extravaganza … to a gourmet dinner party, catered by a master chocolatier … to a Major League Baseball junket … and more.
  • A special appeal by Dick Trammel to help fund a specific Children’s Shelter initiative.

Persons seeking information about the event, sponsorships opportunities, etc., may contact Annual Giving Manager Kristi Coats at kcoats@nwacs.org or 479.795.2417, ext. 311.

About The Band Perry

The Band Perry – comprised of siblings Kimberly, Reid and Neil Perry – signed with Republic Nashville in August 2009. Combining elements of classic Country with an eclectic infusion of Rock and Soul, rounded out by perfect three-part harmonies, the family band’s heralded, platinum-certified, self-titled debut album was released in October 2010 and quickly catapulted them into the mainstream. Their quadruple-platinum, No. 1 Country and Adult Contemporary smash, “If I Die Young,” earned Kimberly Perry the Country Music Association Awards’ Song of the Year, and the band took home New Artist of the Year and Single of the Year. The gold-certified follow-up singles, “All Your Life” and “You Lie,” respectively reached the No. 1 and No. 2 positions on the Country radio charts. Among other accolades are two Academy of Country Music Awards for New Vocal Duo or Group and New Artist and a CMT Music Award for USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year (“If I Die Young”). The trio also were named the “Best New Live Act” in a special category by Nationwide Insurance. The sibling trio has also garnered Grammy, Teen Choice, American Music Awards, American Country Awards and Billboard Music Award nominations. The Band Perry is currently putting the finishing touches on their highly anticipated, sophomore album, slated for an April 2 release. Selling more than 650,000 copies, the lead single, “Better Dig Two,” is currently Top 10-and-climbing at Country Radio and is the fastest-rising single of their career. The Band Perry is currently on the road as special guests of the Rascal Flatts Changed Tour. For more information, please visit www.thebandperry.com and “join the family” at www.thefansperry.com.

About Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter

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 48-bed Children’s Shelter, which currently serves about 500 children per year, has served more than 6,600 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.