Less was more for the American Cancer Society’s Party for a Cure last weekend. Fewer people attended than last year’s inaugural event, but the sequel scored about $436,000, the most of any cancer society event in Arkansas.
Cancer survivor Gregg Ogden opened his heart and his North Hunter Drive home to a dapperly dressed crowd of 550 — not quite the masses that previously attended. And the July 30 affair sponsored by The Barber Group and staged by Gucci seemed to go more smoothly than the 2004 function put on with the help of Versace.
Organizers were going for "casual elegance" with their theme "Evening in the Hamptons," and from the looks of the decor, they nailed it. Tables held arrangements of white hydrangeas, white orchids or white peonies in square wood containers supplied by Gucci. Three layers of white linens covered tables and amber candlelight added a soft glow. Wax luminarias marked off the walkways and pool area.
Guests began arriving via shuttle bus before 7 p.m. and were greeted with smiling servers handing out champagne. They then made their way over to a Gucci store set up in Ogden’s garage with furniture shipped in just for the event. The store sold "well over" $100,000, a percentage of which will go to the American Cancer Society, says Susan Foley, executive director of the Northwest Arkansas affiliate.
With fewer people, it was easier to maneuver around the party and get to the buffet tables. Catering Concepts, a personal favorite of Ogden’s, set up five serving stations: fresh boiled shrimp with gourmet sausages, a carving station with smoked beef brisket, spice-rubbed pork loin served with rolls and horseradish, a chinois salad station and a sushi station.
Other fare included shrimp salsa, black bean salsa with pita chips, a display of grilled marinated and sliced chicken breast, grilled marinated sliced flank steak with sauces, hot crab and shrimp dip with toasted baguettes, smoked salmon and shrimp crostini, tomato-basil and mozzarella bruschetta with roasted garlic, ham-Dijon profiteroles and applewood-bacon wrapped petite chicken bites.
Barber Group owner Brandon Barber stole away from his wife’s side just long enough to soak in a little fun. His wife, Keri, gave birth to their second child the day before at Willow Creek Women’s Hospital. Keri is the daughter of Janie Chambers, chairman of the Party for a Cure. Another Chambers daughter, recent cancer survivor Susan Salter, spoke briefly during the party. Salter, who had found cancer in her neck, encouraged others to get regular exams and stay alert to any warning signs. "It's people like you that make a difference", she told to the crowd of affluent partygoers. "We’re getting one step closer to finding a cure to all cancer, a cure I know we will find in our lifetime." She received a standing ovation for her remarks. It was well past 9:30 p.m. when the live auction began, but it was successful nonetheless. Former St. Louis Cardinals catcher Tom Pagnozzi took home a red 2005 SLK Mercedes-Benz convertible for $50,000 and Dr. Scott Bailey walked off with $50,000 worth of Versace merchandise for $22,000.
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