BTS at The Gaines House 16th Annual Sandra Wilson Cherry Awards Dinner

/ Chenal Event Venue/

At Meredith Events, we're passionate about supporting organizations that make a meaningful difference in our community. We had the honor of providing event coordination support for The Gaines House's 16th Annual Sandra Wilson Cherry Awards Dinner, a beautiful evening that celebrated both remarkable community leaders and an organization that has been transforming lives in Little Rock since 1967.

Discovering The Gaines House Mission

Our connection to The Gaines House began through one of our trusted catering partners, Vibrant Occasions Catering, who had been working with the organization as their exclusive caterer. Through this introduction, we learned about The Gaines House's unique approach to supporting homeless women with disabilities and offering unlimited length of stay and comprehensive support services that help residents achieve a remarkable 90% success rate in transitioning to independent living.

Our Coordination Approach

While The Gaines House had their own dedicated planning committee, our role focused on providing strategic guidance throughout the planning process and on-site coordination support. Through monthly calls with Julia Hart, Board President at The Gaines House, we offered counsel and advice to help ensure their vision for the evening would come to life seamlessly.

The real magic happened on event day when our associate planner, Nicole, was on-site at the beautiful Chenal Event Venue to assist with setup and coordinate the various moving pieces. Having a dedicated coordinator present throughout the day allowed the organizers to focus on their guests and honorees while we assisted with the logistics.

Celebrating Remarkable Honorees

The evening honored two groundbreaking women: The Honorable Joyce Williams Warren, Arkansas' first Black female judge and first Black person elected to a state-level trial court judgeship, and The Honorable Annabelle Davis Clinton Imber Tuck, the first woman elected to the Arkansas Supreme Court. Coordinating an event that celebrates such distinguished leaders requires attention to every detail to ensure the evening reflects the significance of their achievements.

Collaborative Event Success

What made this event particularly special was the collaborative effort between all our partners. While Vibrant Occasions Catering created an innovative menu featuring Caribbean citrus chicken with mango salsa and creative vegetarian options, our partner Brian Weaver from Weaver Films captured every inspiring moment through photography and video documentation.

The coordination between our team, the venue staff at Chenal Event Venue, and all the vendors ensured that guests could focus entirely on the evening's meaningful purpose—supporting The Gaines House's vital mission.

The Power of Purposeful Events

Working with The Gaines House reinforced our belief in the power of well-coordinated events to amplify important causes. Unlike traditional shelters, The Gaines House provides a structured, supportive environment where women with disabilities can stabilize their lives through consistent housing, coordinated medical care, and comprehensive case management.

Their approach requires residents to have recommendations and be in or have access to treatment, working with caseworkers to ensure medication compliance and appointment attendance. This structured environment creates the stability necessary for women to progress toward independent living—a mission that deserves the very best event coordination support.

A Meaningful Recognition

One of the most touching moments of the evening was receiving a Certificate of Appreciation from The Gaines House, recognizing our contributions of time, advice, outreach, and efforts in partnership with their mission and residents. This recognition represented the genuine partnership we'd built through our ongoing support of their vital work.

Being honored alongside the evening's distinguished honorees reminded us why we're passionate about supporting organizations that create real change in our community. It's about building lasting relationships with organizations whose missions align with our values.

Supporting Community Impact

The Gaines House continues to seek community support to maintain their vital services. For those interested in contributing to their mission, visit www.thegaineshouse.org or contact benita@thegaineshouse.org.

At Meredith Events, we're grateful for opportunities to support organizations like The Gaines House that make such a meaningful difference in our community. Their dedication to empowering women through comprehensive support exemplifies exactly the kind of positive change we're honored to help amplify through seamless event coordination.

Event Partners:

For more information about our event coordination services, contact Meredith Events today.