From a chair-shaped birdhouse to a live chair made completely out of greenery, several options remain available for anyone interested in purchasing a chair during the annual Festival of Chairs.
The annual event is scheduled for Oct. 3 at the Centennial Valley Event Center and is hosted by the Friends of CASA organization, a volunteer group which aids the Court Appointed Special Advocates for the 20th Judicial District of Arkansas.
"It all goes to the children," said Molly Chappell, the publicity chairman. "This event is for actually raising money to provide advocates for the children."
Those children, suffering from abuse or neglect, have to go before a judge, who will in turn decide whether the juveniles can return to their families or continue living in foster care.
Because such a situation involves adult issues which a child may not understand, the local CASA group aims to provide those children with someone to express their voice to the judge.
"The judge can't be there to know exactly what's going on so they become the advocate. They are the eyes and ears for the judge," Chappell said. "Last year we served 160 children in the 20th judicial district which is Faulkner, Van Buren and Searcy counties. The sad situation is that there's really probably over 250 children that really need advocates."
The festival, Chappell said, will provide money for training and other costs necessary for the children. "If it takes an average of $1,000 to serve a child, we're also somewhat limited by the money that we have to be able to serve those children," she said.
But why chairs?
Chappell, who has been involved with Friends for CASA for the past three years, compares the chairs to the children the organization is trying to help.
"The premise is you take an old beat-up abandoned chair and artists take it and breathe new life into it and restore it and bring new life into it like our advocates do with the children," she said.
Right now, there are 26 chairs available, though Chappell said more may come in before next week's event.
"They're all different. We've got a set of adirondack chairs, and they're all listed at www.casa20th.org," she said.
The chairs were designed by various people, including Friends of CASA members, local artists and CASA advocates and will be placed in both the live and silent auctions.
To prove the help that the event gives, she pointed to the amount of raised during last year's event.
"Last year was actually our largest year ever," she said. "We raised $56,000. I think the year before it was about $30,000."
It has certainly grown since its inception, when the festival only brought in around $400.
"We've kind of outgrown our facilities," she said.
Laura Simpson, the chairman of the event, said she got involved after talking with Chappell last year. She appreciates the aim of the event, as she has a family of her own.
"We have children and don't have the time to donate to be an advocate, but we're passionate about the organization and what they do, so this is our way of helping," she said.
To keep the focus on the children, there will also be a Heart Gallery set up, in which people can view pictures of actual children needing permanent homes.
Chappell said it allows attendees to realize how important the issue is.
"These are families that could be living in your neighborhood and you don't always realize," she said.
Simpson said the event has expanded, with several things to purchase other than chairs.
"This year we are having a champagne and ice raffle. It's a new feature of the festival," she said.
This feature, she said, is a 12-carat black diamond bracelet and matching earrings, valued at $2,100.
"You can buy a $20 ticket for that," Chappell said.
The jewelry was donated by Fletcher Smith Jewelers and is on display, next to one of the donated chairs.
Other items, either in the silent or live auction, include an AKC registered Yorkshire Terrier puppy, airline tickets, a one-week stay at a Daytona Beach, Fla., condo and a 37-inch LCD television and Nintendo Wii package.
"We've got really almost $51,000 of auction items," Chappell said.
The doors will open at 6 p.m., when attendees can browse the silent auction and listen to the music of Darren Barry. Dinner will begin at 7 p.m., provided by restaurants such as Centennial Valley Country Club, Chili's, Chris Henson, Gusano's Pizzeria, Marketplace Grill, Michelangelo's, Mike's Place, Moe's Southwest Grill, Pia's Fine Italian Dining and Ruby Tuesday.
The emcee for the evening is KTHV reporter Melissa Dunbar-Gates of Little Rock, and Justice of the Peace Johnnie Wells will act as the auctioneer for the live auction.
Both Chappell and Simpson were amazed at the support received for the fundraiser.
"Knowing the economy is not the strongest ... we were a little bit concerned about being able to put up enough auction items," Chappell said, adding the merchants and restaurants have been generous with donations.
The leading sponsors, who have each donated more than $1,000, are Fletcher Smith Jewelers, Snap-On Equipment, Nabholz Construction, Joe and Shirley Perkins, First Service Bank, A Southern Tradition, Sen. Gilbert Baker, Walk This Way and Conway Copies.
The honorary chairmen of the event are Brad and Lisa Hegeman, a couple that remains active in community and social organizations, including the United Way, Boys and Girls Club and Women's Shelter of Central Arkansas.
While Simpson wants people to come to the event, she hopes they realize how their donations impact the children in need.
"Anyone who has a passion for children, you realize what you're doing it for," she said.
Those interested in attending the event can call the CASA office at 501-328-3347. Tickets are $35, or $45 at the door.
(Staff writer Jerrica Ryan can be reached by e-mail at jerrica.ryan@thecabin.net or by phone at 505-1266. Send us your news at www.thecabin.net/submit.)
