Gala 2026

A Night to Remember

When Senior Case Manager Ayonna Applegate first approached me a year ago with the possibility of hosting a gala in honor of our founder, Kathy, I had no idea the legs that suggestion would grow. Immediately there were so many “what if we have_____,” “what if we do_____,” “and then we_____.”  Ayonna is the best at hosting our Trunk or Treats, our Back to School events and neighborhood Easter Egg Hunts not to mention baby showers and other parties so I knew this wasn’t going to be your average shindig.  This was going to be class and beauty.

Other COF staffers wanted to get in on the fun so we created a committee and began meeting monthly in February, 2025 and weekly in January, 2026.  Supporting the Alzheimer’s Association was a unanimous decision by the team as Kathy continues to battle this disease.  The Association loaned us Nikhol Press, who steered us, held our hand and made the most wonderful suggestions for success.

As we grew closer to February 7, 2026, the excitement at COF was palpable.  Ladies buying dresses, making plans for their significant others, selling tickets, gathering silent auction items, designing, hundreds of phone calls, a general bee hive of activity.

The COF way is to share all of our successes with whoever is interested in knowing how we pulled anything off.   We never keep these things to ourselves so here is a list of those you need to reach out to if you ever want to throw yourself one bang up good party:

Kendra Scott and Entenmann Cookies, God’s riches blessings on you.  And to my wonderful friends at the Arkansas Alzheimer’s Association, David Cook, Kirsten Dickens and Nikhol Press, thank you for all you do to help all of us who face the trials and tribulations of navigating such a terrible disease.  There’s a special place in heaven for you.

To everyone who donated, dedicated and danced the night away, gold stars all around.  The joy you brought filled my heart with gratitude and made me even more aware that no one should have to walk this Alzheimer’s path alone.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.