It’s probably not that common for a person to beg to chair a large fundraiser. In fact, we’re pretty certain that in most cases, it works the other way around. But not with Cathy Tuggle.
The Haskell native and owner/principal broker of Apartment Hunters and Arkansas Suites got her first taste of giving in 2005, following Hurricane Katrina, when she and her staff assisted evacuees with housing. Not long after, the mother of one got involved with Make-A-Wish.
“Someone with Make-A-Wish asked me to volunteer, and whenever I witnessed my first ‘Wish Reveal’ I was hooked,” she remembers. “At that moment, I decided to grant a wish to a child with a life-threatening illness each year as long as I possibly could.” Two years ago, she got her company and the Arkansas Apartment Association involved. Last year she served as chair of one of Make-A-Wish MidSouth’s largest annual fundraisers and this year she’s co-chairing An Evening of Wishes, along with Gina Moran.
“I begged to do the event again this year! We raised a record amount of donations ($80,000) last year to fund a lot of wishes to local children with life-threatening illnesses,” she says. “I wanted to be a part of breaking that record this year. We are so close to making more wishes come true. And, the wishes are from Arkansas children. It could be your child, your neighbor’s child or your child’s best friend. I am sure everyone has been touched by Make-A-Wish at some point. There is nothing in this world like seeing ‘hope’ in a child’s eyes. It makes you put everything in perspective!”
Below, Tuggle shares more about the upcoming fundraiser and how you can get involved.
Soirée: What will be the highlights at this year’s An Evening of Wishes?
Cathy Tuggle: In addition to a seated, three-course dinner, we will have a parade of former Wish Children who recently painted some beautiful artwork of their “wishes” to auction off. We will be honoring Rusty Mathis of Ben E. Keith as our “Wish Star.” This event wouldn’t be possible without Rusty and his staff. Shane Henderson with Ben E. Keith was the mastermind behind this event, which began as a very intimate dinner and developed into this magical evening. Rusty has always been a huge part of the event through his support and love of Make-A-Wish!
SO: Where do proceeds from the event go?
CT: Seventy-eight cents of every dollar goes to a wish — local wishes. You can experience a wish yourself when you donate. For $6,000, you will receive a table of 10 and you will be able to experience a wish granting. You are investing in ‘hope for a child,’ which can make a huge difference in the healing process for a child.
SO: Why is the mission of Make-A-Wish so close to your heart?
CT: We can all make a difference. Giving a child ‘hope, strength and desire’ by simply granting a wish is huge! I think if anyone grants a wish, they will be forever changed for the best!
An Evening of Wishes
When: 6-9 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 6
Where: Governor’s Mansion
Tickets: $3,000 and $6,000 table sponsorships available
Info: Carol Isom, 492-7273, MidSouth.Wish.org