Rocking babies to sleep was Terry Quinn’s first volunteer role at Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH). The 21-year-old Georgia native had just graduated with a communications degree from the University of Arkansas, was dating her then-college sweetheart, now-husband Walter, and was looking for a way to give back to the community.
Fast forward almost 30 years and Terry has raised two of her own children (24-year-old Luke and 20-year-old Marge Anna); founded, operated and sold KidCo, a childcare center and preschool; and spent countless hours volunteering with the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Auxiliary.
Since her time rocking babies, she’s worked in the Playaway Gift Shop, served on the Arkansas a la Carte committee, sponsored an ACH holiday card artist and served as a co-chair for the Star ACHiever program — twice.
This year she takes on her biggest volunteer role yet as chairperson of the 2012 Miracle Ball. A joint project of the ACH Auxiliary and the ACH Foundation, Terry says the black-tie Miracle Ball is the largest fundraiser of the year for ACH and has raised more than $2.2 million since it began six years ago.
“This year’s ball has a very timely theme: ‘Generations of Support,’ which builds on the hospital’s yearlong Centennial Celebration,” says Terry. “Over the past 100 years, generations of families have been served by and have supported Arkansas Children’s Hospital. And that’s how the hospital reached this point — with generations of support.”
Held in Children’s Hall on the ACH campus, this year’s Miracle Ball will be an elegant Southern dinner. “All that is beautiful and representing the South will be prominent at the ball,” says Terry. “Arkansas Repertory Theatre has graciously helped ‘set the stage’ with an entrance that looks just like the front porch of a traditional Southern plantation. Cabbage Rose and Tipton Hurst will take Children’s Hall back in time with beautiful flowers and table decorations to reflect our ‘generations’ theme. Capers will provide a delicious meal of true Southern delicacies. They have surprised our guests with fabulous food and service since our very first ball. Their food presentation is always a treat for every guest,” says Terry, who adds that it will take an entire week to set up for the ball.
“The people who give of their time are just about the best group ever,” she says. “The silent auction chairman, Melissa Bond, and the live auction chairman, Julie Marshall, both have full-time careers, which I believe speaks volumes to their contribution to ACH. They not only are working harder than ever, they are both ‘new’ members, learning from the existing Auxiliary members. The Auxiliary and our ACH volunteers are truly the backbone to making Miracle Ball happen.”
If you haven’t already secured tickets to the Dec. 8 Miracle Ball, you are likely out of luck. Tickets to the ball sold out before the end of August, which Terry points out is a new record. But there are still plenty of other ways to give back to ACH, as the Miracle Ball is just one of the Auxiliary’s projects.
Founded in 1967 to raise funds and awareness for ACH, the Auxiliary’s first project was the sale of patient-designed holiday cards, a fundraising tradition that continues today. “They are really special cards that represent some of the artwork from our patients, and some from our Star ACHievers,” says Terry. “Anyone in the community may design a card if they have been a patient at ACH.”
Other Auxiliary fundraisers currently include Star ACHievers, Arkansas a la Carte and Campaign for Kids. The Auxiliary also coordinates the Playaway Gift Shop, located in the hospital’s lobby.
The Star ACHiever program, created in 2002, teaches ninth-grade girls the importance of giving back to one’s community. Each year, approximately 40 girls participate in the program and tour different areas of the hospital, volunteer for ACH Auxiliary projects and learn the value of health care, philanthropy and community leadership.
Arkansas a la Carte is a spring event that pairs delicious food from local chefs and restaurants with complementary wines, giving guests a “taste of Arkansas.” A la Carte raises approximately $75,000 for ACH and has expanded over the years to accommodate more than 400 guests.
Campaign for Kids is a corporate-driven campaign led by an Auxiliary leader who works with other community leaders to secure donations from businesses.
Today, there are more than 480 Auxiliary members, who for the past two years have donated $1 million to the hospital annually. Where does it go? In 2012, a whopping $718,233 went to the ACH Auxiliary Infant/Toddler Unit (South Wing), $86,768 purchased NICU equipment, $50,000 went to each PalCare (palliative care), ACH Research Institute and the Child Maltreatment program. The remaining $25,000 went to Good Mourning and $20,000 to the Comfort Foods Program.
The Auxiliary’s programs are all important to Terry, as multiple generations of her family have been impacted by the 100-year-old hospital.
“Luke [who works for Rock Financial] was treated there from age 8-10 for childhood epilepsy,” she says. “His tests involved sleep deprivation. That meant Walter and I would take shifts keeping him up all night to prepare for tests the next day to monitor his brain waves. After a night of late-night basketball or taking Shipley’s Donuts to Luke’s friends at 5 a.m., we would arrive at Children’s, the staff would take over and within minutes, he was fast asleep and ready for his tests.”
Marge Anna — currently a journalism and business student at the University of Colorado Boulder — was a Star ACHiever, an artist for the holiday cards and worked at Breakfast with Santa, which Terry says was one of her favorite activities during the Star ACHiever program. “She has always had a special place in her heart for children. I have no doubt that she will be a great volunteer at ACH when she returns to Little Rock.”
Terry’s mother-in-law, Mildred Quinn, also has a long record of volunteer service at ACH. “She was president of the Auxiliary from 1975-76, the ninth president of the organization,” Terry says, “and she was a member prior to that for many years.”
“It was a fun place to work, and the benefit to children was immeasurable,” says Mildred. “I just wanted to help in an area that would benefit my generation and generations to follow.”
These days, Mildred often gives guidance to Terry on her numerous ACH projects. “She is an incredible resource of knowledge and support to me, which makes this year’s theme even more special,” Terry says. “She has been a steadfast volunteer in Little Rock, and has left a legacy for our children to follow.”
Learn more about the ACH Auxiliary by calling Holly Barron at 364-2092, or by visiting Giving.ARChildrens.org/JoinAuxiliary.
More Tidbits about Terry
Volunteer is her middle name. “I am on the Advisory Board for the Reynolds Institute on Aging. Walter and I are also sponsors for the Humane Society of Pulaski County Datebook.”
She loves to cook. “And I enjoy cooking for others,” she says. “I try to exercise a few days a week. The first love demands the latter.”
She’s a reader — and a book collector. “I read very early in the morning and have for most of my life. Rare books are a real treat for me. One took a year to secure — “The Understanding of Good” by Jeanne de Vietinghoff. I also read a lot of books on food and food in the South. The last one was “A New Turn in the South” by Hugh Acheson.
Like mother, like daughter. “My mother Ruth was hands-down the most important influence in my life. She was strong, smart and had an incredibly loving soul. Her kindness could light up a room and her understanding of children and how they were wired was phenomenal.”
Her favorite quote is from her mother. “If you want an honest answer, ask a child.”
Terry Quinn (center), her mother-in-law Mildred Quinn (left) and her daughter Marge Anna Quinn (right) wear gowns from B. Barnett and jewelry from Jones & Son Diamond & Bridal Fine Jewelry. Marge Anna’s jewelry will be auctioned during the Miracle Ball live auction. Styling by Mitchell Crisp.
A look at the three generations together: Terry Quinn, her mother-in-law Mildred Quinn and her daughter Marge Anna Quinn wear gowns from B. Barnett and jewelry from Jones & Son Diamond & Bridal Fine Jewelry. Marge Anna’s jewelry will be auctioned during the Miracle Ball live auction. Styling by Mitchell Crisp.