The 20th anniversary of the Junior League of Little Rock’s (JLLR) Holiday House (HH), the city’s largest shopping event of the season, kicks off with a ticketed preview party on Wednesday, Nov. 3, and concludes on Saturday, Nov. 6. Leading the festivities as chair is JLLR development council board member Tonya Franzetti. It’s her job to manage more than 150 merchants from more than 17 states, as well as dozens of volunteers and droves of bargain-hunting women and men, all under the Statehouse Convention Center roof.
“My duties include overseeing the 11 subcommittees, promoting a team atmosphere, maintaining a budget, overseeing all publicity and serving as the liaison between the committee, public, sponsors and JLLR,” she said, “all of this while trying to think of new and different events that will keep Holiday House fresh and new and increase attendance.”
To us, it sounds like a lot to juggle, but to Franzetti, being in charge of JLLR’s largest annual fundraiser—it generates approximately 60 percent of the league’s annual income—is no sweat. Franzetti first became involved with JLLR seven years ago, and this is her sixth year working with HH. It’s safe to say she knows the ropes.
A long-term-care account manager for Novartis Pharmaceuticals and Little Rock native, Franzetti holds bachelor of science degrees in biology and chemistry and a minor in psychology from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Her Italian husband is Jeff Franzetti, a marketing manager at Verizon, whom she said is the “foundation” behind her family. “His support and encouragement allow me to do everything I do. He never complains about my many meetings and time away from home while he is taking care of our children,” she said. The couple has two boys, Carson, 4, and Garrett, 18 months, and two dogs, Spencer and Keaton.
In addition to her work with JLLR, Franzetti serves on Mount St. Mary Academy’s alumnae board, is an advisor for Chi Omega Sorority and is chairing the bake sale at her son’s school for the second year, which is ironic because she doesn’t bake.
She’s also planning a “Women in Leadership” event for her company, and she’s involved with Women & Children First, a local organization that provides shelter, education and local advocacy to women and children suffering abuse.
Tireless in her volunteerism, Franzetti believes we were all placed on Earth to help one another. “I have been so blessed with a great family, great education and the chance to follow my dreams, and if I can help someone else have a chance at anything I have been blessed with, then I have been successful,” she said.
Making the public more aware of the community impact of Holiday House is one of her primary goals. “I want the community to understand their attendance to one of the special events or general shopping to HH does make a difference in the local community,” she said. Funds raised from the event support eight different community projects, like Stuff the Bus, SCAT Night Owls, GROW, Buckle Up & Be Safe, Kota Kamp and Nightingales, among others.
One way Franzetti and the JLLR are emphasizing the impact of HH is by adding a new spin to the “’Twas the Night Before” preview party. “We are introducing a new live auction called ‘Fund A Cause,’” she said. Rather than bid to win a particular item, guests will bid on the opportunity to donate money or supplies to different JLLR projects. “Each winning bidder will receive a thank-you note from one of our community project recipients, a thank-you note from the HH committee and the satisfaction of knowing that he or she helped supply school supplies to a child, send a child to camp, provide a safe car seat or provide food and activities to local senior citizens. We will auction off the chance to help Buckle Up & Be Safe, KOTA Kamp, Stuff the Bus and SCAT Night Owls, so it’s a great way for people to give back while having fun at our preview party,” she said.
Get the Pink Pass! Shoppers may also purchase a special 20th anniversary pink pass for $75 per person. The limited-edition pass will provide admittance to all three special events (preview party, private shopping and ladies’ night out).
• Wednesday, Nov. 3:
“Twas the Night Before’” Preview Party, 6-10 p.m, Statehouse Convention Center (SHCC). Tickets: $35 per person (limited availability; includes live and silent auction, music, drinks and hors d’oeuvres)
• Thursday, Nov. 4:
“A Very Merry Morning” Private Shopping event, 9 a.m.-noon, SHCC. Tickets: $25 per person (limited availability; includes brunch and coffee)
General shopping, noon-9 p.m., SHCC. Tickets: $7 per day; $15 for a three-day pass
“Margaritas and Mistletoe” Ladies’ Night Out, 6-9 p.m., SHCC. Tickets: $25 per person (limited availability; includes Mexican buffet, drinks and silent auction)
• Friday, Nov. 5:
General shopping, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., SHCC. Tickets: $7 per day; $15 for a three-day pass
• Saturday, Nov. 6:
Cookies & Milk with Mrs. Claus, 9 a.m.-noon, SHCC. Tickets: $5 per child (includes cookies, milk, stories and activities)
Gingerbread House Competition, featuring some of the state’s best pastry chefs, 9 a.m.-noon, SHCC.
General shopping, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., SHCC. Tickets: $7 per day; $15 for a three-day pass
For more info about HH or to purchase tickets to any of the special events, call 375-5557 or visit jllr.org.