Story and photos by Inviting’s Jillian McGehee
“People die. Relationships don’t.” The astute statement was made by Sarah Cowan, a volunteer with Kaleidoscope Grief Center. She and countless others give their time to the organization, which serves grieving children, teens and their families after the loss of a parent or loved one. Established in 1995 as in independent nonprofit organization, the Kaleidoscope Grief Center merged as a program of the Methodist Family Health Counseling Clinic in January 2009.
April Leslie was only 32 when she became a widow left to raise her 3-year-old daughter. April easily found a support group, but it consisted of mostly older adults. Upon learning of Kaleidoscope Grief Center, she immediately felt relief in knowing that her grieving daughter would get the help she needed.
April’s story is just one of many that come out of the grief center. To help produce more success stories, fundraisers like the Kaleidoscope Kids Auction are held. The event has outgrown the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church and this year will take place at the Woman’s City Club (Junior League of Little Rock’s headquarters). Admission is only $75 per person or $125 per couple. The auction will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16. All proceeds benefit the grief center and Methodist Family Health clinics around the state.
Chairing this year’s event is Sally Riggs, a dedicated volunteer.
Sally is married to Keith Riggs, whose grandfather was a Methodist pastor and served the Methodist Orphanage on Fillmore Street long ago. The orphanage was the cornerstone of today’s Methodist Family Health.
“I am a professional volunteer,” Sally says with a smile. “Whether it’s for church, school or the community, it makes me feel good. I like being involved and being hands-on. And everyone here at Methodist Family Health is so nice and easy to work with.”
Sally, a member of St. James United Methodist Church, commends all of the services that Kaleidoscope and Methodist Family provide, but she is especially fond of the Kids Club. “It’s a good source for children and teens to get together and have fun,” she says. “It’s not all about grieving and counseling. They can have fun too.”
Ashley Coldiron, executive director of the Methodist Family Health Foundation, says Sally is a “wonderful” board member for Methodist Family Health. “She’s totally dedicated and works quietly behind the scenes getting things done. Sally is the type of volunteer who will haul pizzas in her vehicle one weekend and chair a gala the next month. She is the type of volunteer every organization would like to clone!”
The Kids Auction is a “fun time,” notes Sally, who will also be in charge of flower arrangements for the evening. In addition to a wine cork pull, more than 100 auction items will be up for grabs.
Highlights of the live auction include a Dominican Republic weeklong vacation in a villa at Punta Cana’s Campo de Camp Resort; high tea for 30 guests with tables set with English china; guided hunting trip with lodging at CrossHeirs Retreat Lodge; brunch for 14 at an E. Fay Jones-designed home; condominium in Destin, Fla., for a week; Walt Disney World trip complete with airfaire and hotel and four Park Hopper passes; and several pieces of art, including a James Hayes hand-blown glass bowl, Michael Black watercolor and Teresa Cates oil paintings.
Some of the silent auction items include a Michael Kors handbag, NFL tickets, many pieces of hand-made jewelry, and gift certificates to local restaurants and getaways.
For more information, email acoldiron@methodistfamily.org.
9 months ago