2022 Bolo Bash: Bolder Than Ever

Food, Fashion, Fundraising : Baptist Health Foundation’s 2022 Bolo Bash

is Bolder than Ever

By MAK MILLARD

If you’ve ever gone door-to-door or found yourself begging twice-removed family members for the change in their pockets, you know that fundraising is no easy feat. When the stakes are even higher –– say, improving the health and quality of life for all Arkansans regardless of their financial means –– finding unique ways to build a donor base from year to year becomes an even taller task. Luckily, the folks at the Baptist Health Foundation have had almost six decades to perfect their process, and this isn’t your average lemonade stand or tip jar. Since its inception back in 1963, the Baptist Health Foundation has focused on building community support and funding for a wide variety of projects. The Baptist Health system is the state’s largest not-for-profit health care organization, with a network that includes approximately 11,000 employees across 11 hospitals, a number of urgent, primary and specialty care clinics, and several community outreach programs.

Foundation support has touched every corner of this expansive network over the years, including scholarships at Baptist Health College – Little Rock – homeless outreach and wellness programs and renovations to the Baptist Health Rehabilitation Institute. The money raised is critical to keeping Baptist Health true to its not-for-profit roots and for supporting the healing ministry on which its first hospital was founded over 100 years ago.

To raise money on this scale requires more than just an impressive (and generous) contact list.

Enter: Bolo Bash, the feather in the foundation’s fundraising cap. Originally conceived as a Western-themed dinner and auction back in 1989, Bolo Bash events have raised more than $14 million

“If you’re part of the community, build the community.”

Greg Hatcher of The Hatcher Agency is the first-ever recipient of the Bolo Bash’s ‘Power of Purpose’ award.

“We’ve personally experienced the benefits of the care that Baptist provides.”

for the system in the decades since. The annual outing has evolved a little over the years –– bolo ties and cowboy hats are optional now, and dinner has turned into lunch –– but Bolo Bash remains a cornerstone of the Little Rock social calendar and a crucial part of Baptist Health Foundation’s fundraising efforts.

Of course, the event has not been without its challenges. The last thing a large in-person fundraising event needs is a global pandemic putting gatherings on ice. Bolo Bash was held virtually in 2020, and donations did take a slight dip as a result, but a strong network of donors and the hard work of the team at Baptist kept funding levels consistent overall.

In 2021, a sudden spike of COVID-19 cases in the state again forced organizers to cancel the luncheon at the last minute. This time, a bit of creativity from the organizers at Baptist led to the adoption of a “curbside” model. Renowned Little Rock chef Donnie Ferneau, who is also at the helm of this year’s menu, was able to pivot and provide to-go box lunches for guests who had already paid for their table at the event. The Bolo Bash cochairs –– along with Baptist Health CEO Troy Wells, his wife Mary, and a team of Baptist Health faithfuls –– handed out the travelready meals and visited with donors.

As a testament to just how successful the foundation has been at building up community support, sponsors allowed Baptist Health to keep the fundraised money despite the event’s cancellation, which ensured that last year’s cause –– breast cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment –– still received a generous amount of funding.

What’s more, recent upticks in financial struggles and health crises actually highlight just how vital the Baptist Health Foundation’s efforts are for so many Arkansans – now more than ever. Thankfully, better things are on the horizon: Just in time for its 33rd annual run, Bolo Bash is officially back in-person.

The money raised is critical to keeping Baptist Health true to its not-for-profit roots and for supporting the healing ministry on which its first hospital was founded over 100 years ago.

Photo courtesy of Baptist Health.

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A shiny new gem in the Bolo Bash crown is the Power of Purpose honoree. Celebrated at the beginning of the luncheon, this award will recognize a member of the community who has gone above and beyond to advance Baptist Health’s mission. This year, that honoree is Greg Hatcher – author, philanthropist and founder of the Hatcher Agency. With decades of experience in the health insurance industry, Hatcher knows the value of quality care. He has chaired a number of boards, including that of the Baptist Health Foundation, where he now serves as an advisory member.

Hatcher’s penchant for giving back to the community began in his college years. He pledged then to donate at least 10% of every dollar he earned, and as his career took off, he and his business were able to give even more. He was named Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year in 2015, and it’s clear to see why. He and his wife, Lee, frequently open their home for charity events and have been involved with

Bolo Bash for many years. In fact, the Bolo Bash reception, which takes place the evening before the luncheon, is being held at the Hatchers’ home.

Hatcher put his philosophy on giving succinctly, stating, “If you’re part of the community, build the community.”

His connection to Baptist Health and this year’s area of purpose goes beyond Bolo Bash as well. Hatcher has four daughters, and he is heavily involved in promoting youth sports throughout the state. He has even taken clients of his to the hospital before, and he testifies that “a few of my clients and family members’ lives have been saved by the people at Baptist.”

“They truly are a healing ministry with the patient at heart,” Hatcher says.

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Headlining the bash each year are both a keynote speaker and a celebrity moderator, and in keeping with this year’s area of purpose, Bolo Bash is placing an emphasis on uplifting women. The luncheon will feature a fashion show put on by designer Jude Connally, a respected icon in women’s clothing. Connally focuses on comfort and style for women of all shapes and sizes, and her clothing can be found in Dillard’s stores and specialty boutiques across the country. She wants to break the stigma around certain patterns, colors and cuts in order to help people realize that fashionable clothing is for every body.

This year’s other headlining guest is no small get either. Kevin Frazier, co-host of “Entertainment Tonight,” will host the luncheon and hold a conversation with Connally while nurses, former patients and other Baptist Health employees, model some of the designer’s favorite looks.

In addition to bringing in these giants of fashion and entertainment, the folks at the Baptist Health Foundation are making this year’s silent auction one to show up and show out for. Along with a vast selection of inspired merchandise from presenting sponsor Dillard’s, eight all-inclusive trips are up for the taking. Two trips are domestic and six are international, including one to Greece. Guests who cannot make it to the luncheon can still send a proxy to the silent auction, and there is no better way to justify a bidding war than knowing that all the money is benefitting women and children across the state.

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The upcoming event is also especially exciting for Bolo Bash’s four co-chairs: J.R. and Dr. Jamie Bizzell, and Lauren and Nate Steel.

J.R. Bizzell is the senior vice president of Risk Management at the financial services firm Stephens, Inc. Jamie Bizzell, MD, works as an otolaryngological (ear, nose and throat) surgeon at the Arkansas Otolaryngology Center. Lauren Steel is a principal with the private investment group Firmament and Nate Steel is a lawyer and founder of Steel Wright Gray, PLLC. Lauren and J.R. also serve on the Baptist Health Foundation’s board of trustees.

Both couples also chaired last year’s event and say they are thrilled to return and (finally) throw the Bash in-person.

“The experience, being able to sit in the room with people, is a big part of it,” Lauren says. “Last year, we did what we had to do, but we felt like we could do more.”

The foursome also have personal connections to this year’s area of purpose –– women’s and children’s health care. All of the Steel and Bizzell children were delivered, and the Bizzells’ daughter, now 4 years old, spent time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) there (omit) after she was born.

“She had a rough start,” J.R. says, “even though you wouldn’t know it now. We’ve personally experienced the benefits of the care that Baptist provides.” The main role of the cochairs is to expand the reach of the foundation

The luncheon will feature a fashion show by iconic women’s clothing designer, Jude Connally.

Connally’s clothing can be found in Dillard’s stores and specialty boutiques across the country.

by spreading the Bolo Bash message far and wide. More tickets, donations and sponsorships equates directly to more lives that canbe touched by the foundation and the Baptist Health system. Advocating for Baptist’s healing ministry and making contact with those who might be moved to donate to this year’s cause are key objectives for the Bizzells and the Steels, who have used their personal connections to reach out to people possibly not involved previously.

Of course, there is also the small detail of putting on a beloved Little Rock tradition while keeping any hiccups to a minimum. To that end, the couples made it clear that teamwork is what keeps things moving along.

“Baptist is a well-run organization. They know how to put on events,” J.R. says “It’s really a team effort, and it comes down to figuring out where we can help.”

This year’s luncheon will be held for the first time at The Venue at Westwind, a premier venue in North Little Rock, whose staff have relieved some of that event-planning-induced stress.

The co-chairs emphasize that ultimately their goal and that of everyone involved in Bolo Bash, is to further the Baptist Health mission, which comes down to engaging with new people and getting the Baptist Health Foundation message across any way they can.

‘The most rewarding part is being able to give in a material way,” says Lauren. “People who have money, give money. People who have time, give time. The

Foundation helps people realize where they can give and have an impact.”

J.R. and Jamie echo this sentiment with a statement that all at the foundation endorse: “We want Baptist Health to succeed.”

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This year, proceeds from the Bolo Bash festivities will bolster health care for women and children throughout the state. As a leader in this area, Baptist Health delivers 7,000 babies annually, system wide.

According to Baptist, more than 30% of those new parents are on Medicaid or uninsured, highlighting the importance of providing quality care regardless of financial means.

Unfortunately, those funds are also especially needed given the state of women’s and children’s health care in Arkansas. Different organizations use different metrics to rank health care across the nation, but Arkansas is consistently ranked lowest, or close to lowest, in maternal and infant mortality rates.

According to a 2020 report by the Arkansas Maternal Mortality Review Committee, “92% of pregnancy- related deaths were considered potentially preventable.” Coupled with the fact that a large number of Arkansans avoid seeking health care due to the cost, it is clear that Baptist Health and the Baptist Health Foundation are addressing an area of urgent need.

“Having the resources to improve outcomes is so important,” Lauren says.

The support that Baptist Health provides for new mothers and their families goes beyond the walls of the maternity ward, however. Through the Blessings for Babies program, the Baptist Health Foundation provides free lodging for families whose newborn requires an extended stay in the NICU. This program allows mothers and family members to stay close to their child during a period of uncertainty and gives them one less thing to worry about. Additionally, the foundation’s Psalm 91 program supports families and patients at Baptist Health who are not able to pay for general necessities, such as hotel rooms, meals, travel and equipment vital to their recovery.

With funds raised this year, Baptist Health plans to renovate and expand its maternal and infant areas, including the NICU, and to strengthen its ability to care for more women and children statewide.

Lena Hayes, chief development officer of the Baptist Health Foundation, summed up what sets Baptist Health apart and allows the health system to fulfill its healing ministry.

“It’s the three C’s,” Hayes explains, “compassionate care, comprehensive care, and cultivating committed caregivers.”

The funds raised by the foundation touch on each of these three tenets. One way compassionate care is achieved occurs via support for the various outreach programs the health system runs, like Blessings for Babies and Psalm 91. Comprehensive care hinges on Baptist Health’s ability to renovate spaces and invest in innovative medical equipment that raises the level of care available.

Perhaps most crucial among the foundation’s work is cultivating committed caregivers. Training the next generation of nurses and other health care professionals is an ongoing process, and the commitment to care that Baptist Health’s nurses embody cannot

be taught from a textbook. This commitment revolves around a culture of compassion, and Baptist Health’s ability to cultivate that kind of environment depends heavily on support from the foundation.

“We actually have an anonymous donor covering the cost of training LPNs to become RNs,” Hayes adds.

Given rampant stories of health care burnout in the past few years, making education more accessible to its caregivers is one way that Baptist Health combats personnel shortages and ensures a new generation of healers is always just around the corner.

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The 2022 Bolo Bash is sure to bring out the best and brightest of Arkansas fundraising, both as a celebration of being in-person again and as a reminder of how important it is to support Baptist Health’s mission in any way possible. Looking to the future, Hayes and the team at the Baptist Health Foundation are focused on keeping their fundraising efforts closely aligned with Baptist’s strategic priorities as a whole. “We’re not a business. We’re a healing ministry,” Hayes says, and she explains why events like Bolo Bash –– and philanthropic support more broadly –– prove such a key part of the foundation’s strategy.

“None of us can achieve these goals alone,” she adds. “There are a lot of opportunities to give, and it’s mutually beneficial because we want people to feel good about making an impact together with Baptist Health.”

A ticket to the luncheon on Oct. 12 costs $300, which includes a ticket to the more intimate reception setting with Jude Connally Zimmerman at the Hatcher’s home the evening before. Tickets to only the reception cost $75. Donations and sponsorships can be made on the Baptist Health Foundation’s website. A majority of the ticket prices are tax-deductible, and, combined with great food, great fashion and an even greater cause, this year’s Bolo Bash is a must on anyone’s calendar.

“There are a lot of opportunities to give, and it’s mutually beneficial because we want people to feel good about making an impact together with Baptist Health.”

Kevin Frazier, co-host of “Entertainment Tonight” will be the emcee of the 2022 Bolo Bash.