Childhelp Wings Chairs Have Heart for Children
With so many demands on time and resources, what drives people toward service to one organization over another?
For Abby Leadon and Alexis Earnhardt, co-chairs of the April 8 Childhelp Wings Fashion Show Luncheon, the reasons to commit to Childhelp were simple: the children – and Arizona. Money raised at the event, which features local celebrities and children on the runway, helps Arizona children who have suffered abuse.
“Sometimes you don’t know where your money goes,” Leadon says. “That these funds stay in our own backyard is a good thing.”
One of the largest child abuse prevention, intervention and treatment organizations in the country, Childhelp has helped more than 10 million children over its 59 years. In Arizona in 2017, it served more than 7,000 Arizona children through the Childhelp Children’s Advocacy Center of Arizona Dedicated to Linda Pope.
HEARTS FOR ARIZONA CHILDREN
Leadon and Earnhardt both have hearts for children – and Arizona.
Kory and Abby Leadon
Leadon says her family’s history is “on Lincoln Drive.” At age 10, her mother, Gail Traister, moved to Arizona with her mother and her sister, Jean Marley. Leadon’s mother and father met at Camelback Inn and got married there. The former retail manager at the OMNI Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Montelucia, Leadon and her husband, Kory, married at the Montelucia. Last year, she co-chaired the Wings Luncheon with Tiffany Quayle at the Montelucia. This year, the event is at the Camelback Inn.
Earnhardt’s family is pure Arizona on both sides. She grew up in Chandler, where her father’s family were long-time cotton farmers. Her mother’s father was part of the Basha family and helped grow the family’s grocery business. This grandfather, Sonny Felix, was best friends with Tex Earnhardt, founder of Earnhardt Auto Centers and grandfather of Bull Earnhardt, the man Alexis eventually would meet in high school through her cousin and later marry. “Chandler was so small back then that everyone knew everyone,” she says.
The co-chair duo have been involved with Childhelp since Tiffany Quayle invited them to join the Wings committee three years ago. Leadon says the organization’s mission hit home for her was when she visited the Childhelp Advocacy Center. A significant aspect of the center to her is that the help abused children need is all in one place – from doctors to police to therapists. “The children only have to tell their story one time,” she notes.
Alexis and Bull Earnhardt with their daughters, Estee, 7, and Evalee, 4
Earnhardt values her childhood growing up in Chandler, and now that she is a mother to two daughters, Estee, 7, and Evalee, 4, her heart is all the more moved by the children at the center. “To know that I can help in some way makes me want to get involved.”
The committee they chair includes 30 members. They accomplish their planning in just three meetings. In addition to attending the luncheon, each donates three auction times.
“Everyone is busy,” Earnhardt says, “but this is manageable.” The commitment is for three years, and that term slightly changes the committee each year. The beauty of the plan is that while some of the women are experienced committee members, some are new. They learn from each other.
12th ANNUAL CHILDHELP WINGS FASHION SHOW LUNCHEON
Leadon, Earnhardt and their committee have chosen “Secret Garden” as the theme of this year’s luncheon. “We wanted something beautiful and lush to walk into,” Leadon says.
No doubt the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn ballroom will be lush: White House Design Studio will be creating a décor that features green, dusty rose and lavender.
It also will be lively: Auctioneer Letitia Frye will urge on the live auction bidding, and guests will enjoy watching local celebrities from Dan Quayle to former pro football player Adam Archuleta modeling fashions from Dillard’s, Mae & Marie, Loop Jean Co. and Amy Inc. on the runway. Plus, there will be children, who are welcome – and do – attend the family-friendly occasion.
The Childhelp Heart of an Angel Award will be presented to the Kennedy family. The daughter, Kayla, trained Jazzy, a service dog the family then placed with Childhelp.
ABC 15’s Nick Ciletti and actress Kat McNamara will serve as emcees. Proceeds from the luncheon benefit Childhelp programs and services in Arizona to help fight child abuse.
12th Annual Childhelp Wings Fashion Show Luncheon
Sunday, April 8, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn
