Red Jacket Ball 2009

Bestowing the "Lifetime of Service" Award from City Year Little Rock/North Little Rock can't be an easy task. Much like the highest honors from other area non-profits, there are committees and meetings and much deliberation on what integral Arkansas individual will be awarded the prestigious tribute. For the Red Jacket Ball 2009, Thomas F. "Mack" McLarty will be marked with the distinction of giving his life to public service, by recognition as an Arkansan who has helped his home state by opening doors across the world.

Thomas F. McLarty has a distinguished record of business leadership and public service, including various roles advising three U.S. Presidents: Bill Clinton, George H. W. Bush, and Jimmy Carter. Mr. McLarty, known as "Mack" to close friends, worked with President Carter as a member of the Democratic National Committee, was appointed to two commissions by President Bush, and served President Clinton in several key positions: Chief of Staff, Counselor to the President, and Special Envoy for the Americas, with over five years of service in the President's Cabinet and on the National Economic Council.

Mack's wife, Donna Cochran McLarty, is a longtime advocate for the arts and humanities and has been a leader in national and international efforts to support women, children and families. The McLartys divide their time between Little Rock, Hope and Washington, D.C. They have two sons: Mark, who lives and works in Hong Kong; and Franklin, vice president of the McLarty Companies in Little Rock.

City Year presents the 4th Annual Red Jacket Ball, this year honoring Mack as a champion of the use of public-private partnerships to solve key social issues, for his lifetime of service to the citizens of Arkansas. Though it is a young organization, City Year's "Lifetime of Service Award" is certainly synonymous to other recognizable achievement awards. The future of this event stands on the crowning achievement of the lifetimes of dedicated Arkansans, and City Year wants nothing more than to encourage others to keep giving.

While the event is dubbed the "Red Jacket Ball," organizers want individuals to know that the attire is more cocktail than formal. Each year, the committee plans a night that will not only allow attendees to enjoy themselves, but will inform, educate and inspire Little Rock and central Arkansas residents. "This is what we do," Mary Lewis, director of development for the organization, remarked over coffee recently. "We tutor and mentor kindergarten through second grade students, and we want to educate the community about our work."

City Year, under the direction of new executive director Shannon Burler, hopes to turn around education in the underdeveloped communities in central Arkansas. "Part of the purpose of the Ball is to grow fundraising dollars to help us be in all the schools we need to be in," Mary added. To help raise the desired funds, there will be, of course, a wonderfully themed silent auction. Specialty tables, boasting auction items from six categories, decorated and organized by table captains. The various categories, will present bidders with succinct goodies on which to bid. The tables include items based around the following themes: Arkansas; Dallas Cowboys; Spa/Girls packages; Washington, D.C.; Hunting; and Route 66. Mary ensures that there will be "more packages than solitary items" in the auction, ensuring bidders get more bang for their buck. Most excitingly, a Harley motorcycle will be up for auction, as part of the Route 66 theme.

Corps members, 17-24 year olds who give a year of their life to help the community around them, will again be present at the event. Co-chairing the festivities this year are Herren Hickingbotham, another seasoned business leader in the Arkansas community, and Mr. McLarty's son, Franklin. "Mack is a friend whom I have admired and respected since the first time we met," Herren revealed through a recent email conversation. "He has been a dear friend to our family and served on the TCBY board of directors before serving in the White House for President Clinton... an outstanding leader and business man and has always been committed to our State and to central Arkansas. He is one of the finest men in our state," he frankly stated. "I am proud he is my friend."

Saturday, May 2, 2009
Wally Allen Ballroom, Statehouse Convention Center
6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Cocktail Hour + Silent Auction
7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Program + Dinner
9:00 - 10:00 p.m. Live Entertainment
For more information, please contact Mary Lewis, Development Director, at 501.707.1422 or mlewis@cityyear.org

Quick Facts About City Year:

City Year unites young people of all backgrounds for a year of full-time service, giving them the skills and opportunities to change the world. As tutors, mentors, and role models, these young leaders make a difference in the lives of children and transform schools and neighborhoods in both Little Rock and North Little Rock.

One of City Year's newest sites, City Year Little Rock/North Little Rock began in 2004 and is currently celebrating its fifth anniversary of service to both cities. Led by a highly engaged advisory board and supported by a growing alumni network, City Year Little Rock/North Little Rock has worked hard to meet Central Arkansas communities' most critical needs.

The 2008-2009 program year brings 30 young leaders to Little Rock and North Little Rock. Primarily serving at-risk youth in three partner elementary schools, each corps member will complete more then 1,700 hours of community service over a 10-month period.

Whole School, Whole Child

City Year's signature service model, Whole School, Whole Child uses a three-pronged, integrated approach to serve the needs of elementary school students: academic support, positive school climate, and afterschool programming.

Young Heroes

A civics-based program for middle school-aged youth, Young Heroes meets over 16 Saturdays from January through May. Young Heroes learn about issues affecting their communities and work on those issues through service initiatives.

All Corps Service Days

Twice a month, the City Year corps engages in a day of transformative community service. This day demonstrates service-in-action through service projects that build community. Each project provides the opportunity for corps and community and corporate partners make a difference together.

Special Programs

Throughout the service year, City Year invigorates the community through special events and programs. These include special service days such as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Camp City Year during the week of spring break.