Featured

Champion for CF

Recognized as last year’s Todd Miles Award recipient, Deanna Jones remains dedicated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and its work to find a cure for the disease.

By Jillian McGehee | Photography by Meredith Melody | Hair by Brandy Bearry with Salon Scarlet | Makeup by Kristin Gaynor with Pout

As one of Little Rock’s premier young professionals events, Taste of the Finest honors the best and brightest for their civic leadership and commitment to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Deanna Jones, municipal trading assistant for Crews & Associates, was last year’s Todd Miles Award recipient – recognizing her as the top fundraiser of this prestigious group as well as the memory of Todd Miles, who lost his battle with CF at 40 years old. This initial introduction to the foundation solidified her dedication and devotion to funding and finding a cure for this disease.

Taste of the Finest showcases some of the Capital City’s most delicious eateries along with local craft beers and live entertainment by Tragikly White. This year, Deanna is responsible for the coordinating details and logistics of the participating restaurants. “We are so excited about all of the restaurants this year, many have been involved with us throughout the years,” she says. “The event wouldn’t be a success without the amazing and delicious treats that they bring every year.”

New to this year’s tasting extravaganza are the people’s choice awards: The Golden Fork and The Gold Brew. Guests will have the opportunity to vote via social media for their favorite restaurant and brewery of the night, and the winners in each category will take home a trophy for the year. It’s a traveling trophy, so each year it will be up for grabs, Deanna explains.

Deanna didn’t know much about CF when Crews & Associates nominated her to represent the company in the 2015 Taste of the Finest. She relished the opportunity to learn about the disease and realized just how many people are affected by it. She quickly discovered friends and colleagues who know CF patients. “Because I care about those friends, I care about their siblings, their children, their friends who are fighting every day to win the battle against CF – my support for the foundation continues.”

Cystic fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that creates mucus in the lungs and causes persistent lung infections. It is the No. 1 genetic killer of children in the United States. Established nationally in 1955 as a funding mechanism for research and drug development, the CF Foundation continues its mission fulfillment work to find a cure the disease and to provide all people with the disease the opportunity to lead full, productive lives with better access to specialized care.

Taste of the Finest honorees not only support this life-saving research, they become advocates for the CF Foundation with longevity that is priceless. Deanna notes, “When Taste of the Finest ended last year, I knew I wanted to stay involved because so many rely on the work that the foundation funds to help them live everyday lives and to find a cure.”

 

Inviting Arkansas

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Stay up-to-date on our latest news!