2024 Miracle Ball Exceeds $1M Goal for Arkansas Children’s Hospital Expansion

(LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas) December 17, 2024 – The 19th annual Miracle Ball, a shared project of Arkansas Children’s Foundation and Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) Auxiliary, raised more than $1 million, benefiting ACH.

Members of the ACH Auxiliary support Arkansas Children’s programs by volunteering their time and generating statewide donations. Money raised from Miracle Ball will go towards the $6.25 million commitment the auxiliary made in support of the expansion project last year.

“Each year since 1967, the ACH Auxiliary has not only grown in numbers but also in heart and dedication to the children we serve,” said Brooke Hicks, ACH Auxiliary president. “We know this commitment would not be possible without the incredible support of our community, sponsors, patrons and our chairs. We are truly thankful for the role they play in making healthier tomorrows.”

Brooke and Hunter Bale served as chairs for the black-tie fundraiser, held at the newly renamed Bale Whiteside Hall (formally Children’s Hall) on the ACH campus. The Bales are deeply rooted in Little Rock and share a strong commitment to both family and community.

Hunter, a fourth-generation leader at Bale Chevrolet, is a member of the ACH Board of Directors, continuing a family legacy of service to Arkansas Children's that dates back to 1927. Brooke is an elementary school teacher who balances her dedication to education with a passion for barrel racing and caring for the cows on the family farm.

“The Bales are hardworking and committed to strengthening our community,” said Fred Scarborough, executive vice president and chief development officer at Arkansas Children's. “They have a particular passion for supporting the patients and families at Arkansas Children’s, and we are incredibly grateful for their generosity, their passion and their commitment to championing children.”

In fiscal year 2024 (July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024), Arkansas Children’s served 180,000 children — more children than ever before — and the need for services continues to grow. The $318 million expansion across Arkansas Children’s focuses on delivering better access, exceptional outcomes and improved on-campus experiences at the state’s nationally-ranked pediatric health system.

The Arkansas Children's Foundation and the ACH Auxiliary are grateful for the 2024 Miracle Ball champion sponsors Jessica and Patrick Schueck and Lexicon; and presenting sponsors Brooke and Hunter Bale, ImageWorks Commercial Interiors, and Jones & Son.

ABOUT ARKANSAS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL AUXILIARY

The Arkansas Children's Hospital Auxiliary, a member of the Arkansas Hospital Auxiliary Association, is a separate 501(c)(3) organization serving patients and families through fundraising and service projects. Founded in 1967, the Auxiliary has more than 500 members who support the hospital through many fundraising efforts, including a la Carte, Miracle Ball, Race for a Healthier Tomorrow, Playaway Gift Shop, ACHiever program and Holiday Card Project. To learn more, visit archildrens.org/auxiliary.

ABOUT ARKANSAS CHILDREN’S

Arkansas Children's is the only health care system in the state solely dedicated to caring for Arkansas' 850,000 children. The private, non-profit organization includes two pediatric hospitals, a pediatric research institute and USDA nutrition center, a philanthropic foundation, a nursery alliance, statewide clinics, and many education and outreach programs — all focused on fulfilling a promise to define and deliver unprecedented child health. Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) is a 336-bed, Magnet-recognized facility in Little Rock operating the state’s only Level I pediatric trauma center; the state's only burn center; the state's only Level IV neonatal intensive care unit; the state's only pediatric intensive care unit; the state’s only pediatric surgery program with Level 1 verification from the American College of Surgeons (ACS); and the state's only nationally recognized pediatric transport program. Arkansas Children’s is nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report in seven pediatric subspecialties (2024-2025): Cancer, Cardiology & Heart Surgery, Neonatal Care, Nephrology, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Orthopedics and Pulmonology & Lung Surgery. Arkansas Children’s Northwest (ACNW), the first and only pediatric hospital in the northwest Arkansas region, is a level IV pediatric trauma center. ACNW operates a 24-bed inpatient unit; a surgical unit with five operating rooms; outpatient clinics offering over 20 subspecialties; diagnostic services; imaging capabilities; occupational therapy services; and northwest Arkansas' only pediatric emergency department, equipped with 30 exam rooms. Generous philanthropic and volunteer engagement has sustained Arkansas Children's since it began as an orphanage in 1912, and today ensures the system can deliver on its promise of unprecedented child health. To learn more, visit archildrens.org.