Lee and Linda Scott to Host O Night Divine

13th Annual Charity Ball and Auction Set for December 2

Rogers, AR (August 18, 2006) - The St. Mary's Hospital Foundation is elated to announce that Lee and Linda Scott will serve as honorary hosts of O Night Divine, the Foundation's 13th Annual Charity Ball and Auction set for Saturday, December 2, 2006.

Linda Scott, who serves as a campaign advocate for the Foundation's capital campaign and Lee Scott, President and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., support Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas' effort to provide access to world-class healthcare in this growing region of the country. In June 2004, the Scotts pledged $1.25 million to the Foundation's $40 million Capital Campaign.

"It is such a blessing to have Lee and Linda Scott host this year's Charity Ball," said Clark Ellison, Executive Director of Development for Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas. "We are thrilled to have a couple with a genuine heart for their community so willing to advance the medical mission of Mercy in Northwest Arkansas."

Also new this year is the location. In year's past the Charity Ball was held inside the largest ballroom at the Embassy Suites of Northwest Arkansas, but there always seemed to be more people interested in attending than there was available space. This year, the event will move next door to the John Q. Hammons Center and inside the largest true ballroom in the state.

"The popularity of the Charity Ball made it a difficult ticket to come by in the past, but we are looking forward to opening up this signature event to a larger audience," said Linda Gaston, Special Events and Annual Giving Coordinator for Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas.

Sponsorships are still available at all levels: Presenting, $15,000; Founding, $10,000; Platinum, $5,000; Gold, $2,500: Entertainment, $1,750; and Enchanted Friends, $500/individuals only (tickets are included in the sponsorships).

Since 1993, the charity ball and auction has been a mainstay on the Northwest Arkansas social calendar. Each year, it has continued to grow and gain the support of area philanthropists, raising more than $1.1 million for medical equipment and various Mercy Health System programs including Tree of Life Family Health Center, Friends House Adult Day Care and St. Mary's Hospice. For more information about tickets or sponsorships, call 936-2934 or e-mail lgaston@roge.mercy.net.

St. Mary's Hospital Foundation is the fundraising arm of Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas, a not-for-profit faith-based health system that provides healthcare services to residents in Northwest Arkansas and Southwest Missouri. The System includes St. Mary's Hospital, The Gardens at Osage Terrace Assisted Living Facility and Mercy Medical Clinics in 22 locations throughout northwest Arkansas and southwest Missouri. Mercy is currently constructing a state-of-the-art medical campus just east of Interstate 540 off of New Hope Road in southwest Rogers. When completed in 2007, the campus will include a 350,000-square-foot medical center with 200 beds and a medical office building to accommodate 90 physicians.