Turning Point fundraiser, SouthArk Outdoor Expo around the corner

Expo: Joey McBride, left, and Travis Caudell of the group Ace's Wild perform during the 2017 SouthArk Outdoor Expo. File photo
Expo: Joey McBride, left, and Travis Caudell of the group Ace's Wild perform during the 2017 SouthArk Outdoor Expo. File photo

Two events raising money for local organizations will be held in El Dorado in the next two weeks.

The first, a fundraiser for Turning Point of South Arkansas, is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday at the College Avenue Church of Christ’s Family Life Center. The event will feature New York Times best-selling author Janine Latus as the keynote speaker. Latus is the author if “If I Am Missing or Dead,” a story about her murdered sister and her own experiences with domestic violence.

“She delivers a pretty power-packed message,” event organizer Cheryl Howell said. “Her focus is awareness and action, and that’s our message: to be aware. We have a responsibility to each other as a community to be aware of what’s going on around us. That’s Janine’s message, becoming action-

oriented.”

Funds raised will benefit the nonprofit, which educates individuals about domestic violence and provides support services for victims of domestic abuse. Attire is business casual. Tickets are $20 a piece, and tables are available for $400. To purchase tickets, call 870-862-3672 or visit the Turning Point office at 900 E. First in El Dorado. Donations can also be made by texting the word “turningpoint” to 44-321. Follow the texted link to give.

• Outdoor Expo: South Arkansas Community College is hosting its 21st annual Outdoor Expo Sept. 7, complete with exhibits, live music, food, vendors and more. The event, which will be held at SouthArk’s west campus, in and around the El Dorado Conference Center, begins with the Major Ronald Wayne Culver Hero 5k Walk/Run at 7:30 a.m.

Vendors — some 70-80 of them — will set up inside the conference center to sell fishing equipment, hunting gear and other outdoors products. Five food trucks will be on hand to keep attendees well fed: Candley’s Cookin’, Juicy J Chicken & Fish, What’z Poppin’ Kettle Corn, Kong Ice and RJs Sports Bar & Grill. There will also be a rib cookoff.

Live music will be provided by the Cummins Prison Band, Aces Wild and LB Crew. Children’s events include archery, air rifle target shooting, face painting and a magic show.

The Expo is free to attend, although organizers are asking attendees to bring a canned or packed food item for the Interfaith Help Services Food Pantry. Money raised through sponsorships and booth and contest fees by the event will benefit the new SouthArk Stars basketball team and scholarships.

For more information about the event, visit www.southarkexpo.com.

News-Times reporter Caitlan Butler contributed to this story.

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