Two fun events this fall — A Night in Las Vegas and a Charity Golf Scramble — will help raise money for Ronald McDonald House Arkansas & North Louisiana.
Money raised helps care for families whose children are being treated in nearby hospitals, at Ronald McDonald Houses and Ronald McDonald House Family Rooms.
First up on Sept. 28 is the Golf Scramble at Pleasant Valley Country Club presented by Tyson Foods. Chairmen for this event are Keith McGeorge and Ryder Pierce.
McGeorge, a managing partner and financial adviser at Retirement Advisors of Arkansas, started volunteering with Ronald McDonald House about seven years ago. He says he started by helping cook dinners for the families staying at the house.
“From there it grew into something much bigger,” he says. “I’m part of a competition barbecue team, and we started using that passion to help Ronald McDonald House by cooking for some of their larger events, including Blue Jeans & Bubbles. Over the years, I’ve gotten more involved with the organization, and it’s become something that means a lot to me.”
Pierce, an executive vice president and investment manager at Bank OZK, is serving for his third year on the Golf Scramble committee. Before then, he had no prior experience with the charity, which he says is encouraging for those looking to get involved but don’t know where to start.
So, what exactly is a Golf Scramble?
“A golf scramble is a tournament-style golf event where four people make up a team,” says Pierce, explaining that the nontraditional rules lead to lower scores and a more relaxed environment.
“Each player on the team hits a shot, the team chooses the best one, and then everyone hits their next shot from that spot,” McGeorge says. “You continue that process until the ball is in the hole. It makes the tournament fun for golfers of all skill levels. You certainly want to play well, but you don’t have to be a great golfer to participate and have a good time. The bigger focus is on spending the day together, having some fun and supporting a great cause.”
The day will include breakfast and lunch, and there will be various games for players at different holes throughout the tournament, including a bourbon pull and Vegas-style card games. A PAR-TEE Cart will keep players stocked with drinks and snacks, and players will have the chance to win the hole-in-one prize, a new Subaru Outback valued at up to $50,000 donated by Subaru of Little Rock.
And there will be other goodies.
“We recognize the top-performing teams,” says McGeorge, “and have prizes associated with the tournament, along with some other fun competitions throughout the day. But I think most of the people who participate understand that the real purpose of the event is raising money for Ronald McDonald House and the families it serves.”
“Ronald McDonald House is so much more than just a place for families to stay,” Pierce says. “It gives families a sense of normalcy and community during what can be one of the most difficult times of their lives.”
McGeorge says that “when a family is dealing with a sick or injured child, the last things they should have to worry about is where they’re going to sleep, how they’re going to afford a hotel, or where their next meal is coming from. RMHC helps take some of those burdens off their shoulders so they can focus on what matters most — being there for their child.”
“Our goal this year is to raise $165,000 through sponsorships and teams participating in the tournament,” McGeorge says about the Scramble, “and we’ve essentially come close to reaching that goal.”
For a flashier fundraiser, A Night in Las Vegas will be held on Oct. 1 at Dreamland Ballroom, a new venue for the annual fundraiser.
Bailey Clark, chief operating officer for Flexion Point, Inc., and a talent recruiter for Arkansas Talent Group, is chairwoman of this year’s Las Vegas-style fundraiser.
Clark says she became involved with Ronald McDonald House when last year’s chairwoman Stephanie Shine, co-founder of Arkansas Talent Group, invited her to be on the committee. “She graciously passed the torch to me to chair the event this year.”
After two years volunteering, Clark says she hopes to be a lifelong volunteer for the organization.
A lot of fun and games have been planned for the evening with the theme Cirque in Residence.
“We will have Vegas casino-style table games. Chips won at those can be used for auction items. We’ll also have some live entertainment, including a jazz band, carnival games, a flame-thrower and tarot card reader.”
There will also be carnival-style food, cocktails and mocktails.
She says the goal for the event is to raise at least $80,000.
“One hundred percent of the event’s proceeds will go directly toward supporting the families that stay at the Ronald McDonald House, a home away from home for more than 3,200 families each year.
“Night in Vegas is truly an event where everyone who’s involved wins. For the cost of one ticket, you’re getting access to a fabulously fun evening with great networking, food and drinks, while simultaneously contributing to a wonderful cause.”
The Golf Scramble begins at 7 a.m., Sept. 28 at Pleasant Valley County Club. A Night in Las Vegas is 6-10 p.m., Oct. 1 at Dreamland Ballroom. For more information on either event visit ronaldmcdonaldhousearnla.org or email Alex Hudson at alex@ronaldmcdonaldhousearnla.org.
Ryder Pierce, Bailey Clark and Keith McGeorge on 08/18/2026 at Ronald McDonald House for High Profile volunteer story.
(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Cary Jenkins)
Cary Jenkins has been employed with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette since 1998. She started as a clerk for the City Desk and now is a writer and photographer for High Profile and other feature sections.