by Karen Bagwell
Safe Night Ministries appreciates the support provided by our communities, which allows the continuation of programs focused on raising awareness and offering safety to women and children fleeing domestic abuse. Our organization hosted its first Diamond Awards in 2025 to recognize businesses, churches, and individuals who have contributed significantly to its mission. The nominees were acknowledged during the third annual Denim and Diamonds event held on Saturday, October 4th. Nominees from each category joined at the front of the stage, after which award recipients were announced by prosecuting attorney, Devon Holder.
In the business category, the four nominees were FNBC, Ozark Realty, Village Inn, and King Roads Realty. The Diamond Award was given to Village Inn (owner Nimmi Desai), who has supported the ministry since its inception by providing discounted rooms and storage for meals and personal items.
For the church category, nominees included Eutopia Baptist, Mount Zion Southern Baptist, Abundant Life, and Crossroads Baptist, with Abundant Life Church receiving the Diamond Award. Abundant Life Church has supported the ministry from the beginning and allows the use of its facilities for support groups and fundraising events.
In the individual category, nominees were Peggy Patterson, Audrey Pike, Christina Hughes Donahoe, and Isaac & Meagan Blackenship. The Diamond Award in this category went to Audrey Pike, who donates monthly, participates in
our prayer team, and supports the ministry in various ways.
A very special moment within the award ceremony was the announcement of the 2025 Advocate Diamond Award. The recipient, Erica France, started our program as a client four years ago. Erica has worked through her traumatic past, healed, and recently became an advocate for other women. All in attendance rose as Erica France accepted her award.
This fundraising event, now in its third year, has grown in attendance and offers a fun family-friendly evening featuring good food and music. The Denim & Diamonds theme encourages guests to attend in jeans or fancy attire. We always have a delightful mix of each! Approximately 200 guests attended this year.
Fundraising activities provide funds for our programs supporting domestic violence victims and their children. Our 2025 sponsorsinclude Ozark Gateway Realty, Wholistic Healing Arts, FNBC, Village Inn, First Community Bank, King Rhodes Real Estate, B&B Supply, Victims’ Rights Arkansas, White River Health, Elite Trailer Sales, Spring River Shriners Club, and NAEC. A great way to support our ministry, if not directly, would be to frequent these businesses for your needs and to let them know you approve of them supporting us.
Since its establishment, our ministry’s vision has involved collaboration with area churches as a faith-based initiative aimed at restoration. Monthly support is received from the following churches: Lighthouse Baptist, Spring River Baptist, Abundant Life, Abundant Life Ladies Bible Study, Mount Zion Southern Baptist, Eutopia Baptist, Finely Creek Baptist, First Baptist of Horseshoe Bend, Hardy United Methodist, Highland Assembly, The Cross & The Crown, Crosswords Baptist, and Union Hill Community Church. Our ministry is available to present its work to any church leadership for awareness and possible partnership.
Volunteer opportunities are available within the ministry, including roles as outreach assistants, advocates, transportation providers, and fundraising members.
For inquiries, contact:
Office: 870-955-5000
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Safe Night Ministries
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