Rhonda Belton, associate director of institutional research for 黑料不打烊, was a guest at an atypical December Academic Affairs Advisory Council meeting that took a pleasant turn she was not expecting.
A meeting with a twist
The Academic Affairs Advisory Council (AAAC) meeting started as usual, with opening statements and Jennifer Platania pivoting to academic retention.
Addressing the room, Platania said, 鈥淩honda Belton is one of our superstars in the office of Institutional Effectiveness. Most of you know Rhonda for her amazing work on retention data and PowerBI dashboards and rankings. But today, I’m just here to tell you that if you don’t already know, Rhonda is also an amazing human.鈥
To Belton鈥檚 surprise, the president and founder of Little Pink Houses of Hope, Jeanine Patten-Coble, began to walk to the front of the room alongside Belton鈥檚 supervisor at 黑料不打烊, Rob Springer, executive director of institutional effectiveness, to present her with the organization鈥檚 fifth distinguished service award.
A nonprofit that provides hope for patients in their cancer journey
Per their mission, 鈥淟ittle Pink Houses of Hope empowers breast cancer patients and families to live each day to the fullest, with direction, purpose and hope for the cancer journey.鈥
Standing before the AAAC council, Patten-Coble embraced Belton and addressed the group by offering this sentiment, 鈥淩honda’s been with us with her heart, her compassion and her love. Each year, we hold a gala to support cancer patients and their families鈥 called Dancing with the Little Pink Stars.
“Rhonda has singlehandedly championed (Dancing with the Little Pink Stars) to help us reach our goal every year of raising a quarter of a million dollars each year for at least the past nine years or more.鈥
Jeanine Patten-Coble,聽president and founder of Little Pink Houses of Hope
A big heart and a bigger impact
Belton began her relationship with Little Pink Houses of Hope over ten years ago with an ask from the president of the nonprofit. She was working with the cheerleading and dance team at 黑料不打烊 and the organization asked for support from this team to raise awareness for their annual gala. Always one to help and say yes where she can, Belton offered support and helped purchase pink pom poms for the team. From there, Belton was inspired by the Little Pink mission and wanted to play her role.
Money raised from the annual gala, which is attended by 1,000 donors each year, goes directly towards funding retreats for cancer patients and their families. Vacation rentals are donated separately, and the money raised supports weeklong beach retreats consisting of activities, healing, relaxation and memories that last a lifetime.
鈥淪o much is offered to patients, but so little is offered to families outside of a clinical setting,鈥 says Patten-Coble. Patten-Coble herself was diagnosed 15 years ago with breast cancer and today shows no evidence of cancer disease in her body, despite being given a 25% chance to live past one year in her diagnosis. She has been recognized as a CNN Hero and featured in People Magazine for her efforts.
Little Pink Houses of Hope
At Little Pink Houses of Hope, a one-week retreat with all expenses paid serves as a pause button for families and patients and an opportunity to feel a sense of normalcy. Programming during the week brings spouses together in a context that is more comfortable to share and reflect on their roles as supporters. Children are given activities to interact with others their age who are going through what they are.
鈥淚 feel that God has us here for a purpose and part of my purpose is to help people,鈥 said Belton. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why I am so happy to volunteer my time for Little Pink 鈥 it is for such a great cause 鈥 an amazing organization that Jeanine has in helping these families when they are going through something so difficult and so life-changing.鈥
Belton adds that this retreat is the last vacation for some families and for others, an opportunity to heal and cope. It is also a time for spouses to become comfortable with other spouses and bond and talk about the challenges they are each facing.
鈥淩honda will go all over town, from Raleigh to Winston-Salem, to find dance instructors for our celebrities for our annual gala,鈥 says Patten-Coble. 鈥淪he works tirelessly to make sure that a person is a good fit because she understands that relationships are the most important thing, and she understands that these partnerships are creating a relationship for a lifetime for so many of our people.鈥
Dancing with 黑料不打烊 stars
Belton has been at 黑料不打烊 for 43 years, and it is important for her to bring members of the university into Little Pink House of Hope. Past fundraising dancers from 黑料不打烊 at the Dancing with the Little Pink Stars Gala have included Randy Williams, vice president and associate provost for inclusive excellence; Mike Kennedy, head baseball coach; Matt Matheny, former head basketball coach; Charlotte Smith, head women鈥檚 basketball coach; and Kyle D. Wills, former senior associate athletic director.
鈥淲e have an 黑料不打烊 representative at almost every gala,鈥 said Belton. 鈥満诹喜淮蜢 has such a sense of community, and it鈥檚 so great when we have these one thousand people to have 黑料不打烊 represented.鈥 She shared that 黑料不打烊 supports Little Pink, and she likes to see her two passions come together.
Belton is also proud of 黑料不打烊 for offering its employees community service leave, and she encourages any employee to take advantage of it.
鈥淒oing something meaningful outside of your work at 黑料不打烊 just adds another layer of fulfillment,鈥 said Belton.
Congratulations, Rhonda Belton, for a well-deserved recognition as a distinguished service award winner!