Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
West Chester Charity Ball set Dec. 1
Friends Association for the Care & Protection of Children invites guests to the West Chester Charity Ball.
WEST CHESTER » On Saturday, Dec. 1, from 6:30 p.m. until 11 p.m., Friends Association for the Care & Protection of Children invites guests to its 30th Annual West Chester Charity Ball at the West Chester Golf and Country Club.
Last year, Friends Association helped 270 children and 122 families overcome homelessness. A feat that might not have been possible if not for the amount raised at the West Chester Charity Ball — the association’s largest fundraiser. Replete with gourmet food, wine, music, a lively auction and attendance of the crème de la crème of society, the event has grown on to become one of the most awaited events in town. And this year, it celebrates 30 years since its inception.
The year 1988 ushered in a new era in Chester County with the inaugural West Chester Charity Ball held at the New Century Club. The puffy dresses, big hair and The Moonwalk of yesteryear may have faded into the past, but the Charity Ball is still going strong.
“This holiday gala, part of West Chester’s Old Fashioned Christmas, is essential in funding the important work Friends Association does to improve the community. All proceeds benefit the mission of Friends Association for Care and Protection of Children: preventing and ending family homelessness in our community. Thousands of families have been helped throughout the past three decades,” said Catherine Friedman, Executive Director.
“The Ball was started by a local group of charitable community leaders to be the final event of the borough of West Chester’s Old Fashioned Christmas. It was a unique several day celebration of Christmas in the borough of West Chester that featured a real hometown parade — concerts at local churches and the finale, the Charity Ball,” added Valerie Jester, a guest at the 1988 ball and past chairman and committee member of the West Chester Charity Ball.
When it began, the Ball’s mission was to raise funds for local children’s’ charities in the West Chester community. “The committee chose different charities that aided women and children of West Chester every year that would receive the Ball’s proceeds. Past recipients include: Chester County Family Academy, West Chester’s PAL, Maternal and Child Health Consortium, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Chester County to name a few,” recounted Jester. Today, it exclusively helps raise funds for Friends Association.
Friends Association for Care and Protection of Children is proud to honor West Chester community with the 2018 Friend of the Community Award.
“This year will honor our West Chester Community for all they do to help our families experiencing homelessness. In addition to raising funds for our three homeless programs, hundreds of donors and volunteers go above and beyond to ensure our families’ needs are met. Our individual and corporate sponsors answer the call on a daily basis from maintaining our shelters, donating and organizing housing supplies, school back packs and holiday gifts for our families to name a few! Over 92 percent of our families leave our program with a lease in their name thanks to our community,” explained Friedman.
“We are grateful to the community for supporting this important event that helps to support the families we serve. It is so great to see guests reinforcing our work through their generosity. With everyone’s help, we were able to raise crucial funds for our programs,” said Friedman.
“This year’s Charity Ball brings a night full of sensational entertainment, featuring celebrity emcee Craig Smith of QVC, and exceptional live and silent auctions. Enjoy a delectable dinner and festive cocktails while dancing the night away to The Midnight Hour Band featuring Pepper Duffy,” added Friedman.
For more information about tickets, sponsorships, and Friends Association, visit www.friendsassoc.org.