Missouri Delta Benefit Ball Plans Begin

By Scott Welton
scottw@standard-democrat.com

New Year’s Eve may seem like a long way off, but planning for the Missouri Delta Medical Center 2011 Benefit Ball has already started.  “In order to pull off a perfect evening, you have to plan in advance,” said Sarah Garner, co-chair for the event.  “So we’re already working on it.”  This will be the 15th Missouri Delta Medical Center Benefit Ball.

“This is the hospitals opportunity to celebrate its accomplishments, as well as raise money to benefit patients in our community,” said Sharon Urhahn, co-chair.  “Proceeds from this year’s Benefit Ball will go toward the Hologic 3D Mammography software upgrade.  It will greatly enhance our current digital mammography system.”

Traditionally the Hospital Ball, which is held every other year, is scheduled in October.  “The first time it was held on New Year’s Eve was in 2009,” Urhahn said.  “The City of Sikeston had asked us to kick off the city’s sesquicentennial year with a birthday celebration for the city.”  “There was such a tremendous response to that,” Garner said.  “Holding it on New Year’s Eve was so well received that we wanted to do it again.”

This year’s event will be held at the Sikeston Armory with “An evening on the Square” theme.  “The biggest party on New Year’s eve is on Times square in New York City, so we’re bringing a little bit of the Big Apple to Sikeston Missouri,” Garner said.  Organizers are planning decorations that include New York’s famous skyline and other icons associated with a NYC New Year’s celebration.  “Of course we’re going to have a big ball,” said Garner.

“Cocktails begin at 7pm with heavy hors d’oeuvres, Urhahn said, “and then dancing until 1am.  Entertainment for the evening will be an energetic band out of Atlanta, GA called Mo’ Sol.  They play a variety of music, including Motown, funk, soul and hip hop.”

For those looking for an earlier start for their evening or just wanting to offer additional support for the hospital, a  patron party is also being planned.  “We are going to have the patron party before the ball from 6-7pm,” Garner said.  “That is going to be at the home of Larry and Melanie DeWitt.”

While tickets don’t go on sale until September, organizers want to get the word out now so people don’t make other plans and miss out on the social event.

In addition to a regular ticket, there will be other levels of support available ranging from “Grand Central Station” to Times Square.”

With a limited number of tickets available, Urhahn recommended getting them as soon as they are available.  “The last Ball on New Year’s Eve was sold out,” she recalled.

Invitations will be sent in September as reminders, but are not required to attend.  “The ball is open to the  public, so anyone interested in going to the ball should contact us,” Garner said.

Beginning in September, for more information or to  purchase tickets, call Urhahn at 472-7329 or Garner at 472-7222.