Red Ball Committee Kicks Off 2006 Plans
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
The 2006 Red Ball Committee recently kicked off plans for this year's ball, scheduled May 6 at Tippecanoe Country Club.
Co-chairs for the event are Fran and Larry Allen, Cheryl and David Blakemore and Kristin and Matt Elliott.
The theme for the ball will be "Mardi Gras," commemorating the recent disasters in New Orleans and other parts of the South and the local and national Red Cross efforts in those areas. More than 60 people from the Warsaw area were sent through the Kosciusko County Chapter of the American Red Cross to hurricane disaster areas in 2005.
Proceeds from the ball go to the local chapter of the Red Cross. In the past five years of Red Balls, 2001 through 2005, the Red Cross received net proceeds of $166,700, for an average of $33,000 per year.
Larry Peppel, executive director of the local chapter, said, "This is a very significant part of our chapter revenue."
Fran Allen said, "Several have asked 'What do I wear?' Attire will be similar to that worn for Mardi Gras - like masquerading for a costume party. It's not a black-tie event. Anything goes, just make it fun."
Allen said, "We'll have auction items like in the past, tied to the theme as much as possible."
One of the highlights of this year's ball will be a King Cake. Pieces of the cake will be sold for donations, and, in the Mardi Gras tradition, one of the pieces will have a baby in it. The person who purchases that piece of cake will win a prize.
Peppel said, "We provided assistance to 48 families last year. Since February, we've responded to nine fires in the county and provided $4,000 in assistance. We couldn't provide all the services we are able to without the proceeds and support we receive from the Red Ball."
Invitations will be prepared March 28 and mailed as soon as possible, hopefully before spring break. Anyone wanting to receive an invitation may call the Red Cross, 574-267-5244, to be added to the list. Those not attending the Ball can donate by returning a contribution with the RSVP or may donate directly to the Red Cross. All direct donations should be earmarked to "Mardi Gras."
As in the past, five patron levels will be specially recognized: $5,000, Fat Tuesday; $3,000, King Cake; $2,000, Bourbon Street; $1,000, Beads & Balconies; and $500, DaBlooms. Each level will be designated by special recognition in the program and as stage ads. For more information on the levels and what is included with each, call the Red Cross. Donations of other amounts also will be accepted. Make all checks payable to American Red Cross Red Ball 2005, 320 N. Buffalo St., Warsaw, IN 46580.
Red Ball committee members not pictured include: Mr. and Mrs. Toby Buck, Jerry and Norma Ferguson, Dr. Steve and Lori Grossnickle, Dr. Thom and Zoe Howard, Scott and Felicity Lennox, Randy and Carole Lowe, Dr. Dane and Mary Louise Miller, Tony and Cathy Miller, David and Alberta Montgomery, Wayne and Betty Walston, Kevin and Gayle Westover and Chandler and Erin Williams. [[In-content Ad]]
The 2006 Red Ball Committee recently kicked off plans for this year's ball, scheduled May 6 at Tippecanoe Country Club.
Co-chairs for the event are Fran and Larry Allen, Cheryl and David Blakemore and Kristin and Matt Elliott.
The theme for the ball will be "Mardi Gras," commemorating the recent disasters in New Orleans and other parts of the South and the local and national Red Cross efforts in those areas. More than 60 people from the Warsaw area were sent through the Kosciusko County Chapter of the American Red Cross to hurricane disaster areas in 2005.
Proceeds from the ball go to the local chapter of the Red Cross. In the past five years of Red Balls, 2001 through 2005, the Red Cross received net proceeds of $166,700, for an average of $33,000 per year.
Larry Peppel, executive director of the local chapter, said, "This is a very significant part of our chapter revenue."
Fran Allen said, "Several have asked 'What do I wear?' Attire will be similar to that worn for Mardi Gras - like masquerading for a costume party. It's not a black-tie event. Anything goes, just make it fun."
Allen said, "We'll have auction items like in the past, tied to the theme as much as possible."
One of the highlights of this year's ball will be a King Cake. Pieces of the cake will be sold for donations, and, in the Mardi Gras tradition, one of the pieces will have a baby in it. The person who purchases that piece of cake will win a prize.
Peppel said, "We provided assistance to 48 families last year. Since February, we've responded to nine fires in the county and provided $4,000 in assistance. We couldn't provide all the services we are able to without the proceeds and support we receive from the Red Ball."
Invitations will be prepared March 28 and mailed as soon as possible, hopefully before spring break. Anyone wanting to receive an invitation may call the Red Cross, 574-267-5244, to be added to the list. Those not attending the Ball can donate by returning a contribution with the RSVP or may donate directly to the Red Cross. All direct donations should be earmarked to "Mardi Gras."
As in the past, five patron levels will be specially recognized: $5,000, Fat Tuesday; $3,000, King Cake; $2,000, Bourbon Street; $1,000, Beads & Balconies; and $500, DaBlooms. Each level will be designated by special recognition in the program and as stage ads. For more information on the levels and what is included with each, call the Red Cross. Donations of other amounts also will be accepted. Make all checks payable to American Red Cross Red Ball 2005, 320 N. Buffalo St., Warsaw, IN 46580.
Red Ball committee members not pictured include: Mr. and Mrs. Toby Buck, Jerry and Norma Ferguson, Dr. Steve and Lori Grossnickle, Dr. Thom and Zoe Howard, Scott and Felicity Lennox, Randy and Carole Lowe, Dr. Dane and Mary Louise Miller, Tony and Cathy Miller, David and Alberta Montgomery, Wayne and Betty Walston, Kevin and Gayle Westover and Chandler and Erin Williams. [[In-content Ad]]