The Boys and Girls Club of the Heartland’s Snow Ball event Saturday night at the Westwood Center was a big success, organizers said, even with a different location and set up than last year.
“Everybody looked absolutely gorgeous,” said Boys and Girls Club Chief Financial Officer Terri McCormick of those in attendance at the white dress and tie event.
“I was extremely happy with the people that were in the room,” McCormick said.
Visitors “loved the fact it was a formal event, so we will definitely do that again,” she added.
The event, overall, raised “a little over $38,000” for the Boys and Girls Club, McCormick noted.
Club officials took the opportunity to share their vision for the future with guests, including building a teen center a top priority in the three-to-five-year plan, and continuing to expand outside Poplar Bluff to other Butler County districts.
Several changes were made to this year’s event, according to staff, and the successes will help plan future events, all with the goal of supporting the continued growth of the organization.
Last year’s event, McCormick said, was held at the Black River Coliseum and had a different theme.
“We had a Christmas Masquerade last year at the Black River Coliseum and we auctioned off Christmas trees,” McCormick said. “Everybody loved that, but delivering 15 Christmas trees after the event was a huge challenge.”
Club officials this year decided to change things up, with a single tree and multiple wreaths and centerpieces up for auction instead.
“We decided this year we would tone it down and not do so many trees and instead do more wreaths and centerpieces, and I heard a lot of good feedback on that,” McCormick said.
The evening began with a social hour followed by a pork loin and chicken dinner prepared by Karon Campbell’s Tasteful Creations.
“She’s amazing to work with and her food is excellent,” said McCormick.
During the live auction, a fully-decorated, polar bear-themed Christmas tree, donated by Dennis and Jena McCoy in honor of their late son, Chad McCoy, was won by Melissa Phelan.
Wreaths and centerpieces, all donated by local businesses, were won by Mallory Robertson, Traci Barbour, Zack Stricker, Lara Moffitt, Jerrica Fox, Sarah Holt, Kurt Knodell, Candy Miller, Sherri Baker, Carla Robertson, Kim Wiseman, Betsy Mays and Ashley Lepold.
Cynthia Linville was the big winner of a diamond-cut necklace donated by Whitworth’s Gift Chest Jewelers.
McCormick said she also was happy with the change in location this year.
“This is the first time ever at Westwood for us, but she’s got us from here on out because it was fabulous,” McCormick said of the venue and its decorations.
A date already has been set for next year’s Snow Ball, McCormick said.
This year’s attendance, McCormick suspected, could have been better if it weren’t scheduled during deer season, so next year’s event will be later.
“It will be on Dec. 3 — same place, same time,” she said. “It will be a formal thing again. I think more people will come next year with us not doing it during deer season.”
Next year’s Snow Ball likely will be a black-tie event, she noted.