This February, there will be some exciting new twists to the Beaufort Memorial Hospital Foundation’s annual Valentine Ball!
Not only will the venue be downtown for the first time ever, but, in addition, the Foundation has added an elegant Cocktail Affair the night before, which will feature both a wine tasting and bourbon sampling courtesy of Gentry Bourbon, Charleston’s first uniquely crafted reserve batch bourbon.
Friday night’s attendees will be able to preview the fabulous decorations and auction items while enjoying an open bar, elaborate hors d’oeuvres and live music. And for anyone feeling especially lucky, glasses of champagne can be purchased with one guaranteed to contain a diamond donated by Modern Jewelers.
Richard and Joyce Gray are serving as Honorary Chairs for this premiere event and are pleased at the thought of the community coming together two nights in a row for such a meaningful cause.
“Both nights’ events are going to be just beautiful,” promises Joyce. “We hope everyone will come out for a wonderful time and make a weekend of it!”
The Cocktail Affair will be held from 6-8:30pm on Friday, February 10, 2017 at Tabby Place, and you won’t want to miss it!
The 28th annual Valentine Ball will be held at Tabby Place the following evening. Co-chairs for that event are Chris and Amy Geier, Dr. Andrea Hucks and Dr. Dan Ripley. Like the Grays, the two couples have a long history of supporting the Ball and the Foundation, and they’re especially proud that all of the weekend’s proceeds will benefit cancer services at Beaufort Memorial.
“We are a community-based hospital, and I don’t know if people really understand how rare or special that is these days,” says Andrea. “The fact that our hospital can deliver excellent medical care in this environment is amazing – and ties directly into community support for the Foundation. It really does come down to neighbors taking care of neighbors.”
The Foundation’s signature event has raised nearly $4.8 million for the hospital over its long history, and this year’s contribution to cancer care will continue the community’s outstanding philanthropic support which has underwritten half of all capital and equipment for the Keyserling Cancer Center.
Guests who purchase Valentine Ball tickets before the January 12 RSVP deadline will also be invited to attend one of the privately-hosted dinner parties just before Saturday evening’s Ball.
“The dinner parties are a great way to make new friends and see some really beautiful houses and venues,” Amy says. “And the food is always fabulous!”
After dinner, guests will progress to the Valentine Ball to dance the night away, enjoying tiers of extravagant desserts and a silent auction.
Tickets to the Valentine Ball and private dinner parties on February 11th start at $150 per person and include several levels of sponsorships. Tickets to the Cocktail Affair the night before start at $75 per person with a discount for those wishing to “make a weekend of it” by attending both events. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.valentineball.org or call the Foundation at (843) 522-5774.
Above: Joyce and Richard Gray (center) are serving as honorary chairmen of the premiere “Cocktail Affair,” to be held the evening prior to the 2017 Valentine Ball. The Ball, scheduled for February 11, is co-chaired by Drs. Andrea Hucks and Dan Ripley (left) and Amy and Chris Geier (right).
