Goal of Middletown Charity Ball: Get younger, raise money

As the Charity Ball continues to celebrate its anniversaries, the goal of the committee is to get the average age of attendees younger.

“It’s working,” said Fran Sack, event coordinator.

She said five years ago, when the committee realized for the ball to continue it needed to attract younger people, a silent auction, gift baskets and casino games were added.

“It was a good move that appealed to our more diverse crowd,” she said.

There were about 80 young adults who attended the 96th annual Charity Ball earlier this month at Miami University Middletown Johnston Hall-Miriam G. Knoll Community Center, Sack said. This year’s theme was “Once Upon a Time.”

Sack said the event was attended by 220 people and included dinner, dancing to music provided by Middletown favorite Rich Monroe and “Sounds Unlimited,” casino games, silent auction and raffles. Undetermined net proceeds from the event will be presented to Atrium Medical Center Foundation in April at the Middletown Area Federation Women’s General Membership meeting, Sack said.

The Women’s Endowment Fund was established in 2010 and has provided funds for health screenings, tests and initiatives for those women who do not have health coverage or can’t afford necessary treatment. Women’s Health Needs service is offered at the Atrium Medical Center, Premier Health Campus-Middletown and has served more than 200 women since it was vested six years ago, Sack said.

The Middletown Area Federation of Women’s Clubs donations have exceeded $1.1 million since the first dance was held on Dec. 27, 1921, at the Elks Temple that was located on Main Street in 1920. That first dance netted $678.95.

Mica Glaser Jones and Theron Jones and Phillip and Jamie Murphy Harrison served as co-chairs of this year’s ball while Chester and Virginia Jenkins were recognized as this year’s honorary chairs for their years of dedication to the community.

Huhtamaki Inc. was this year’s Presenting Sponsor.

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