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Holly ‘Jolly’ Ball returns to Barrington Hills Country Club
Updated: January 7, 2013 6:37AM
BARRINGTON HILLS — It’s hard to believe that it’s been a year since the inaugural “Holly Ball” to benefit the recently founded Barrington Children’s Charities.
That massively successful black tie fund-raiser, which raised more than $150,000, is once again being held at the Barrington Hills Country Club, on Saturday, Dec. 8. The reason I remember this event so distinctly is because I had the honor of directing the small but hardy (it was a beautiful, yet frigid evening!) “Holly Ball Children’s Choir,” which was assembled to serenade arriving guests. This year’s guests will be treated to glorious music from Barrington High School’s “Big Phat Quintet,” featuring Ben Karon on vibes, Nate Garner playing saxophone, Konrad Neptun on bass, Nick Kosarek playing piano, and Ben Brady on drums.
Board member Kirsten Baseley answered some key questions from me about this year’s soiree:
Q: What is this year’s Holly Ball goal? A:
We are aiming to surpass last year’s fund-raising efforts. So, $150,000 plus.
Q: How many attended last year?A:
Last year we had over 225 guests. We are aiming to have another sell out event, with possibly more seating.
Q: What is unique this year?A:
Every year we plan to do something new and unique. We have all new offerings for both our “Keys for the Cause” raffle, as well as our live auction, including the opportunity to purchase tickets to the 65th annual Primetime 2012 Emmy Awards. Additionally, we have Bret Baier, anchor of Fox News Channel’s “Special Report with Bret Baier” as our honorary guest speaker.
Guests can also enjoy a festive cocktail hour, sumptuous dinner and dancing to the great music of The Pete Fleming Orchestra.
In addition to Kirsten, many Barrington area neighbors are involved with BCC, including chairman Thomas Hills, president Darby Hills, treasurer John Paul Hills, and secretary Lauren Hills; as well as Board of Directors: Jodie and Tom Barbera, Christopher and Dacien Barry, Anna and Chris Bilton, Karyn and Todd Bundrant, Jaimee and Mark Hamilton, Laura and Mike Fitch, and Chris and Matt Smith.
Barrington Children’s Charities’ Mission statement is “two-fold”: “First, we aim to heighten public awareness of children’s issues and foster solutions to their problems. Second, we raise monies to fund a wide variety of important, worthwhile projects benefiting local children. Through our collective efforts and charitable donations, Barrington Children’s Charities strives to give the children in the District 220 area a chance at a brighter tomorrow and a more fulfilling future.”
Some of these vital programs include: Blessings in a Backpack, which provides local elementary children a backpack full of food for 38 weekends during the school year; Alexian Brothers Medical Center’s “School-Based Mental Health Partnership at Barrington High School;” a free week of “Camp Kesem Northwestern” for Barrington children and youth with a parent affected by cancer; Barrington Youth Dance Ensemble’s new Outreach Dance Program, which provides dance workshops and live performances to children with special needs such as autism spectrum and Down Syndrome; and funding Barrington Area Special Voices Kids In Action events.
Tickets are $200 per person and can be purchased at www.barringtonchildrenscharities.com or by contacting co-chairs Darby Hills at darby.hills@gmail.com or Laura Fitch at Lfitch1201@sbcglobal.net.
Sponsors of Barrington Children’s Charities include: Signature Sponsor, The Hills Family; Gold Sponsor, The Foglia Family Foundation; Silver Sponsors, Barrington Bank and Trust Co., Mortenson Construction, Bryan and Christy Cressey, Celebrate Life, The Peter & Shirley Welsh Family, Merix, Meryl & Richard Cannon, Horizon Farms; Bronze Sponsors, Northwest Community Healthcare, Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, Triumph Construction, Tracy & Russell Scurto; Pewter Sponsors, Wickstrom Auto Group, Cornerstone National Bank & Trust, and Event Sponsors & Contributors, Park Lane Jewelry, Blu Sky Creative, Long & Company Jewelers, KC Printing Services, and Kathleen McLaughlin events.
For more information, visit www.barirngtonchildrenscharities.com.
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