Beta Tau Delta president Cassie Dozier has announced that this year’s virtual Charity Ball will be themed “A Glitzy Christmas” with decorations, food and entertainment.
The virtual ball is a new version of the group’s Charity Ball, which for more than75 years kicked off the holiday season in Jefferson with a theme carried out with elaborate decorations, live music and refreshments.
Six years ago, the children’s charity sorority, citing high costs, reinvented the Charity Ball fundraiser to generate the most money possible for its projects and programs to benefit the area’s youth. Instead of selling tickets to a live event, the sorority devised a unique way to seek donations without spending money for a live band, facility rent, refreshments or decorations.
A Shopping Guide suggests fun ways a person can participate, all from the comfort of home. A person can “purchase” such items as a white flocked Christmas tree, gold and silver ornaments, snow globe table centerpieces, crystal chandeliers, a photo booth with glitter Santa glasses props, champagne and sparkling cranberry punch, frosted fruits and entertainment by Billy Crystal or the Diamonds Quartet. And, Dozier explained, “What you would normally spend to go to a glitzy live Charity Ball, like for a new dress, new tie, pedicure or hairstyle, can now be donated to directly help with programs for area youth.”
The virtual ball has been highly successful because residents don’t have to leave their easy chairs at home to have some fun and support the many programs funded by Beta Tau Delta. Greene County residents are asked to participate in the virtual fundraiser by choosing from the Shopping Guide their level of donation by selecting special themed decorations, entertainment and refreshments to “pay” for.
Shopping Guides and donation envelopes are available at the following downtown Jefferson businesses – Home State Bank, Fudge’s Flowers and Gifts, The Printer’s Box and Hy-Vee Drug. Shopping Guides are also being mailed to annual donors. Anyone wishing to receive a shopping guide by mail should contact Jan McDermott at 515-386-4329 or Carole Custer at 515-386-8494.
Dozier said all donations are welcomed, regardless of whether people want to have fun with the Virtual Ball. This is the sorority’s annual fundraiser and checks should be made out to Beta Tau Delta, and mailed to the sorority in care of treasurer Anita Van Horn, 102 E. State Street, Jefferson, IA 50129. All donations are tax-deductible.
Some of last year’s Beta Tau delta supported projects included: Entertainment programs for children at all Greene County libraries, a trip to the Blank Park Zoo for Greene County and Paton-Churdan second graders, four $500 college scholarships for Greene County High School graduates, dental screenings and follow-up dental work for Greene County students, Greene County High School after-prom prize, swaddling blankets for newborns at Greene County Medical Center, and HOPES medical equipment for disadvantaged youth.
