If you’ve been dreaming of a getaway to sunny days, oceans, palm trees and sand, this is your chance to VIRTUALLY escape and help children of Greene County at the same time. This year’s annual fundraiser for Beta Tau Delta is now underway. Themed “A Bahama Beach Christmas” Charity Ball, you can help plan a virtual Charity Ball complete with decorations, refreshments and entertainment
Eight years ago, the children’s charity sorority, citing high costs, reinvented its real Charity Ball 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.
It became a VIRTUAL charity ball, a fun way to support the sorority. So each year, Greene County residents are asked to participate in the virtual fundraiser by choosing from a shopping guide items to buy for special themed decorations, entertainment and refreshments for a VIRTUAL event. “The virtual ball has been highly successful because residents don’t have to get dressed up or buy tickets for the occasion to have some fun and support the many programs funded by Beta Tau Delta,” said event organizer Carole Custer.
A shopping guide suggests fun ways a person can participate, all from the comfort of home. A person can “purchase” three palm trees with Christmas lights, conch shell candles for table centerpieces, a mounted swordfish as wall décor, even an aquarium of ocean tropical fish. For refreshments, of course, there are Bahama Mama’s and rum cakes. Who else for entertainment but Jimmy Buffet! And if you can’t find something on the shopping guide, Custer explained, “What you would normally spend to go to a glitzy live Charity Ball, like a new dress, new tie, pedicure or hairstyle or haircut can now be donated to directly help with programs for area youth.”
Shopping guides and envelopes are available at various downtown Jefferson businesses including Fudge’s Flowers and Gifts, The Printer’s Box, Royal Jewelers, and Ben Franklin. Look for posters at all participating retailers. Shopping guides are also being mailed to annual donors. Anyone wishing to receive a shopping guide by mail should contact Joan Lang at 515-386-4428.
Last year’s Beta Tau Delta supported projects included: Webb House utility bills, a trip to the Blank Park Zoo for Greene County and Paton-Churdan 2nd graders, four $500 college scholarships for Greene County High School graduates, dental screenings and follow-up dental work for Greene County students, the Greene County High School prom, swaddling blankets for newborns at Greene County Medical Center, Adopt-A-Family and Greene County High School music department expenses.
Custer said all donations are welcomed, even if some people may not wish to play along 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 East State Street, Jefferson, IA 50129. All donations are tax-deductible.
