An evening of international mystique and Parisian fun is in store for guests at the 79th Annual Charity Ball: Passport to Paris on Saturday, November 14. The event, hosted by the Junior Board of Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky and co-sponsored by Mercedes-Benz of Ft. Mitchell and Ameriprise Private Wealth Advisor Scott Brooks, directly benefits the residential treatment program operated by CHNK.
This year’s Charity Ball takes place in the International Ballroom of the CVG Airport Marriott, located in Hebron. A social hour, complete with open bar and hors d’oeuvres, kicks off the evening at 6:30 p.m. Dinner with wine service begins promptly at 7:30 p.m., followed by a live auction hosted by professional auctioneer Susan Johnson, who also serves as the event’s Mistress of Ceremonies. This year’s live auction items include a football autographed by the 2015 Cincinnati Bengals, a private suite for eight guests at an Aronoff Center performance of White Christmas, a gourmet five-course dinner for ten prepared by Jeff Thomas Catering, and a trip for two to New Orleans. A silent auction, photo booth, gaming, raffles, music, and dancing will also take place throughout the evening.
“We’re thrilled to be on track for our largest Charity Ball ever,” shares Nhien Lange, current Junior Board president and co-chair of this year’s event; Lange and her fellow event coordinators are preparing for a maximum capacity crowd of 350 guests. “It’s tremendous to have this kind of turnout and to see everyone coming together – as a community – to support the abused and neglected youth benefiting from CHNK’s services.”
Variations of the Charity Ball have been held nearly every year since the Junior Board was first established in 1935, with the exception of 1937, when the tri-state area was recovering from massive flooding along the Ohio River. Historical documents note that early event proceeds were used to purchase curtains, blankets, and towels. Now, however, the event supports the more sophisticated therapeutic needs of the youth coming to CHNK for treatment – including substance use disorders.
“Mercedes-Benz of Ft. Mitchell is thrilled to once again sponsor the Charity Ball,” comments Don Paparella, MBFM Managing Partner. “We applaud the efforts of the Junior Board for their dedication to making sure the kids served by CHNK have not just the essentials they need, but also the encouragement and support they deserve.”
While the Junior Board is widely known in the community for their hosting of the Charity Ball, their involvement with CHNK goes far beyond the event. Nearly 30 members – all volunteers – come together on a monthly basis to discuss agency programming and needs, and ways they can support both. Members of the Junior Board coordinate quarterly events for the youth in treatment, including basketball tournaments, summer picnics, and fall festivals. They also represent the Home at community events, such as the annual DevouGrass Music & Arts Festival.
“This group has evolved into so much more than simply a fundraising engine,” explains Anne Sturgis, CHNK Development Manager. “They’re helping our recreation therapist lead cooking therapy classes with our kids. They’re making sure each child who celebrates a birthday while living at CHNK feels extra special by gifting him with a favorite treat. They’re watching movies and playing board games with our kids during Cottage Fun Nights. They’re not just talking the talk.”
Proceeds from the Charity Ball specifically offset expenses related to the therapeutic recreation program at CHNK, which is extremely popular among clients but is not supported through any state funding. CHNK offers a variety of therapeutic recreation groups, including art therapy, therapeutic drumming, cooking therapy, equine therapy, and circus therapy; each group runs for approximately 8-12 weeks and may have as many as six cycles a year.
“As a local franchise owner with Ameriprise, I feel a responsibility to get involved with tremendous organizations like Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky,” shares Scott Brooks, who has been a presenting sponsor of the Charity Ball since 2012. “When you find people who dedicate their lives to others the way the CHNK team does every day, it’s a privilege to support that mission.”
A limited number of individual tickets to the Charity Ball are still available for $100 each. They can be purchased through November 9 by calling the CHNK Office for Development at 859.292.4135 or placing an order online at www.chnk.org/charityball.
Founded in 1882, Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky operates three campuses – one in Burlington and two in Covington. CHNK carries out its mission to be a community leader providing children and families with opportunity and hope for better lives by taking a family-centered, holistic approach to behavioral health and substance use treatment services for abused, neglected, and at-risk youth. CHNK is a member of the Children’s Alliance, Kentucky’s voice for at-risk children and families.