If you go
What: Rotary Holiday Ball
When: 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Nov. 25
Where: Plaza Events Center, 1850 Industrial Circle, Longmont
Cost: $100 each or $750 for a 10-person friendship table
More info: Tickets are available at twinpeaksrotary.org or at ACE Hardware, 1721 Main St.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been corrected to show that organizers hope to raise $30,000.
All three Longmont rotary clubs are teaming up to throw a shiny shindig to benefit a local and international charity.
Longmont Rotary, Twin Peaks Rotary and St. Vrain Rotary are all hosting the Holiday Ball on Nov. 25.
Twin Peaks Rotary used to host the Holiday Ball — then called the Mall Ball — in the 1980s before the annual event petered out. Last year, Twin Peaks Rotary resurrected the tradition.
The upcoming Holiday Ball combines the resources of all three of the city’s rotary organizations.
Rich Schenker, past president of Twin Peaks Rotary, said that they hope to raise $30,000 this year to benefit nonprofit organizations that give shelter to people.
“Rotary is all about sharing and not the aggrandizement of one over the other — service over self,” Schenker said. “The idea was that there are a lot of people here, there seems to be no end to people in need and with these hurricanes, it goes above and beyond the needs here in Longmont. We’ve had devastating natural disasters of almost epic proportions.”
Tickets to the ball are $100 each or $750 for a 10-person friendship table. All of the proceeds will be split evenly between the Inn Between of Longmont — which provides housing and case management to people experiencing homelessness — and ShelterBox, which provides temporary shelter to people who had their homes destroyed by a disaster.
“The mantra this year is Giving the Gift of Shelter,” Schenker said.
Schenker said the rotary clubs also aggressively solicited sponsorships from local businesses this year, offsetting the cost of the ball so that every cent of ticket revenue can go to the charities.
The ball will feature food, desserts and a cash bar (one complimentary drink is included per ticket). Rock band Kerry Pastine and the Crime Scene will play the ball.
“They rock. They’re tremendous,” Schenker said about the band, which just got back from touring Spain. “What the ball really is is a slick party to thank all the people who spent 75 to 100 bucks for charity … It’s a time where people get dressed up, have some cocktails and some fancy finger foods.”
Karen Antonacci: 303-684-5226, antonaccik@times-call.com or twitter.com/ktonacci