BANGOR — It’s January. Time to get out the sun dresses, Hawaiian shirts, shorts, sandals and other beach attire to wear to the Eastern Maine Medical Center Auxiliary ninth annual Winter Beach Ball fundraiser 7:30-11:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, at the Cross Insurance Center.
“It’s so much fun to get out and dance the night away when it’s a cold night,” said Ginger Ward Green, auxiliary past president and co-chair with Nazrin Dixon of the auxiliary’s Beach Ball planning committee. “People will have a fun night out and do good work for the community as well. Any time there’s a chance to have fun and do good at same time, it’s a good combination.”
The Beach Ball is the Auxiliary’s biggest fundraiser of the year, Green said. Last year the event raised $20,000 to aid the work of the Auxiliary. “We’re hoping to go over that mark this year,” she said.
The Cross Insurance Center will accommodate more tables than the old Bangor Civic Center, where the event was held in past years, Green said. “We plan on having 500 [attend the event],” she said, “but we hope to go over that number this year.”
The Bob Charest Band of Portland, a change from the Tony Boffa Band, which has provided music in other years, will provide dance music for the event.
“We chose the Bob Charest Band because it sounds so much like the Tony Boffa Band — the big band sound, songs from many different eras. The band tailors its song selections to the audience — we sent a list of songs for it to consider,” Green said.
Light refreshments catered by Carmen Montes and a cash bar will be available.
Those who want to get fully into the spirit of the event will have the opportunity to purchase silk flower leis for $1 each. “Last year the leis were so popular, my husband sold his and mine right off our necks,” Green said, laughing at the memory.
Another innovation this year will be prizes for best dancers, best costume and other categories, and raffles during the band breaks. Area businesses have donated gift cards and other items as prizes.
All proceeds from the 2015 Winter Beach Ball will go toward the Auxiliary’s pledge to the Raish
Peavey Haskell Children’s Cancer and Treatment Center, to which the Auxiliary has pledged $350,000 over a period of five years; and to the Children’s Miracle Network and nursing scholarships.
Last year, the Winter Beach Ball allowed the Auxiliary to donate more than $18,000 to Auxiliary
projects that promote healthcare in eastern, central and northern Maine.
Tickets are $35 per person or $350 for a table of 10 and may be purchased by calling 973-
5055, or online at emmcauxiliary.org.
The Auxiliary was established in 1893. Since its inception the it has contributed more than $3.3
million to the hospital and its programs, doing good work and directly supporting the community.
Some of the Auxiliary’s most recent donations benefiting the community include:
• A $500,000 pledge to the Champion the Cure capital campaign for the Lafayette Cancer Center in Brewer fulfilled this year.
• $4,000 for nursing scholarships yearly.
• $13,500 to Children’s Miracle Network 2014 to benefit children in eastern and northern Maine.
Green said the Auxiliary is still seeking donations of prizes, and businesses or individuals to serve as sponsors of the event. Those who wish to do so may call Green at 669-2017 or 947-3760.
For information, go to emmcauxiliary.org.