|
|
hOSPICE SUPPORT CARE will hold its sixth annual Mag- nolia Ball at Fredericks- burg Square Saturday. A silent auction will be followed by dinner, a live auction and dancing. Music will be provided by the Fredericksburg Big Band.
The Junior Women's Club of Fredericksburg launched the first Magnolia Ball in 1999 to benefit the nonprofit, nonmedical volunteer hospice group.
That year, Women's Club member Mary Fehrens organized the event. Now that she is the special events director for HSC, she remains involved in coordinating and improving the fête.
Fehrens may be the brains behind the Magnolia Ball, but the event would not be possible without the help of numerous volunteers and community members.
"The event started as a fund-raiser for Hospice Support Care, but it really highlights the spirit of generosity of the Fredericksburg community," Fehrens said.
Deborah and Van Perroy, owners of Fredericksburg Square, will once again donate the venue and the food for the ball. Area merchants have donated items ranging from restaurant gift certificates, oil changes, haircuts and spa outings for the silent auction. The live auction will feature pricier items.
The ball gets it moniker from the symbol of HSC, the magnolia, a symbol of dignity, Fehrens said.
"It just started as an idea, and it just snowballed--or blossomed, we should say," Fehrens said.