LOCK HAVEN - It was the first ever Black and White Ball.
It won't be the last.
Sponsored by the Lock Haven YMCA to kick off its 2012 campaign, the event was a huge success, and organizers are already gearing up for next year's ball.
YMCA Executive Director Cheryl Orndorf reports about $32,000 was raised toward this year's campaign goal of $50,000.
More than 200 people, dressed in formal attire, showed up for an evening filled with music and dancing, speakers, hors d'oeuvres, dinner and an overall good time in the ballroom at the Elks Club.
"The YMCA board of directors, the YMCA staff and the community came together to hold this unique event to benefit the YMCA. We were not only able to raise funds for the YMCA, but to also raise awareness about our mission and the impact the YMCA has on this community. It was a wonderful evening," Orndorf said.
The ball was designed as a fun way to support the Y, Orndorf said.
"There are so many other unique fundraising events in our community that we felt we needed to come up with our own unique way of celebrating our YMCA and kicking off the fundraising campaign. We realized many people never get a chance to get all dressed up and feel like they did the night of their senior ball," she said.
And so the preparations for the Black and White Ball were underway.
The enthusiasm was contagious and tickets were sold out weeks before the event. Dozens of local individuals and businesses became sponsors and many more donated items to be sold to the highest bidder.
Dick Hepner conducted the auction of items that included a Super Bowl Party Package of a recliner, TV and Weis gift cards. Other items on the auction block were a health and wellness package, jewelry, art works, Penn State sports memorabilia, a weekend getaway to Seven Springs and a fly fishing package.
The DJ for the evening was Matt the Cat. Keynote speaker was Lock Haven University men's basketball coach Michael Nestor.
The YMCA's official annual campaign season runs from Feb. 3 through May 31. The campaign is critical to the YMCA's ability to provide its services to the community. Monies raised during the campaign are used to continue current programs, introduce new programs, pay for facility needs and most importantly to award financial aid scholarships to community members who cannot afford to pay the membership or program fees.
The annual campaign funds help keep fees at an affordable rate for memberships and program.
Also, the YMCA partners with many area organizations and businesses to provide opportunities for community members to participate in the healthy, wholesome activities offered at the Y.
Donations can be made online at www.lockhavenymca.com.
