Beaufort Memorial Hospital Foundation has tapped longtime BMH boosters Dr. Andy and Laura Beall and Dr. D.J. and Ryan Christian to co-chair the 26th Annual Valentine Ball, the organization’s biggest fundraiser.
The black tie event will be held Feb. 7 at the Beaufort Memorial Medical and Administrative Center, located across from the hospital.
Both the Christians and Bealls have firsthand experience with BMH. All three of the Christians’ children were born in the hospital’s Birthing Center. Laura Beall, a breast cancer survivor, was treated at Beaufort Memorial’s Keyserling Cancer Center.
A sales consultant for Etcetera clothing, Beall recently joined the foundation’s Board of Trustees. Her husband, Andy, is executive director of the Santa Elena Foundation.
D.J. Christian is an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist) with Beaufort ENT and Allergy, where Ryan previously worked as the office manager.
Staunch supporters of the hospital’s mission, the co-chairs have been regular attendees at the ball and have hosted several pre-ball dinner parties with friends. They’ve also served on the decorations, auction and dinner party planning committees.
“The dinner parties are our favorite part of the ball,” Beall said. “We love how they bring together the most interesting people of all seasons — people you might not have known otherwise, but can now count among your dearest friends.”
Held at some of Beaufort’s most beautiful homes, the pre-ball dinner parties will kick off the evening of fun. Every guest who purchases a ticket by Jan. 16 will receive a personal invitation to one of the parties.
Following dinner, guests will make their way to the ball. The festivities will include a silent auction, dancing and decadent desserts. More than 500 people are expected to attend this year’s event.
Since its inception in 1990, the Valentine Ball has raised nearly $4.2 million for the non-profit hospital. Proceeds from the 2015 event will help finance the renovation and much-needed expansion of the Intensive Care Unit. Other improvements will include state-of-the-art cardiac and invasive monitors, lift equipment, special ICU beds and family consultation and waiting rooms.
Tickets to the 2015 Annual Valentine Ball start at $150 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 843-522-5774 or visit www.valentineball.org.
