For 25 years now, on one magical evening in February, many of Beaufort’s most gracious hosts and hostesses have come together in support of the Beaufort Memorial Hospital Foundation. This year on Saturday February 7th these homeowners will once again open their homes, hosting dinner parties for guests on their way to attend the hospital’s 26th annual Valentine Ball.

“The dinner parties are our favorite part of the Ball,” according to co-chairs and former dinner party hostesses Laura Beall and Ryan Christian. “We love how they bring together the most interesting people of all ages, people we might not have known otherwise but can now count among our dearest friends.”
Over 500 people are expected to attend this year’s black tie fundraising event, and each guest will be

[caption id="attachment_20562" align="alignright" width="244"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Cover-ValBallDinnerCropped.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-20562" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Cover-ValBallDinnerCropped-244x300.jpg" alt="The private pre-ball dinner parties are what make the Valentine Ball special. " width="244" height="300" /></a> The private pre-ball dinner parties are what make the Valentine Ball special.[/caption]

invited to attend a small pre-ball dinner party held at some of Beaufort’s finest homes.  After dinner, guests will progress to the Ball for an evening of dancing, silent auctions, and elaborate desserts.   Because each dinner party is unique and carefully orchestrated, they are always the most popular topic of conversation at the ball.

Since its inception in 1990, the Valentine Ball has raised nearly $4.2 million for the not-for-profit hospital.  Proceeds from the 2015 event will help finance the renovation and much-needed expansion of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on the second floor of the hospital.  The new unit will be able to accommodate 50% more patients, equipped with state-of-the-art cardiac monitors, lift equipment, and special ICU beds.  It will also include thoughtfully designed family consultation and waiting rooms. Tickets to the 26th Annual Valentine Ball start at $150 per person, which includes the pre-ball dinner party.  For more information or to purchase tickets before the January 15th deadline, call (843) 522-5774 or visit www.valentineball.org.