Behind-the-scenes planning has begun for the Beaufort Memorial Hospital Foundation’s biggest fundraiser of the year – the much-anticipated Valentine Ball weekend.

With months to go before the Feb. 7-8 event, the six chairpersons tasked with spearheading the Friday Cocktail Affair and Saturday black tie gala are busy organizing the committees that will oversee the food, entertainment, decorations, silent auction and 50-plus private dinner parties that serve as the warm-up for the main event.

“We’re gathering the forces,” said Sarah Dyson, who is co-chairing the Valentine Ball with her husband, Greg, along with Mary and Jon Lohr. “Now that Thanksgiving is almost here, people are beginning to focus on the holidays, so we need to start early to get things in place.”

The 2020 Valentine Ball marks the 31st year the Foundation has hosted the event to raise money for the not-for-profit hospital. To date, more than $5 million has been generated for a wide array of projects, from the expansion of the Emergency Department and LifeFit Wellness Center to new technology for the Breast Health Center and Keyserling Cancer Center.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

Proceeds from the upcoming ball will help pay for the $12 million renovation of the hospital’s surgical pavilion.

As in years past, both the Cocktail Affair and ball will be held at Tabby Place in downtown Beaufort. Tickets for the events are already on sale. Everyone who purchases a ticket to the ball by Jan. 11, will be invited to one of the pre-ball dinner parties hosted by volunteers in their private homes. Following dinner, guests make their way to Tabby Place for the main event.

“People put on their dancing shoes and have a great time,” said Dyson, who served on the Foundation’s board of trustees for more than a dozen years, most recently as its chairman. “It’s a fun event that everyone looks forward to.”

Co-chairs Jon and Mary Lohr have attended every Valentine Ball since they moved to Beaufort in 2001.

“The hospital does so much for the community,” said Jon Lohr, a technical analyst for Beaufort Memorial’s digital health services. “And we’re working every day to expand access and improve services to ensure residents get the best medical care right here close to home.”

Dr. Chad and Tei Tober, co-chairs of the 2012 Valentine Ball, have stepped up again – this time to serve as honorary co-chairs of the Cocktail Affair.

“A lot of people don’t realize what the Foundation has done for the hospital,” said Chad Tober, a board-certified vascular surgeon on the Beaufort Memorial medical staff since 2004. “The money it has raised over the years has touched every part of the hospital.”

His wife is equally committed to the Foundation. She has done everything from stuffing envelopes to drafting letters for the annual appeal to serving on the board of directors.

“It’s not just a question of opening up your pocketbook,” Tei Tober said. “You can donate your time as well. They always need volunteers to help in a million different ways.”

Tickets for the Cocktail Affair are $90 per person, gala tickets $175 and a package price for both events is $225. To purchase tickets or learn more about the Beaufort Memorial Hospital Foundation Valentine Ball, visit valentineball.org or call the Foundation at 843-522-5774.

<em><span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;Above:&nbsp;</span>Tei Tober will serve as honorary chairs of the Friday evening Cocktail Affair with Sarah and Greg Dyson and Mary and Jon Lohr co-chairing the main event on Saturday.</em>

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