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<h2><strong>Annual event will be held Saturday, March 5, at Kate Gleason Park in Beaufort</strong><br></h2>
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<p><strong>From staff reports</strong></p>
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<p>Beaufort Memorial officials are rescheduling and relocating the annual Valentine Ball fundraiser, originally set for February 5, due to high levels of COVID-19 in the community and ongoing health concerns.</p>
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<p>“Given the current surge in cases and the high transmission rate of this variant we believe it is prudent to postpone the event until such time when both CDC and DHEC models predict the prevalence will be much lower,” BMH President and CEO Russell Baxley said in a release.</p>
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<p>The ball will be held outside and under a tent on Saturday, March 5, in Kate Gleason Park, located on the banks of the Beaufort River on the hospital’s main campus. Attendance will be limited to 250 guests. As an additional safety measure, guests are required to have proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours prior to the event. Wearing a face mask will be left to the discretion of the individual.</p>
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<p>“This year’s ball is dedicated to our healthcare heroes who have worked tirelessly over the past two years caring for thousands of community members affected by COVID-19,” Associate VP and Chief Development Officer Deborah Schuchmann said. “It is our responsibility to both our heroes and our community to celebrate the ball in a safe, post-surge environment.”</p>
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<p>The Valentine Ball will once again include a carefully curated silent auction with vacation home stays, unique experiences and excursions, sporting events and original art. Open to both event attendees and non-attendees, mobile bidding through Clickbid will open February 18 and close the night of the event. Bidders can register for an account now by visiting www.ValentineBall.org and clicking on “Create Your Silent Auction Account” at the bottom of the page.</p>
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<p>Funds generated from the event will go toward the renovation of the Beaufort Memorial Surgical Pavilion. The Valentine Ball alone has generated more than $800,000 towards this special project that will make a lasting impact on the health of our community for years to come. First hosted in 1990, the Beaufort Memorial Hospital Foundation’s Valentine Ball has raised more than $5.6 million for new technology, services and facility improvements for Beaufort Memorial and its patients.</p>
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<p>Tickets to the Valentine Ball are $200 each and can be purchased until February 18, based on availability. For more information about the ball, to purchase tickets, or to register for a silent auction account visit www.ValentineBall.org</p>
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