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<p><strong>From staff reports</strong></p>
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<p>The Beaufort Memorial Foundation’s Valentine Ball was held this past Saturday outside and under a tent in the Kate Gleason Park, located on the banks of the Beaufort River on the hospital’s main campus.</p>
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<p>In spite of having to reschedule the annual event from its usual February spot – and moving it outdoors due to high COVID-19 levels in the community earlier this year – Beaufort Memorial officials are delighted with the fundraiser’s final results.</p>
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<p>"While we were originally sad to have to postpone what has traditionally been a highly successful February event, it turned out to be a blessing,” Beaufort Memorial Hospital Associate VP and Chief Development Officer Kim Yawn said. “The weather was perfect and it was fitting to be in the park, right next to the hospital, as we gave a nod to our BMH healthcare heroes."</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://staging.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/03052022-Valentines-Day-ball-2-9561.jpeg"><img src="https://staging.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/03052022-Valentines-Day-ball-2-9561-1024x740.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-55849"/></a><figcaption>Allen and Joan Dechovitz trip the light fantastic as the band Bounce plays during the annual Valentine Ball on Saturday.</figcaption></figure>
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<p>More than 250 guests, many of whom had attended pre-ball dinner parties, enjoyed dessert, dancing and a silent auction while helping the Foundation raise more than $215,000 toward the renovation of the Beaufort Memorial Surgical Pavilion.</p>
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<p>“The Valentine Ball alone has now generated more than $1 million towards this special project that will make a lasting impact on the health of our community for years to come,” said Yawn.</p>
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<p>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 over the past 32 years.</p>
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