Photo above: Co-chairs of the 2016 Beaufort Memorial Hospital Foundation’s Valentine Ball Decorations Committee, Penny Abbott and Nikki Ruhf.
Beaufort Memorial Foundation presents the 27th Annual Valentine Ball
The co-chairs of the 2016 Beaufort Memorial Hospital Foundation’s Valentine Ball Decorations Committee have been hard at work bringing this year’s “Golden Age of Hollywood” theme to fruition, and they couldn’t be more excited! Penny Abbott and Nikki Ruhf have been combing Pinterest, meeting with prop providers, scoping out the site, and brainstorming together for months now.
Having worked on event planning for large non-profits in Savannah and Atlanta before moving to Beaufort several years ago, Penny is quite comfortable with grand challenges. And Nikki’s background as an interior decorator for a big firm in Charleston is proving a tremendous asset in transforming the 20,000 square foot space in the hospital’s administration building into a breathtaking backdrop.
They’re both brimming over with enthusiasm for the theme. “The Golden Age of Hollywood” was a period in American Cinema spanning the late ‘20s to the end of the ‘50s. It was a filmmaking era defined by a distinctive style, narrative, and production value, boasting many of our most treasured film classics and screen sirens.
“Think evening gowns, furs and boas,” suggests Nikki, whose husband Jason works for the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a really fun excuse to get all dressed up and feel glamorous!”
As active members of Beaufort’s Junior Service League, where they first met, and each now with rambunctious one-year-old toddlers at home, the Decorations Committee co-chairs have become pros at time management. Even now, a month ahead of time, they have it all mapped out, right down to the red carpet and the paparazzi. They can see it all so clearly, and now we have only to wait until February 6th to see them bring that vision to life.
More than 600 people are expected to attend this year’s black tie fundraiser. Guests who purchase tickets before the January 12 RSVP deadline will also be invited to attend one of the privately-hosted pre-ball dinner parties held in many of Beaufort’s most beautiful homes and special venues.
“The people we had dinner with for our first Valentine Ball have become some of our dearest friends, and I don’t know that we would have gotten to know them nearly as well otherwise” remembers Nikki.
“The pre-ball dinner parties are always tremendous fun and a great way to meet new people” agrees Penny, whose husband Will is owner of Flood Tide Co., a Charleston-based firm specializing in unique fishing and lifestyle apparel designs.
After dinner, guests will progress to the Ball to experience “The Golden Age of Hollywood” with an evening of dancing, a silent auction, and tiers of elaborate desserts.
“It’s going to be just luxurious” promises Penny, “I can’t wait to see everyone’s reaction when they walk in!”
Proceeds from the 2016 Valentine Ball will help fund the renovation of the Collins Birthing Center, where up to 100 babies are delivered each month.
