KAWARTHA LAKES-The 26th Annual Dream Ball, originally scheduled for Saturday, November 21st at the Victoria Park Armoury has been cancelled due to the pandemic.
In its place, the 2020 Dream Ball Committee will plan an online fundraising auction and appeal.
“After much deliberation and planning, the Dream Ball Committee has decided not to move ahead with any form of in-person event for this year,” says Emily Avery-Graves, Committee Co-Chair. “Our committee has been meeting since February in order to plan the 26th annual fundraiser. When the global pandemic surfaced, we considered alternative formats so that we would not have to disappoint previous Dream Ball attendees, but in the end, we have decided that the safety of our guests necessitates the cancellation of any in-person gathering.”
In November 2019, at the Silver Anniversary event, a new partnership between The Kawartha Haliburton Children’s Foundation (KHCF) and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Kawartha Lakes Foundation (BGCKL Foundation) was announced in order to ensure the continued success of the event which has always raised money to enrich the lives of children and youth. Over a five-year period, the two organizations would work on the transfer of the Dream Ball until the BGCKL Foundation would be the sole organizer and beneficiary of the event. With this year’s cancellation, the five-year agreement will be extended one year.
“It is that much more disappointing for us at the Boys and Girls Club to announce that this year’s Dream Ball is not going ahead, since it was to be our first year organizing this wonderful event,” says Amy Terrill, Executive Director. “Not only were we anticipating to raise much needed funds to support children and youth in our community, but we were also excited to carry on the great tradition with the help of the Dream Ball volunteers.”
In place of the themed dinner, auction and dance, the Dream Ball Committee is inviting previous attendees to make a donation in lieu of their normal contributions and ticket purchases, and also inviting all community members to participate in an online auction in support of the BGCKL Foundation.
“With some creativity and commitment we can still make a difference for children and youth in our community,” says Jessie Kennedy, Committee Co-Chair. “I hope everyone will consider putting away their ballgowns and tuxedos for one year, and instead, signing up to bid on some exciting online auction prizes in November.”
The Dream Ball Online Auction will be announced at www.bgckl.com/giving/dream-ball-donation in November. Pre-registration is open now. Bidding won’t be limited to previous attendees. Click here to make a donation:http://www.bgckl.com/giving/dream-ball-donation
The 2021 Dream Ball will take place on November 20, 2021.
