Charity Ball provides evening of fun while impacting children and families

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – One of the largest charity events takes place Friday evening and it features glitz, glamour, great food and it helps children and families across the area.

For several days, members of the Junior Auxiliary of Tupelo have been preparing the Bancorpsouth Arena for the 56th annual Charity Ball.

‘Gatsby Gala’ is this year’s theme.

“We have a lot of people that have told us they’re going to dress in theme, a lot of flapper dresses, thought it would be a really good time, not a theme we’ve done before we thought it would be a lot of fun to transform the arena into the roaring 20s,” said Charity Ball chairperson Anna Beth Wyatt.

Behind the feathers and chandeliers is the real cause. The Charity Ball is only fundraiser each year for the Junior Auxiliary.

Proceeds from ticket sales, a silent auction and living ads allow JA members to do service projects in schools and throughout the entire community.

“The real cause is we’re raising money to help feed and clothe children of Tupelo and Lee County, help, if they’re struggling at school, we tutor them, there are all kinds of projects,” said Wyatt.

The entire community helps with the Charity Ball. Park Heights Executive Chef Dan Schroeder leads a team of JA members who prepare enough food to feed 1,000 guests for the big event.

“It’s a good time, it’s fun to see it come together, you come here on Wednesday, room is not really set up and then say, if this going to get done in time, and Friday, everything is all done, everything comes together, we make it happen,” said Schroeder.

All 88 Junior Auxiliary members help with different aspects of the Charity Ball, and their husbands help with the clean up.

Restaurants and other businesses also provide food, produce and desserts for the annual Charity Ball.

The Citizen of the Year is also announced during the Charity Ball.