Ball raises $260,000 for charity Ball raises $260,000 for charity (December 02, 2005)

Ruby Hill event benefits children

Organizers of the Ruby Hill Giving Thanks Charity Ball report that initial ticket sales seemed to be adversely impacted by Hurricane Katrina giving, but add that on the night of the ball and auction, people broke out their checkbooks to support local causes.

All told, the ball raised $260,000 to be shared by several local child-centered charities:

* Hope Hospice -- $100,000 * ValleyCare Health System Pediatric Services -- $100,000 * Open Heart Kitchen -- $30,000 * Taylor Family Foundation's Camp Arroyo -- $30,000

"We're very pleased with this year's amount, given the current state of affairs with so many people making their donations to the natural disasters," said Foundation president Donna Garrison. "Folks saw that there was still a need locally and they came through for the kids and families who need our help."

Proceeds were distributed Nov. 30 at the Rose Hotel in downtown Pleasanton. Almost 300 guests and sponsors attended the "Roman Holiday"-themed event. The next Ruby Hill Giving Thanks Charity Ball is slated for Saturday, Oct. 21, 2006 at the Palm Event Center at Historic Ruby Hill.

To date, the Ruby Hill Giving Thanks Charity Committee has distributed over $2.2 million to local charities to benefit children and families. For more information about the Ruby Hill Giving Thanks Charity Committee and Charity Ball, visit www.rubyhillgivingthanks.org. <-by Carol Bogart

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