Heart Ball Press Release…

The 2009 Heart Ball of the Pee Dee, Saturday, April 4
Florence and Darlington County Events Join Together
(Florence, SC) – The American Heart Association volunteers and sponsors throughout the Pee Dee area have decided to combine efforts and host the Heart Ball of the Pee Dee.   One region wide event will allow for a collaborated endeavor of exceptional volunteers and offer more benefit to sponsors and guests, save duplicated expenses – and most importantly, raise more funds to fight heart disease and stroke.   Mel Pennington, Co-Chair of the Darlington County Heart Ball, was instrumental in making this move.  Location is not what is most important to him, however.  “The Heart Ball of the Pee Dee will be the premiere event in this state, a who’s who of guests and entertainers – but I’m not going to attend for those reasons.   I’m going because I see what the benefit of those fundraising dollars are capable of doing every time I look in my sleeping daughter’s crib….every time she wakes up from a heart surgery.  What I want people to understand is that just a few short years ago, without these funds to further research and training, we would have taken Mary Clare home to keep her comfortable – until she died.  It means more than the world to me that people support and attend this event.  I hope that you’ll consider coming so that we can say thank you in person, so that you can meet Mary Clare, and she can say ‘Tank-Choo’ also.”
The Heart Ball of the Pee Dee will take place on Saturday, April 4, 2009 at the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology – Florence Darlington Technical College.   The theme for this event is the Heart of the Orient. The Heart Ball will feature a live and silent auction, wonderful cuisine, and for our dancing pleasure and entertainment – Men of Distinction. The event begins with a cocktail reception at 6:30 pm where the silent auction will be open. Guests will be invited into the Ball room at 7:45 for our Asian affair.  During our live auction, there will be a mission moment and special appeal that focuses on the critical issue of children’s heart health.
Jeanette Filpi, CEO of Regency Hospital in Florence, is Chair of the 2009 Heart Ball. “I find it extremely exciting and rewarding that these strong communities are coming together to help build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease and stroke, by joining forces to support the First Annual Heart Ball of the Pee Dee.  In these trying economic times, it is refreshing and encouraging to see communities coming together for a common goal.”  The Heart Ball is the leading black tie event for prominent business and medical professionals in our community. Moreover, our event raises funds and awareness for cardiovascular disease and stroke research. Several years back, the Heart Walk made this same change and substantial growth was the result for the event.   That change was widely accepted and has proven to be very effective.  Our current leading Heart Ball supporters – Sonoco, Nucor Steel, and Pee Dee Cardiology are excited and looking forward to this change.
For information on sponsorship, reservations or making a contribution, please contact Mona Carter at the American Heart Association – 843-665-0985 or [email protected] .

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