PFCS to host ninth annual Masquerade Ball
The ninth annual Masquerade Ball, to be held on Saturday, Jan. 20 at the Union Country Club in Dover, is PFCS’s most important fundraiser of the year, drawing close to 200 guests and last year raising more than $17,000.
As you enjoy a three-course dinner, champagne concoctions and dancing, you never know whom you might be helping. And the anonymity provided by your own mask makes it all the more intriguing.
“Our ninth annual Masquerade Ball raises vital funding for the programs and services that we offer to the community,” said Pamela Trimmer, executive director of Personal & Family Counseling Services of New Philadelphia. "Since 1970, PFCS, a part of Ohio Guidestone, has improved the lives of thousands of individuals and families through counseling, support, advocacy and education."
The Masquerade Ball, to be held on Saturday, Jan. 20 at the Union Country Club in Dover, is PFCS’s most important fundraiser of the year, drawing close to 200 guests and last year raising more than $17,000.
“It’s something people really look forward to after the holidays are over and they start to get cabin fever,” Trimmer said. “It’s an opportunity to get dressed up, have some fun and do something good for your community at the same time. All of the money we raise goes directly to the services we provide.”
New at the event this year will be a champagne bar, where guests can create their own bubbly libations with fruit, juices and purees.
A three-course dinner will be followed by raffles, auction baskets, a 50/50 drawing and dancing to the music of a local disc jockey.
“You can’t lose when you play our jackpot event,” Trimmer said. “For $20 you get to pull an envelope containing a gift card for at least $25.”
"The masquerade theme gives the event some mystery and elegance," said Jamie Smith, assistant director of PFCS and chair of the auxiliary board that organized the ball this year. “Guests don’t have to wear a mask, but it makes it fun. We have a table full of masks, but some people like to make their own. Some people get dressed up, but others come in more casual attire. We just want people to be comfortable and have a wonderful time.”
Trimmer said the 12-woman auxiliary board has worked tirelessly to make the ball perfect. “They really have a passion for the work our organization does, so they are willing to go out of their way to make sure that our events are successful and everybody has a great time,” she said.
Each year PFCS spotlights one of its programs during the ball. This year Trimmer said the organization will feature its family counseling services for children and adults.
“We offer a diversity of programs and a continuum of services that change lives from birth to death,” Trimmer said.
Counseling services include a variety of at-home and in-school treatment for children and families.
PFCS’ Harbor House domestic-violence shelter provides supportive services for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. Harbor House Halfway House provides residential substance-abuse treatment for women while Recovery Point is a sober living environment for men in early recovery from opiate addiction.
“Our newer services include medication assisted therapy for folks who need medication to manage the mental illness of substance abuse,” Trimmer said. “That’s a big issue right now with the opioid epidemic.”
Trimmer said the Masquerade Ball wouldn’t be possible without the support of its past and current sponsors including Lauren International, the New Philadelphia Elks Lodge #510, Olympus Communications, Tusc Construction Supply LLC and AloNovus. All sponsors signed up by Monday, Jan. 8 will be listed in the event program.
Tickets to the Masquerade Ball cost $65 or $120 for a pair. Tickets are limited and available only by advance sale. They can be purchased online at Personal-Family-Counseling.com or by stopping in at the PFCS offices. You can choose your meal selection when you register. You also can purchase your bottle of champagne — with two glasses — for $25 in advance. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. PFCS is located at 1433 Fifth St. in New Philadelphia. You can call PFCS at 330-343-8171. The Union Country Club is located at 1000 N. Bellevue Ave. in Dover.