BACK IN PERSON!

The 2022 Annual BMH Foundation Valentine Ball Fundraiser
to be Held at Dataw’s Carolina Ballroom

story by KAREN SNYDER           photos by PAUL NURNBERG          Baxley Family photo by SABELL SILHOUETTES

It’s the annual gala event that’s greatly anticipated all over Beaufort — the Beaufort Memorial Hospital (BMH) Foundation’s Valentine Ball. Excited to be back in person after hosting a virtual event last year, the one-night only event will be held in a new, more spacious venue at the Dataw Island Club’s Carolina Ballroom on February 5, 2022.

“Last year, the community really showed its generous spirit during an unbelievably difficult time,” says Geneva Baxley, BMH Foundation’s new board member and Valentine Ball co-liaison. “This year, folks are eager and grateful to be gathering again in person, in support of our community hospital.” Together with co-liaison Katie Heubel, who has a background in special event planning, Geneva, a registered nurse, is excited about the 2022 fundraising effort, having “assisted with all things behind the scenes” for the last nine years.

“We’re in a bigger, newly renovated space this year, allowing us to safely and responsibly host a maximum of 250 guests at the ball. The venue has great ventilation and plenty of outdoor spaces for those seeking fresh air,” she explains. In addition, guests are required to have proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours prior to the event.

Co-chairs of this year’s gala include BMH President and CEO Russell Baxley and his wife, Stephanie, and Paul and Kate Schaefer. Paul is a certified physician assistant with Beaufort Memorial Orthopaedic Specialists, and Kate is the director of land protection for Beaufort County Open Land Trust. Funds raised through this year’s ball will again be used to support the renovation of Beaufort Memorial’s Surgical Pavilion. Having raised $843,192 over the last four years to support the Surgical Pavilion renovation project, this year’s goal is to top $1 million toward the Foundation’s $5 million goal in supporting this critical renovation and expansion. (The surgical center was last renovated in the 1990s.)

Paul and his wife recollect, “The Valentine Ball was one of the first events we attended in Beaufort as newcomers seven years ago, and we were struck then by how committed this community is to our hospital. Community support for the Surgical Pavilion continues this year, and these important funds will improve the Surgical Pavilion and the resources available to all of our patients, improving their experience and outcomes before, during, and after surgeries.”

According to Geneva, this year’s event will highlight and honor BMH’s many healthcare heroes. “The past year and a half has strained healthcare systems everywhere. We realized after each wave that this was really more of an Iron Man than a straightforward marathon,” she admits. “Fortunately, things appear to have stabilized, and many in the community are fully vaccinated. Because of this, we can move forward confidently. Now more than ever, we understand the value of our community hospital, and I believe we have a civic responsibility to help Beaufort Memorial thrive!”

Adds BMH President and CEO Russell Baxley, “Stephanie and I are excited to co-host the 2022 Valentine Ball in honor and support of all of the healthcare heroes at Beaufort Memorial. I’ve had the honor of working alongside the most committed and caring group of staff and providers at BMH, and I am continually inspired by their tireless efforts on behalf of our patients and our community day after day. As in years past, the funds raised from this event will help equip our heroes with the tools and technology they need to provide the best care possible for years to come, and that benefits us all.”

Perhaps anticipated just as much as the ball are the dinner parties hosted throughout Beaufort. “As part of our safety protocol, we’ve limited the number of dinner party guests to 12 this year,” says Geneva. “Guests are assigned, so you don’t know in advance which dinner party you’ll be attending or who you’ll be attending with. It’s fun! It’s like having a blind date with the community,” she chuckles.

“One year, I was seated next to Mayor Billy Keyserling, and we talked together for an hour or more. Truly, I’ve made great friends just by sharing a meal with someone I would have otherwise never met!”

Geneva explains that dinner party hosts most frequently invite dinner guests into their homes. “It’s their opportunity to dust off the wedding china and polish the silver! They really go all out decorating a beautiful tablescape and preparing a meal,” she adds. “Others hire a chef to prepare dinner or choose to host at a restaurant.” Dinners are held at 6:30 p.m., and then guests move on to the ball from 8 to 11 p.m.

Once guests arrive at the black-tie event, they’ll find a beautifully decorated venue complete with linens, centerpieces, open bar, live band, and silent auction. “Our featured band this year is Bounce, a party band that plays an eclectic mix of music. Guests have always enjoyed hitting the dance floor, mingling with each other, and bidding on silent auction items,” says Geneva.

“The silent auction is another highly anticipated element of the fundraiser. It opens prior to the ball on January 21, 2022, and closes at the end of the ball. There’s always a lot of wonderful original art from generous local artists who continue to support the Foundation year after year. Other popular items include vacation homes, trips and excursions, sporting events, and more. Last year, we raised $37,000 on the auction alone.”

Geneva encourages those who may not have attended the Valentine Ball to consider it this year. “Part of the fun is finding that special outfit, dressing up, and feeling great knowing you’re supporting an important cause. We must do what’s necessary to ensure that our local community hospital remains strong. Can you imagine what it would be like if we didn’t have Beaufort Memorial Hospital in our town?” Though a lot of fun, the annual Valentine Ball is a serious fundraiser. “Something that unites us all is the desire and need for great healthcare,” Geneva adds.

According to Debbie Schuchmann, Associate Vice President and Chief Development Officer for the BMH Foundation, the funds raised through this event will go a long way in ensuring the Surgical Pavilion is renovated and equipped with the latest medical technology so that BMH can continue its mission of delivering high-quality care to patients. “One thing we learned during Covid was that a lot of business could be conducted virtually, just about everything except surgery. There are very few people who won’t need surgery at some point in their life, and it’s much easier to have it performed at your local hospital with board-certified surgeons in a safe, efficient surgery center equipped with the most technically advanced equipment close to home.”

Tickets for the BMH Foundation Valentine Ball will go on sale at the end of the month. For health and safety reasons, the headcount for this year’s ball has been reduced by a third. Tickets to the event, including the ball, are $200. Geneva explains, “We realize there are those who may feel comfortable attending a small dinner party, but not a large gathering. Therefore, there will be a limited number of dinner-only tickets for $150.”
Hospital supporters will receive an order form by mail. Tickets may also be purchased online at valentineball.org or by calling 843-522-5774.