Rotary plans its 17th annual fundraising dance

MARTINSBURG - This year's Presidents Day Dance, hosted by the Martinsburg Sunrise Rotary, will be a special masquerade ball to be held on Valentine's Day weekend.

The 17th annual dance is always a timeless, classy event, said Gina Miller, who is working closely with event planners.

"It's been a well-known community event that many people here have enjoyed going to for years," she said. "The evening is a chance for people to get dressed up and dance and just enjoy each other's company. It's a perfect event for couples of all ages to go to, especially because it falls near the Valentine's holiday."

The Presidents Day Dance, which will be held at the historic Shenandoah Hotel Saturday from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., raises money for the Boys and Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle.

Miller, whose husband, Robert Miller, is the president of the local Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors, said that those who attend the dance are helping to support a very worthy cause.

"The Rotary does so much for our community, and for this event, the club is always the beneficiary," she said.

Stephanie Pierson, executive director, said Friday that it's "fantastic" when an outside group holds a fundraising event especially for the club.

"It's their time, energy and expertise that go into events like this that make them such a success," she said.

Pierson explained that the BGCEP has an individual unit located in each of the three counties, with one in Martinsburg, Charles Town and Berkeley Springs.

"The proceeds help fund our staff salaries because those are our biggest expenses," she said.

Catered by the Purple Iris, the black tie event will include heavy hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar, music by disk jockey Rick Rhon, a silent auction and more.

Jen Stanley, of CoxHollidaPrice LLP, said that some of the great items in the auction that the highest bidders will have a chance to take home include Vera Bradley products, Brighton jewelry, a night at the Bavarian Inn and Lodge and a Canaan Valley Resort and Conference Center ski package, complete with lessons.

Miller said that there are corporate sponsorships still available.

"We've been doing so well in getting sponsorships," she said. "It's amazing to see how the money comes back to the community and what it does for the children here."

The dance, which used to be held at the BGCEP, was originally organized as a unique way to showcase the facility to the community.

Tickets are $50 per person and will still be available at the door.

In past years, the President's Day Dance has generated over $15,000 for the club.

For over 40 years, the Eastern Panhandle branch of the Boys and Girls Club of America has been a youth center for programs and services that promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence.

Their mission statement is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.

- Staff writer Erienne Greene can be reached at (304) 263-8931, ext. 183 or at egreene@journal-news.net