Planning in Full Swing for Annual Mayor's Charity Ball

In West Hartford, the month of May is more than just a launching a pad into summer.

It’s during this month every year that the town rallies together to raise funds for important local non-profit organizations. This year, the ball is set for Saturday, May 11, and as always, festivities will happen under the tent on the Town Hall Green.

Complete information about getting involved with the ball can be found online at www.themayorscharityball.org along with details about program advertisements, ball sponsorships, and ticket registration.

Thus far, Taylor Rental, Max’s Restaurant Group and Mercy Community Health are sponsoring the event, but more are always welcome. The event is always also in need of great auction items, table hosts, and volunteers overall.

This year’s beneficiaries are Playhouse on Park and HopeWorks Inc. These two very worthy non-profit organizations enrich the West Hartford community and its residents in countless ways.

“We are so proud that the ball has grown into an event of such size and scope,” said West Hartford Mayor Scott Slifka. “The night’s always a lot of fun and more importantly, critical to supporting non-profits such as Playhouse on Park and HopeWorks.”

Playhouse on Park is a world-class professional theatre located on Park Road in West Hartford, while HopewWorks Inc. is a community outreach center focused on helping young people.   

This marks the 14th year of The Mayor’s Charity Ball in West Hartford. The Mayor’s Charity Ball is itself a 501 (c) 3 non-profit governed by a board of directors with the input and endorsement of the Mayor of West Hartford. The incoming board of directors will be comprised of four board members from each organization and three representatives from the West Hartford Community. 

The 12 board members include returning members Carol McCabe and Julianne Roth from the Playhouse on Park and President-elect Chris Skelly and Ann Mikulak of Hopeworks. Newly-elected board members include: Michelle Gramley Kuak and Shellie Giroux of Playhouse on Park and Sharon Gaddy and Shawn Meehan of Hopeworks. In addition, along with new members Jill Jarvis and Christina Steinhauser, Lou Luba returns to the board to represent community members of the Town of West Hartford. 

For additional information regarding the event, please visit www.themayorscharityball.org.

Playhouse on Park is an award-winning destination for the performing arts.  Nestled in the vibrant Park Road neighborhood in West Hartford, Playhouse on Park is Hartford’s most affordable and intimate professional theatre, where the parking is free, the actors are right off Broadway, and the back row is just four seats from the stage. Playhouse Theatre Group, Inc., a non-profit organization founded in May 2009, manages the theatre that’s year-round performance/production schedule includes professional theatre, children’s plays, new works and readings, comedy and improvisation, cabarets, concerts, dance, educational classes and workshops, corporate events, and so much more.

HopeWorks, founded in 1973, provides hope and help to thousands of young people, (between the ages of 12 and 22) and their families through counseling, education and community outreach. HopeWorks strives to help individuals and their families find a sense of purpose, hope, and strength from within to cope with all of life’s challenges and opportunities.

Submitted by the Mayors Charity Ball committee.