The Junior League of Houston Raised Over $900,000 at Bon Temps Ball

The Good Times Rolled at Epic Three-Night 68th Annual Charity Ball

February 2016

The Junior League hosted the 68th Annual Charity Ball, Bon Temps Ball, and raised an impressive $904,053 to fund the Junior League’s Community Program and volunteer initiatives. Each evening provided a unique twist on the sights and sounds of New Orleans, with Friday night highlighting the “Downtown Blues,” and Saturday night featuring “Uptown Jazz.” Guests were greeted by a New Orleans horns section as they arrived and were met at the door by a receiving line, including Charity Ball Chairman Amy Dunn and President Mary Margaret “Mimi” Foerster. The receiving line ended at a volunteer wearing a dress made of champagne glasses that doubled as a serving station. The cocktail hour was a chance to preview auction items, which included getaways to Costa Rica, Napa Valley, St. Thomas and a breathtaking 18k white gold and diamond disc pendant featuring 4.5 carats of diamonds on an 18kt white gold diamonds by-the-yard chain handcrafted by one of the League’s Community Partners, Tenenbaum Jewelers. The ball wound its way through the facilities with a seated dinner held in a tent that transformed the Junior League’s backyard into a place of Mardi Gras merriment. The after party took place in the Ballroom and featured an over-the-top Mardi Gras float and dueling pianos, belting out songs at the request of attendees. Each night of Bon Temps Ball highlighted New Orleans-themed bands, along with musical and variety-style acts performed by talented Junior League members as part of a bluesy dinner theater.

Since 1949, the Charity Ball has served as an opportunity to celebrate the pivotal partnerships that enable the Junior League to continue its mission of training volunteers to champion positive change in the Houston community each year. For every dollar received from its generous donors, the Junior League is able to triple its value by pairing it with trained volunteers. As a result, the Junior League will contribute more than $2 million in volunteer time and direct financial support to 38 community projects and volunteer initiatives this year.