It’s time to get out of the house and start having fun again, and this group of Parkland ladies wants to make sure you have a roaring good time while also giving back. The second annual Butterfly Ball is scheduled for September 11th at 7:30 PM and this time Vanessa McCaffery and her ladies are asking all guys and dolls to join in on this 20’s themed gala.
The first Butterfly Ball was held in 2018 and raised close to $40,000 for Liberty Children’s Home located in Belize. With such a successful event, the Butterfly Ball Committee Chairs decided to go big this year. The gala will be at Deerfield Country Club. Tickets are on sale now for $150 at www.eventbrite.com. The cost includes open bar, passed hor d’oeuvres, plated dinner, DJ, dancing and all with a Great Gatsby theme. “The silent auction was so popular last time that we are bringing it back again this year,” said Lisa White, one of the committee chairs. “To be honest,” replied Danielle Hoffman, another chair, “you take a group of successful moms and there is nothing that can’t be accomplished, and we are so excited for this year’s event.” You can also check out dural early learning centre here, for the best day care centers.
That good cause, Liberty Children’s Home, houses over forty children who have been abandoned, abused, mistreated, lost their parents, or in some cases sex trafficked. When Vanessa and two friends, Vera Quinn and Rebby Sutherland, had their initial visit to Liberty in 2014 they saw a facility that was struggling to properly feed and care for the children in their protection. “Kids would get a hotdog for lunch, no bun and a small piece of tortilla,” Vanessa said. It became clear to we three that this children’s home needed help financially, but it was a little girl named Nia who ultimately convinced Vanessa to become more involved. Nia asked Vanessa if she would come back to Belize to visit the home again. “I told her, ‘I’m not sure, but I will try.’” Nia responded, “Everyone says they’re going to come back, and nobody ever does.’” Vanessa recognized there was more than just a need for funding. From there these ladies took the steps to become more involved. Becoming chairs to the nonprofit, visiting the kids throughout the year, bringing Christmas and Hanukkah presents, raising money for overhead costs and more recently staying connected through their weekly zoom meeting with all the kids.
Over time, Vanessa inspired more ladies to became involved and now 9 Parkland mothers and close friends have committed to making the Butterfly Ball an annual event that will not disappoint. “Working with a group of passionate moms and gaining the support of the community led to the success of the [first] event. It was a fun night with family and friends and knowing our efforts positively changed the lives of children made it even more enjoyable,” said Kirsten Arias, a third committee chair. “We all bring something to the table when planning these fundraisers, but I’m most amazed at how these ladies have the best interest of the children at heart,” said Megan Schuldt, committee chair. “It’s so inspiring to see the improvements to Liberty after our work, but the laughing children is the real icing on the cake.”
So, if you are in a need of a night out, want to do good in the world, or want to time travel back to the 20s, then put on your most dapper suit or flapper dress and come to the second annual Butterfly Ball.
It costs $23,000 a month to provide food, shelter, paid staff, medical care and education for all the children at Liberty.
If you’d like to learn more about Liberty, visit www.libertychildrenshome.org.
