The 2022 Birthday Ball was held on 12 November 2022 at the Best Western Gateway Grand. It was a great event. Our 207 guests were treated to a traditional ceremony, a plated dinner, live entertainment, raffles and dancing. Our Guest of Honor was the Marine Corps League Department of Florida Commandant Scott Westervelt.
The Ball does not happen without some dedicated workers and generous sponsors. For sponsors, our premier sponsor ($2,000) was the N.FL/S.GA Regional Health System. Our Eagle Sponsors ($1,000) were Bass Assassin, Jeffrey Meldon and SkyFrog Tree Service. Our Globe Sponsors ($500) were Campus Credit Union, Dan Newlin, Vernon Kisling and Milam Funeral Home. Our Anchor Sponsors ($250) were Adam Stout, Charles Berg, ComfortTemp, Trenton Animal Hospital, WastePro and Affordable Chiropractic. Between these sponsors and our program advertisements, there were over $9,000.00 in donations to help support this event.
No matter how much money you throw at it, the success of the event will be in the hands of those planning and executing. The staff of the Best Western Gateway Grand were super in the preparation of the event and then brought superior service at the Ball.
The Ball Committee paid attention to the details, even when the Chairman was out of town. Jim Hutto excelled on point for many of the preparations and planning. This included the major task of receiving all payments and assigning all seating. Sandra Torres-Pintos oversaw the traditional ceremony and the team members it took to carry it out. Sandy Golden added her touch to the decor - table cloths, flags, meal cards, table numbers, final room preparations.
Linda Yakubsin once again took on the task of acquiring and assembling the gifts for the raffle with the value of each item being at or above $200. She and her volunteers helped raise over $3,300 for the detachment.
Other Ball Committee members who met throughout the year for planning include Commandant Vernon Kisling, Past Commandant Jim Yakubsin and Chairman Scott DuPree.
The band Crooked Counsel provided us with great song selections which kept people on the dance floor.
Everyone enjoyed the venue. So we have secured the Best Western for our next Ball on November 10, 2024, which will also celebrate 100 years of the Marine Corps League and 25 years of the Gator Detachment. You can mark the date on your calendar, but when we open it for reservations, be quick to pay so you do not end up on a waiting list.
