Birmingham Group Health Services, Inc.’s (BGHS) The Umbrella domestic violence program and the Rape Crisis Center of Milford will hold the 6th Annual Bridesmaids’ Ball, Friday, Sept. 25, 2009, from 7:30 pm to midnight at Race Brook Country Club in Orange.
All proceeds from the event, which is being emceed by WTNH News Channel 8’s Jodi Latina and Ted Koppy, will benefit the two non-profit organizations which serve women and children in the Lower Naugatuck Valley and Milford communities.
Each year, in Connecticut, over 50,000 women and their children are affected by domestic violence. Each year, in America, someone is sexually assaulted every two minutes, and one in four girls and one in six boys are sexually assaulted by the age of 18.
The Umbrella program provides domestic violence services to over 2,000 women and 200 children each year, while the Rape Crisis Center of Milford provides services to over 300 victims of sexual assault.
“The Bridesmaids’ Ball provides a valuable opportunity for our two organizations to work together to not only raise funds for the critical services we provide, but to also raise awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault,” said Arlene Greco, Director of Development for BGHS, Inc. “The ball helps us to double our outreach efforts and engage a much broader audience in the fight against these devastating issues.”
Tickets to this year’s Bridesmaids’ Ball, which is a dance for both men and women, are $75 per person.
The ticket price includes a night of dancing, fabulous food, wine, and silent auction and live auctions.
The live auction is a new component of the event and organizers are hoping it will bring some added excitement to the evening.
Organizers are also hoping that the majority of attendees choose to wear the formal attire that is a hallmark of the annual event.
“The idea behind the Bridesmaids’ Ball is to provide the opportunity for women and men to dust off and don their old bridesmaids’ gowns, tuxedos, and/or other formal wear hidden in the back of their closets,” said Greco. “The outfits aren’t required (formal wear, of any kind, is optional), but seeing everyone dressed-up makes the evening a lot more fun.”
GE Commercial Finance is the Marquis sponsor of the 6th Annual Bridesmaids’ Ball, other event sponsors include the Junior Women’s Club of Milford, Middletown Nissan, Tomasella, Schlitter & Burrell P.C., and Themis, Nicole and Theodora Klarides. WTNH – News Channel 8 is the event’s media sponsor.
For more information about the Bridesmaids’ Ball, or to purchase tickets, call Birmingham Group Health Services, Inc. at (203) 736‑2601, ext. 321, or the Rape Crisis Center of Milford at (203) 874‑8712.
