The Stettler Community Hall was packed on Saturday afternoon, March 4 as the third annual Princess Ball was hosted to fundraise for cystic fibrosis (CF).
Princesses all decked in their finery had congregated to have a few hours of fun and dance, accompanied by their parents and family.
“Some ladies had attended the Princess Ball in Red Deer and loved it and approached me to see if they could host one here,” said Kelly Tibbets, President of Central Alberta Chapter, Cystic Fibrosis Canada. “I must confess, I was reluctant at first, this was my baby after all – but once I spoke with Renaye Pickett and Keri Snowden I knew that they had “got it” and that providing our guests with a magical afternoon was just as important as raising funds and awareness for Cystic Fibrosis.”
Tibbets said that even though organizing for next year begins soon after the event is over, as it was an ongoing process, most of the work happens from September to the event day.
“Between myself, Keri Snowden, Miranda Peterson, Renaye Pickett, Linda Haner and Kirsten Roth, it all came together,” Tibbets explained. “The concept doesn’t change all that much from year to year but it is modelled after Red Deer and the committee in Red Deer creates new ideas and decor.”
As 215 guests came to support this cause, more than $15,000 was raised and since 2015, more than $60,000.
“It’s a point of pride for me and an encouraging fact as the mother of a child with CF that this organization is nothing short of world class,” Tibbets said. “Canada has the highest median life expectancy in the world and thus the entire world looks to us to see what it is we are doing to ensure our patients live longer and healthier lives.”
Tibbets said that although Stettler hosted the only “small town” Princess Ball in all of Alberta, yet it raised just as much money on raffles and silent auction, which was amazing.
The event was graced by the presence of Rhonda McCulloch’s Danceology students, who greeted all guests and performed a short dance for all present, and added to the event by leading the small princesses on the floor, many shy attending the event for the first time.
“I would like to say a big thank you to the Kin Clubs of Stettler and all those who helped make the event a success,” Tibbets said.