The 35th Annual Friends of Kuemper Ball took place over the weekend and netted more than $550,000 for Carroll’s Catholic school system. Dinner at Sunday’s event was catered by the Lidderdale Country Store, with entertainment provided by the Soya Vista Orchestra and A Time of Your Life DJ, Scott Masching. Ball Co-Chairs, Rich and Tonya Ortner and Josh and Valerie Riesberg, said the evening really highlighted what it means to be a part of Kuemper.
A new fundraising effort was introduced for this year’s event, a last-minute digital blitz in the final hours leading up to the grand total announcement. In less than two hours, an additional $2,500 was generated. The Ortners said this showcased how important social media will be to the Kuemper Ball moving forward.
Saturday’s ball was the culmination of many hours of hard work and preparation by many volunteers and was the first under Alumni and Giving Director, Cindy Lawler. She said it has been clear to her for a long time how wonderful the community’s support for Kuemper is, but it is even more incredible when viewed from the organizational side of things.
A fundraising total of $554,667 was announced during the event. A record 991 Ag Raffle tickets were sold this year, with $10,000 in credit to Haley Equipment, Jet’s Outdoor Power, Olsen’s Outdoor Power or Van Wall Equipment going to John and Connie Bruner. The popular Vehicle Raffle, sponsored by Motor Inn, Wittrock Motors, Champion Ford, New Way Ford, Macke Motors and Team Auto Group, was awarded to Mark and Linda O’Leary. Lawler had a message for everybody who helped to make the evening a success.
She noted that fundraising total will likely increase in the coming days as last-minute donations are received.
