Heart ball features dinner, dancing, auction

The 18^th annual New Bern Heart Ball hopes to raise more than $70,000 this year to aid the American Heart Association’s research and education on heart disease, the number one killer of Americans.

According to the Heart Association, more than 36,000 babies are born every year with a heart defect and more than nine million children are overweight.

The 6 p.m. ball is Feb. 25 at the New Bern Convention Center, with dinner, a silent auction and live music.

The evening features dancing to the Motown and 1970s classics by Class Act of Virginia, with band leader Stephon Hurt. 

Spokesman Cindy H. Belangia said the live and silent auctions will provide a wide range of items of interest to men, women and couples.

The ballroom is open upon entry with 25 items available for silent bidding during cocktail hour in Heritage Hall.

That will be followed by a catered dinner by the Chelsea Restaurant.

A fast-paced 30-minute live auction will feature additional items.

“The donors were extremely generous in providing unique and exciting items,” Belangia said.   “Bidders will see some of their prior favorites back this year, but also there are quite a few fresh new items which should appeal to many.”

A number of trips are included in the auctions, to North Carolina’s beaches and mountains. One addition is a weeklong stay in Highlands and another is a weekend in the Shenandoah Mountains in Luray, Va.

There’s an hour-long helicopter ride to your location of choice, as well as a private airplane trip to Ocracoke, complete with a walk on the beach, lunch at Howard’s Pub, and home again.

There are also weekend stays locally such as the Hilton, Comfort Suites and River Dunes.

Health-related items include memberships to the YMCA, Sound Fitness & Golf and Snap Fitness. Another item is a wellness retreat in Chapel Hill in April.

A new item is a basket of quality skin care products donated by the Zannis Center for Plastic Surgery.

Home products for bid include a Bosch dishwasher, or a bathroom ensemble of faucets, matching shelves, towels and toiletry items donated by Moen.

There is donated artwork by artists such as Jim Bisbee, Hunter Stephenson, Nancy Bowers and photography by John Angelo.

An event item is a Girls Night Out party, with clothing by the Intimate bridal and formal wear shop.

Jewelry is also on the bidding table with a piece donated by Hearne’s Jewelers, or bid on a circa 1860 heirloom brooch.

Live auction items feature variety, such as a trip to Jungle Bay Resort and Spa in the West Indies; an oyster roast for 50 people; a three-night stay for the September Indianapolis Arts Festival, with a performance by the Indiana Symphony; and a family week-long vacation in Utah.

There is a Costa Rica fishing package or a dove hunting trip in Argentina, compliments of Capt. George Beckwith, owner of Down East Guide Service.

Confidential Records Management is the sponsor of this year’s silent auction. Sumrell, Sugg, Carmichael, Hicks and Hart, P.A. is the live auction sponsor.

Tickets are $100 each, tax deductible. Contact the American Heart Association or visit the Web site. Tables of 10 are available and include an individual or company name in the program. Attire is formal.

Charlie Hall can be reached at 252-635-5667 or chall@freedomenc.com. Follow him on Twitter @charlierayhall