121st Charity Ball Nets Record-Breaking $96,000 for Mission

Pictured: Members of The Charity Club with Co-Chairs Molly Jaster and Holly Luehring (center)

The Charity Club, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the health and nutrition of children in Fond du Lac, raised over $96,000 at the 121st Charity Ball on December 3, 2021. The red carpet-themed gala was held at Hotel Retlaw.

Net profits will be directed to children and families in the community; 60% benefits The Milk Fund and 40% benefits local program and project needs. “The Charity Club is 100% volunteer-based. The money raised does not go into administration costs, but directly back into the community,” said Holly Luehring, gala co-chair.

The Charity Ball saw record-breaking numbers not only in net profits, but also sponsorship and attendance. The gala’s success was achieved in-part through a multitude of fundraising methods, including live and silent auctions, a jewelry raffle, and a cash raffle.

Sponsors of The Charity Ball were Michels Corporation, SSM Health, Associated Bank, National Exchange Bank & Trust, Holiday Automotive, Vir-Clar Farms, C.D. Smith, Bob’s Pizza, J. F. Ahern, Society Insurance, Sadoff Family Foundation, Adashun Jones, Signature Homes by Adashun Jones, Alliant Energy, Huberty, Grande, Partners by Design, Lakeside Wealth Management, Rural Mutual Insurance Company, Baker Cheese, TTI Inc, Lake Breeze Dairy, LLC, Millhouse, Red Tail Ridge Dairy, Clover Hill Dairy, McNamara & Thiel Insurance Agency, Radio Plus, Westphal, Summit Automotive, and The Goldsmith.

“We are overwhelmed by the support and passion of our loyal sponsors and guests, and we are enthused to continue the tradition of providing milk to children in our community,” said gala co-chair Molly Jaster. “Netting over $96,000 is truly a testament to the generosity of those who believe in Fond du Lac and support the mission of The Charity Club.”

Having been established in 1900, The Charity Club is the oldest charitable organization in the city of Fond du Lac. The first Charity Ball was held in 1910 at the home of Edwin Galloway, the now historic Galloway House. According to a newspaper article in 1970, The Charity Ball has been held every year since the turn of the century with the exception of the years during the two World Wars. The Charity Ball was held virtually in 2020 in response to a global pandemic.

Charity Club announces Charity Ball

Two females holding a poster
CO-Chairs Molly Jaster and Holly Luehring

The Fond du Lac Charity Club is rolling out the red carpet for their 121st annual fundraising gala, The Charity Ball, on Friday, December 3 from 7:00 p.m. to midnight at Hotel Retlaw, 1 N. Main Street, Fond du Lac. 

The gala will once again raise funds and awareness for the Club’s time-honored initiative of supporting the nutritional health of children and families in Fond du Lac County. Each year, 60% of the event proceeds are directed to The Milk Fund and the remaining 40% is allocated to support community programs.

This year’s Charity Ball is led by co-chairs Molly Jaster, marketing and communications manager at the Fond du Lac Area Foundation, and Holly Luehring, director of marketing and communications at Michels Corporation.

“The red carpet theme provides many opportunities to make the gala a memorable and meaningful evening,” said Co-chair Holly Luehring. “The spotlight will shine on our guests and their generous support of children in our community.”

The evening will feature a silent auction, a live auction, and the Buy-a-Chug jewelry raffle courtesy of The Goldsmith. To participate in the silent auction, text MILK to 71760 starting at noon on December 3.

The Charity Ball has a long track record of success, having netted profits of $71,344 in 2018, $76,216 in 2019, and $59,100 in 2020. The 2020 Charity Ball was an at-home, virtual event in response to COVID-19. 

Co-chair Molly Jaster said “The Charity Ball plays a critical role in allowing our organization to fulfill its mission each year. We are proud to say that in the last decade, thanks in part to the generous Ball guests and sponsors, The Charity Club has donated over $500,000 from The Milk Fund to those in need throughout Fond du Lac.”

Tickets to The Charity Ball are available for $75 at www.hometowntickets.com or at the door the evening of the event. Guests will enjoy live music from Star Six Nine, heavy hors d’oeuvres and desserts, and many special features throughout the evening. For more information, visit www.fdlcharityclub.org.

The Charity Ball is made possible through the generous sponsorship of the following organizations: Hollywood Star: Michels Corporation and SSM Health; Media: Radio Plus; Band: Holiday Automotive; Cigar Roller: Bob’s Pizza and Just Love Coffee; Gold: C.D. Smith Construction, J. F. Ahern Co., Society Insurance; Supporting Role: Associated Bank, Sadoff Family Foundation; Bronze: Alliant Energy, Adashun Jones, Signature Homes by Adashun Jones; Friend of The Charity Club: Baker Cheese, Lakeside Wealth Management, Lake Breeze Dairy, TTI, Inc. 

Charity Ball at Home

Charity Ball at Home 2020

We are deeply grateful to our many Charity Ball at Home sponsors and supporters. This year has put significant strain on events and fundraisers, and the annual Charity Ball was no exception.

We send a huge THANK YOU to everyone for their support of the Charity Ball at Home. We look forward to announcing the total impact of our virtual event in the coming weeks.All proceeds from the sale of packages, Cash Raffle tickets, and silent auction items will benefit The Milk Fund and children in Fond du Lac County.

We look forward to getting back to an in-person event! Save the date for Friday, December 3, 2021!

Thank you to our sponsors who continue to support our mission.

Charity Club Announces New Fundraising Options

Fond du Lac, Wis. (September 14, 2020): The Fond du Lac Charity Club announced today based on an abundance of caution it will not host their in-person signature fundraising event – the Charity Ball in 2020. 

The Charity Ball was scheduled for Friday, December 4 at Hotel Retlaw. 

“Our priority is the health and safety of our attendees, event staff, and Charity Club members, and as such we are following the recommendations of local and national health experts by cancelling the event which normally sees attendance of over 275 individuals,” said Donna Pierce, Charity Ball Co-Chair.

All proceeds raised from the event are used to assist children in the area. 60 percent of the proceeds are earmarked to the milk fund and the remaining funds are used to support local charitable organizations, families, or specific projects which benefit children. In 2019, the Charity Ball raised $76,000.

This is a big year for Charity Club in what would have been its 120th year.  Even though the Charity Club is not hosting the in-person event, the Charity Club will carry on their traditional fundraising methods and offering fresh new virtual events.

  • Cash raffle tickets will be available for purchase. Tickets are 1 for $20, 3 for $50 or 6 for $100
  • A virtual silent auction will be held by using Text2Bid. The silent auction will be available via Text2Bid by texting the key word MILK to 71760 starting at noon on Monday November 30.
  • Charity Ball at home. Stay tuned as more details will be released.

“We appreciate the generous support from our past attendees, sponsors, and donors of the Charity Ball. As the fundraising will be different this year, we continue to ask for your continued support,” said Ellen Kant, Charity Club president.