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More than 400 tickets were sold and 52 event sponsors were recruited for this year’s 5^th Annual Mayors’ Shamrock Ball held March 3, which netted $27,000 for Valley Industries Sheltered Workshop to help this organization continue its mission of providing dignified, meaningful employment for adults with development disabilities.  This is an increase of approximately $3,000 over last year’s totals, announced Hazelwood Police Chief and Shamrock Ball Event Chairman Carl Wolf.

“This speaks volumes about the tremendous support we received from the community and local businesses for Valley Industries,” said Chief Wolf.  “Despite a down economy, it was great to see that we surpassed our efforts last year and more people saw the value of purchasing tickets for our cause.  St. Louisans are known for their generosity and the large crowd we had at Garden Villas North is living proof of that fact.”

The Mayors’ Shamrock Ball has turned into North County’s biggest social soirée of the year.  Guests were able to meet the mayors of three North County communities who were program hosts:  Mayor Norman McCourt of Black Jack; Mayor Tom Schneider of Florissant; and Mayor Matthew Robinson of Hazelwood.  In addition, other state/local elected officials and area business leaders were on hand to give guests an opportunity to network with some of the region’s prominent “movers and shakers.”

For this year’s event, more chances were created to win something which may have been a contributing factor to the big turnout.  The Delmar Garden’s Family donated a 32” flat screen TV to be given away.  Also, a $10 raffle was held for a Treasure Chest of Happiness containing $500-$750 worth of assorted spirits and liquor with the proceeds benefiting Valley Industries.  In addition, Florissant Councilwoman Karen McKay and her former salon, Hairbenders, provided all the attendance door prizes.  Plus, everyone who bought a ticket was allowed to join the “Party in the Penthouse” on the facility’s third floor.

The evening’s festivities began with a performance of young dancers representing the Saint Louis Irish Arts.  Afterwards, the crowning of the King and Queen of the Mayors’ Shamrock Ball took place.  The chosen candidates were Valley Industries’ Workers of the Year for 2011, Bill Becker and Ivory Harris.  The Bob Kuban Band then started to rock the house playing “live” music.  Couples, both young and old alike, kept the dance floor busy all night long.

The catering for six food stations was donated by Catering to You, Choices Catering Brokerage, Helfer’s Pastries and Deli Café, Longhorn Steakhouse, Mattingly’s Sports Bar and Grill, and O’Charley’s Restaurant.  Each station offered a variety of delectable hors d’oeuvres, signature menu items, pastries, and desserts.  Guests were given a card to be punched at every food station, encouraging them to walk around and sample all the food.  They were then instructed to drop their cards in a fish bowl for the attendance prize drawings   Yacovelli’s Restaurant hosted the two bars and t Anheuser-Busch/InBev donated beer products. The following were key sponsors

Event Sponsors: Ameren Missouri; Florissant License Office (owned and operated by the Rotary Club of Florissant); and The Delmar Garden’s Family (includes Delmar Garden’s North & Garden Villas North)

Pot of Gold Sponsors ($1,000 Level):  Allied Waste Services; Anheuser-Busch/InBev; Antennas Direct; BBi Constructors; Complete Auto Body & Truck Repair; Firefighters Local 2665; Florissant Councilwoman Karen McKay; Household Essentials; Karen McKay DBA Hairbenders; Minuteman Press; North County Inc.; SSM DePaul Health Center; US Foods; White Auto Body; and Yacovelli’s Restaurant.

Leprechaun Sponsors ($500 Level):  Amanda Ceresia; American Traffic Solution; Aviator Business Park; Black Jack, Mo.; Bolin Services; Bommarito Nissan, Honda, & VW of Hazelwood; Bridal Connections; Charter Communications; Citizens National Bank; Florissant, Mo.; Gina Walsh; Hazelwood, Mo.; Mungenast Hyundai; Nimmons Wealth Management; Paul Cerame Ford & Kia; Plumbers of Pipefitters 562; Sun Rental; The Boyle Law Firm LLC; and United Technologies Corporation.