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Revenues Generated for 6th Annual Mayors’ Shamrock Ball Exceed 2012
Preliminary estimates indicate the 6th Annual Mayors’ Shamrock Ball held March 2 to benefit Valley Industries Sheltered Workshop was the biggest and best ever. Event organizers report selling 468 tickets, which was an increase of 70 over last year’s totals.
Estimated earnings are projected to be around $35,000 net, up nearly $8,000 than in 2012.
The biggest impact came from an overwhelming response from the North County business community. More than 77 sponsors signed up for the following donation levels: Event Sponsor – $5,000; Emerald Sponsor – $2,500; Pot of Gold Sponsor – $1,000; Leprechaun Sponsor – $500; and Shamrock Sponsor – $250. “The addition of Ferguson as one of the host cities was a contributing factor to this increase of support. It opened the door for other North County businesses and residents to get involved in this event which is growing in popularity,” said Chief Carl Wolf (ret.), Shamrock Ball Event Chairman.
After accepting an award honoring The Delmar Gardens Family and Garden Villas North for being an Event Sponsor, Gabe Grossberg, president and CEO, announced the company’s 50th anniversary and its 25 years of service to the North County community. He also presented Valley Industries with an additional $2,500 donation. This was above and beyond providing the event site and other amenities. Paul Detrick, past president of the Rotary Club of Florissant, received a similar Event Sponsor award for his organization. In 1967, the Rotary Club of Florissant became Valley Industries’ first donor. In 2011, the Rotary Club reached an impressive bench mark of $575,000 in donations to Valley Industries over the years.
The Emerald Sponsors included Ameren Missouri and former Florissant Councilwoman Karen McKay. In November 2011, Ameren Missouri donated a half-acre parcel of land, valued at $60,000, to help create a second entrance at Valley Industries for better public safety and traffic flow
McKay donated all the gift baskets that were given away to guests as attendance prizes at this year’s event, and has been doing this every year since the event’s inception six years ago.
Several state, county and local elected officials were on hand to show support for Valley Industries. Some of them included Congressman Lacy Clay’s district manager Lou Aboussie, State Senator Gina Walsh – District13, State Representative Margo McNeil – District 69, and St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley.
Guests who paid $100 per ticket to attend St. Louis’ premiere “green tie” formal affair were able to walk around and sample delicious food, hors d’oeuvres, and pastries at several food stations manned by these restaurants and catering services: Catering You; Choices Catering; Delmar Gardens; Helfer’s Pastries & Deli; Meyer’s Country Cottage and Irish Pub; Mattingly’s Sports Bar & Grill; Pasta House; Piccolino’s Italian Grocer; and Yacovelli’s sponsored the bar.
They were also treated to top shelf entertainment throughout the night. Two dance groups, Clarkson School of Irish Dance and The Clark Academy of Irish Dance, kicked off the festivities with dazzling performances. The Clark Academy dancers were the ones who auditioned at The Fox Theater for NBC-TV’s “America’s Got Talent” last year. They were voted to go on to the semi-finalist round in Las Vegas. Additionally, guests danced the night away to the upbeat music of The Bob Kuban Band.
Each year, Valley Industries selects two Workers of the Year to be crowned King and Queen of the Shamrock Ball. This year’s winners were Mike Riner and Lynette Roberson. They were both dressed up as royalty with capes and crown/tiara, and given the honor of cutting the official Shamrock Ball cake. The runner-ups were Mark Averill and Mary Beth Webb.
Other event features included a Party in the Penthouse, attendance and raffle prizes, as well as a grand prize drawing of a 32” flat screen TV donated by Garden Villas.
