Paint the Town Red: Charity League Snowball 08

It’s the Charity League event of the year: The 81st Annual Snowball is set for Wednesday, December 31 - New Year’s Eve - at the Carson Center. Members, family, friends and the recipients of the league’s amazing generosity will gather for this year’s red-hot theme: Paint the Town Red!

The action starts at 9 p.m. with entertainment by The Respectables and a DJ, and goes on into the wee hours of the morning complete with a balloon drop at midnight! A cash bar and a dessert bar will keep everyone fueled for a night of dancing and general carrying-on!

Tickets are $40 - $80 for two, and all proceeds benefit the Easter Seals of West Kentucky, which greatly depends on Snowball to help fund programs. Purchase tickets from any Charity League member or email Kelly Smith.

Here’s what some gorgeous Charity League moms and daughters - the daughters are the co-chairs of this year’s event - have to say about painting the town red!

Diane Adams, joined 1988
Kelly Smith, daughter, joined 2006

What does the Charity League mean to your family?
Diane: It made us more aware of the wonderful work of the Easter Seals. I thoroughly enjoyed the Charity League, and I’m thrilled that Kelly is enjoying it now, too. She’s developing new friends that she’ll have for the rest of her life - just like I did.

Kelly: Charity League is a common thread that my mother and I share. I remember going with her to The Follies and helping her pick out her dress for Snowball. And now I have two little girls who help me do the same thing!

What do you love about Snowball?
Diane: It’s a fun end-of-the-year social. I loved getting dressed up and enjoying the party with all my Charity League friends. It’s a wonderful experience - the league does such great work for our community.

Kelly: It’s a good way to end the year and begin the new year. And this year we have a balloon drop! That’s something you don’t get to do in Paducah very often!

Lupe McMillian, joined 1978
Marra McMillian, daughter-in-law, joined 2005

What does the Charity League mean to your family?
Lupe: I’ve loved the great group of women I became friends with. With Marra being new to the area, I encouraged her to join because it is such a great organization to be affiliated with. The league has meant so much to our family because we now have memories that we can pass on to the next generation.

Marra: I love the friendships that are formed and the willingness to devote so much time to help provide funding and awareness for such great organizations. I wanted to join because I was new to the area and wanted to meet new people. Lupe had so many wonderful stories. Her closest friends today are the women she met in Charity League in 1978.

What do you love about Snowball?
Lupe: When I was in the league, we made everything for Snowball ourselves - the centerpieces, all the decor and we even prepared full-course meals. I loved the entire evening, from the ball gowns to the creative centerpieces. You get to leave the kids at home and just have fun with your friends.

Marra: Snowball is our opportunity to dress in our formal attire and just have fun! The pre-parties help with that, too. My favorite part is seeing everyone laughing, dancing and cutting loose!

Connie Smith, joined 1986
Kelly McNutt, daughter, joined 2007

What does the Charity League mean to your family?
Connie: The Charity League has a lot of special memories for me. We worked hard on the Follies and the Bargain Fair. And we helped with the Easter Seals holiday parties. Turns out that my grandson attended the Easter Seals daycare. It is amazing how things come full circle.

Kelly: When I was younger, I remember going to the Charity League house with my mother to clean when it was her turn! I also remember the Follies and seeing her have the time of her life while being absolutely terrified at the same time!

What do you love about Snowball?
Connie: It gave us a chance to get together during the holidays, meet each other’s spouses and have a fun time while raising money for the Easter Seals. I still have some of the grapevine angels and concrete pots that we used for decorations. My husband has vivid memories of lugging those around for me!

Kelly: Snowball is a way to have fabulous New Year’s plans in a small town! A dynamic group of men and women celebrating the new year with drinks, music and dancing - all while benefiting a great cause! What new year’s plans can top that?