Holly Ball 2022 Pivots to French-Inspired Picnic Basket Pickup Event
By Julie Perine on January 14, 2022
The Holly Ball, hosted annually by the auxiliary to United Hospital Center, will once again be a takeout event. Those who want to support this year's fundraiser are invited to purchase a French-inspired picnic basket for two, handcrafted by Hart Kitchen. The basket will be filled with cheeses and saucissons, baguettes, pastries, mustard, tapenade, choice of French wine and a Holly Ball memento.. Pickup will be 4-7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4 at UHC's Cancer Center entrance. There are only 100 picnic baskets available.
Items are currently being collected for the always popular silent auction. Items to be bid on will include gift baskets, a Canaan Valley package, two Courtyard by Marriott overnight stays, handmade charcuterie boards, personal training sessions at The Bridge, entertainment and sports packages, and more.
Up until earlier this week, a dinner/dance had been planned for Feb. 5 at Pete Dye Golf Club, where guests were to be treated to an International cuisine experience and live music by Crimson Reign. Holly Ball co-chairs Krysta Fazalare and Toma Courtney, along with their committee, have worked for months to ensure a fun, festive experience.
Also planned from the get-go was the French picnic basket pickup option. But due to rapidly increasing COVID cases, it was ultimately decided that the in-person event was not of anyone's best interest.
"We planned for this possibility," said Lora Edgell, Director of Development for UHC. "We have pivoted our Holly Ball 'Around the World Festival' to a pick-up event only. And with so much planning in place, we will be ready to host the 'Around the World Festival' at Pete Dye in 2023."
Download an auction packet or learn about sponsorship opportunities HERE at the Holly Ball Web site, where you can also reserve a picnic
basket, crafted for two and priced at $200. Deadline to purchase is Friday, Jan. 21.
basket, crafted for two and priced at $200. Deadline to purchase is Friday, Jan. 21. 
The 2021 Holly Ball was also a pickup event, held at the Robinson Grand Theater in Clarksburg. The public was very receptive and supported it in a big way.
Organizers hope supporters will understand and appreciate the committee's efforts and will support the important fundraising behind the Holly Ball. Proceeds this year will benefit the UHC School of Nursing.
