The Shepherdstown Rotary Club’s annual Christmas Charity Ball, which was held Dec. 4 at the Shepherdstown Volunteer Fire Department Hall, raised a total of $28,097 for 20 Eastern Panhandle nonprofit organizations.

The event was entitled “Our Ball, Your Charity.”

Individual Rotarians helped underwrite the Ball by sponsoring tables and contributing funds toward the costs of food, beverages, music and decorations. Four event sponsors covered the rest of those costs: Charles Town Races and Slots, Jefferson Security Bank, the Shepherd University Foundation, and the Bavarian Inn.

All the proceeds from the sale of tickets to each table were then donated to a charity selected by that table’s host. There was no fixed price for tickets; instead, attendees were asked to make appropriate contributions.

Each table was also given the opportunity to participate in a silent auction, and all the auction proceeds went to the designated charities as well.

“The non-profit organizations of the Eastern Panhandle play a vital role in the social fabric of our community,” said Club President Doug Alexander. “The Rotary Ball is a chance for us to show our support for these organizations and for theimportant work theyundertake.”

Shepherdstown Public Library Director Hali Taylor described her organization’s participation by saying,”The Rotary Ball is one of our most important yearly fundraisers, and we thank you so much for the opportunity to participate with you!”

Members of Shepherd University’s Rotaract Club served as hosts by welcoming guests, guiding then to their seats and checking coats.

The nonprofit organizations that benefited from the event were as follows: Arts and Humanities Alliance of Jefferson County, Alzheimer’s Association, Animal Welfare Society, The Arts Centre, Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, CASA of the Eastern Panhandle, Contemporary American Theater Festival, Friends in Action, Friends of Happy Retreat, Good Shepherd Caregivers, Healthy Smiles, Historic Shepherdstown Commission, Hospice of the Eastern Panhandle, Jefferson County Council on Aging, Potomac Valley Audubon Society, ROTC Angels, Shepherd University Annual Fund, Shepherdstown Day Care, Shepherdstown Public Library, and Shepherdstown Rotary Foundation.