Big Bad Ball: A Huge Success

The 5th Annual Big Bad Ball was a great success with many people coming together to enjoy the atmosphere and the nuiances that is the Capital City Club. A black tie event, the Big Bad Ball saw many distinguished guest bid on silent auction items, eat great food, drink fine wine, and support a great cause, Hospice of Wake County.

Karl Swink, general manager of the Capital City Club of Raleigh commented that the event went very well and initial figures place the proceeds at or very near last year's record mark of $120,000.

With silent auction items such as dinner with Mayor Meeker of Raleigh, cruises, and autographed UNC & NCST basketballs, the funds raised through the silent auction were dramatic. A hockey stick autographed by the members of the Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes raised around $1600.

"Due to the (NCST) football game on the same evening of the event we probably lost a little bit on the silent auction since many of the big spenders were at the game", stated Brian Propst, Chairperson of the Young Executives. The Young Executives created this event as a philanthropic endeavor to benefit the local Hospice chapter.

Steven W. Nelson, a local Realtor, member of the Capital City Club and officer with the Young Executives expressed his pleasure with this event. "It is a great way to reach out to the community. We have all had people who have been faced with end of life decisions and Hospice has been there for many of them. I personally have an aunt who spent more that three years on Hospice care before she passed and they were tremendous in their servicing of her personal needs during the fleeting moments of her life. I cannot think of a better organization to support." An angel sponsor, BBB committee member, and the Philanthropy Chair for the Young Executives, he has spent much time over the past 8 months to assist this event.

Much thanks should go to the two people who were most instrumental in bringing this great event the success it has seen this year. Brian Hollingsworth of Deloitte Touche is the Chairperson of the Big Bad Ball Committee for the last 3 years and has worked tirelessly to secure the major sponsors and coordinate the events of the evening. Additionally, Jessie Gani, Members Relations Director at the Capital City Club is a resource to the club that will be hard to replace if and/or when she ever leaves. "She is unbelievable", stated Steven when talking about her importance to this event.

For more information about this great event and its sponsors, you can check out there website.