On Dec. 16, the annual Enloe Charity Ball will take place at 7 p.m. at Marbles Kids Museum. The ball comes at the end of the school’s biggest fundraiser and is a chance for students to dress up and have fun with friends. 

The money raised goes to a different charity each year, and this year’s beneficiary is Neighbor to Neighbor. Their mission is “to reverse the effects of poverty through mentoring relationships that focus specifically on education, development, and spirituality,” according to their website. The goal for funds raised this year is $165 thousand. 

How We Get to Charity Ball 

There are lots of different fundraisers for students to participate in, and the money raised from all of them will go towards the Charity Ball beneficiary. One fundraiser that’s been taking place for all of November is the 2A Wars. During 2A wars, students could donate an amount of money of their choosing under their 2A teacher’s name. For the classes that donated the most money, the prizes are as follows: 

• 1st place: Bojangles Breakfast and teacher gift card.
• 2nd Place: Krispy Kreme and teacher gift card.
• 3rd Place: Teacher gift card.

Enloe has been doing 2A wars for at least five years, along with many other fundraisers. 

Regan Lloyd, head of the Finance Committee on Enloe Stuco, says, “[2A Wars] is more to get the teachers involved because we want to give the teachers an incentive to get students to donate money and participate.” 

For example, Mr. Lewis told his 2A class that he would get a tattoo if his class raised over a thousand dollars. 

When it comes to other forms of fundraising for Charity Ball, Lloyd says, “Any event that takes place during the charity ball season, like kickball and chess tournaments, the money they’re giving to participate in the event goes directly to the funds for Charity Ball.”

One fundraiser coming up is hot chocolate and coffee sales in the West Gym Lobby the week before Charity Ball. Students will have the opportunity to buy a cup of hot chocolate or coffee before 1st period with the money they spend counting towards Charity Ball. 

“All of the committees fundraise in some way, but the biggest thing about Finance is we organize the money that we get. Our committee is the smallest on Council, so we’re very tight-knit. Our biggest responsibility is tracking funds and seeing the contributions that come in for Charity Ball,” says Lloyd.

Why Students Should Care About This Year’s Beneficiary

 Any of the groups Enloe has partnered with for Charity Ball have a direct stake in our community. Neighbor to Neighbor specifically, makes a very noticeable impact on students. 

“There are even students at Enloe that go to Neighbor to Neighbor. That’s the point of Charity Ball, seeing these organizations make an impact in your community,” says Lloyd. 

No matter how big or small, all donations help, and are going to a great cause. When students make a donation to Charity Ball, they’re making a donation to a group that helps Enloe. To donate go to nccommunityfoundation.org and click “Give To This Fund.”