The YMCA’s signature Beach Ball Gala event will be held in September to help raise funds to support the nonprofit’s Aquatic Financial Assistance program, which provides swim lessons and water safety instruction to at-risk children in South Florida. In 2021, Florida hit a new record with drownings up 44%, the most child drownings since 2009. The fundraiser, presented by Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, is set for 7 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, September 17, at the Intercontinental Miami Hotel, 100 Chopin Plaza in downtown Miami.
“We cannot discuss water safety and drowning prevention enough. Our kids’ lives, particularly those in underserved communities, depend on it,” Sheryl A. Woods says, YMCA of South Florida President and CEO. “We thank Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for their continued support, and our hope is that other sponsors will see the importance of our programs targeted to at-risk kids and join us in our mission. It’s a fun night, but with a very important message and a very critical cause.”
Attendees will enjoy a cocktail reception, dinner, live musical entertainment, dancing, a live auction and a wine wall. Tickets to the Beach Ball 2022 gala are $500 each, and underwriting sponsorship packages are available at $2,000 (includes two tickets) and $5,000 (includes four tickets). Platinum table sponsorships are available at $10,000 and include a table for 10 guests. To purchase tickets, sponsorships and for information on auction item donations, visit https://ymcasouthflorida.org/event/beachball/.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of death for children under 4 years old. Florida leads the country in child drownings of all ages, with Broward and Miami-Dade counties having the most drowning deaths in the state. The Y has been dedicated to teaching swim lessons for more than 100 years because formal swimming lessons reduce the likelihood of childhood drowning by 88%.
For more information, please contact Aimee Fretwell at AFretwell@YMCASouthFlorida.org or 954-334-9622, ext. 1045.
