The formal affair on the year’s most romantic night was a new venture for PACT’s Kauai Family Visitation Center. The nonprofit’s regional director, Bill Range, makes no bones about it — they didn’t have any experience trying to pull off
The formal affair on the year’s most romantic night was a new venture for PACT’s Kauai Family Visitation Center.
The nonprofit’s regional director, Bill Range, makes no bones about it — they didn’t have any experience trying to pull off such an eloquent evening, which doubled as a fundraiser for the 501(c)3.
And that was stressful.
“I’m relieved,” Range said this week, after having sold more than 50 tickets for the event, ensuring the ball would go on as scheduled. “It’s been a big learning curve for me, I can tell you that.”
Slow sales initially jeopardized the inaugural dance and silent auction but that’s changed. Once crawling, word on the Sweetheart’s Ball is now two-stepping.
“It’s a go,” Range said.
The ball will be from 6 to 10 tonight at the Kauai Marriott Resort on Kalapaki Beach in Lihue. A formal and semi-formal dinner and dance, music will be provided by the 10-piece orchestra, Kauai Pro-AM Show Band, under the direction of Wayne Daniels. Cash bar, candlelight, the event provides an intimate, yet social, environment couples can share with others. Dinner seating includes tables that seat four, six, eight, depending on how cozy couples would like to dine.
“If you want to just sit with your sweetheart, or another couple, you have that capability,” Range said. “I think it’s really a nice recipe for a really nice evening.”
Silent auction items include outdoor experiences, such as repelling, overnight packages at top-end resorts, art, jewelry and more.
And don’t forget the orchestra, who’s there to provide the backdrop for twirling your significant other around.
“It’s a fabulous night,” Range said. “It’s a great deal, but really what they’re doing (by going) is supporting the kids.”
Tickets cost $65, or $75 at the door. Proceeds benefit the center, which provides supervised child visitation and exchanges. Supervised visitation allows children the opportunity to bond with an estranged parent and spares them from being caught up in the crossfire of divorce or separation.
The idea for tonight’s dance came to the nonprofit’s organizers after two grants for funding were no longer available. The grants shifted their funding focus, and Parents And Children Together (PACT) — located at 4-1579 Kuhio Highway, Ste. 201A in Kapaa — was no longer eligible to apply.
So what about a sweetheart’s dance instead?
“It was kind of a no-brainer for me, I was like, ‘let’s do this,’” Range said, adding that it’s been less stressful of late knowing ticket sales have taken off, and the show will go on. “I had fun with it in the process.”
Info: 821-0574.
