The Moose Jaw Health Foundation’s (MJHF) Little Princess Ball is returning on May 28 and 29 after two years in limbo. The event will raise money for a new incubator for the women’s health unit at the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital.
“It’s been a couple of years,” said Kelly McElree, executive director of the MJHF. “So, the committee really wants to create a princess ball that’s never been seen before. The Moose Jaw Health Foundation, the board, and all the staff are so grateful to the Princess Ball committee, because over the years they’ve impacted the Women’s Health Unit at the hospital so significantly.”
Tickets for the ball sold out within hours of being offered despite the $80 per person price. Numbers were limited this year by the honouring of tickets purchased for the 2020 ball, which was postponed because of public health orders. Many 2020 ticket-holders held on to their tickets while they waited for a return to normality.
There will be two evenings for the ball on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29 at the Heritage Inn. The doors open at 3:30 p.m., giving parents and kids half an hour to find their favourite princess, goggle at the decorations, and take photos. There will also be crafts and activities to check out throughout the evening.
The program begins at 4:00 p.m. An MC will get the evening rolling and coordinate each part of the schedule. There will be entertainment, followed by supper. There is more entertainment after supper before the actual dance from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
“It’s just very sparkly and magical,” said committee chair Elaine Crocker. “Then at eight o’clock, by that time the kids have had four hours of overstimulation and they’re ready to go home.”
When asked about this year’s theme, Crocker replied, “Nice try!”
“There’s a unique theme created by the volunteers,” McElree explained. “It’s an absolute best-kept-secret theme, so when children walk through those doors, they’ve never seen anything like it. And it’s just full of sugar, glitter, and magic. The committee outdoes themselves every year.”
Past balls have contributed to the purchase of equipment including heart monitors, Panda beds, and isolette incubators. This year’s project is another incubator for the Women’s Health Unit. Isolette incubators protect vulnerable newborns by maintaining ideal temperature, oxygen, and humidity levels and reducing the risk of infection.
“It’s a warm, safe environment for a newborn, and it allows the mom and baby to stay together,” McElree said.
McElree said that the ball is truly original to Moose Jaw, and loved by the community. He credited the volunteers who create the event for pouring their hearts and souls into every detail.
“We’re so thankful to have such dedicated people in our community that help out the hospital’s youngest patients,” McElree said.
