ANZ Community Ball an outstanding success for SA charities
The final tally of the annual ANZ Community Ball exceeded all expectations, raising much needed funds for 12 charities.
James Morrison supported the ANZ Community Ball throughout 2020 and his Motown Band entertained the 750 guests on the night.
The night was a major success with more than $318,000 raised for the local charities.
Some 750 people attended the ball that was supported by more than 100 local businesses.
The ANZ Community Ball included a raffle where a new 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid was the prize, a silent auction where guests and the public could bid on 150 items, a wine wall, photo booth and live auction.
The highlight of the night was the live auction which saw nine items auctioned off including, a McLaren Vale winemaking experience by Dowie Doole sold for $27,000 and a Wine and Food Lovers Experience through the Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley donated by Ed Peter selling for $30,000.
In total, the live auction raised $126,000 alone.
ANZ Business Banking General Manager for SA/NT Brendan Rinaldi said the night exceeded all expectations.
“To celebrate like that was certainly nice considering we haven’t been able to do it for a while,” said Rinaldi
“Those sort of events do not happen without the community’s support.
Due to COVID-19, last year many local charities were forced to cancel and postpone their fundraising programs, significantly impacting their ability to deliver much needed programs to the local community.
The major beneficiary and host of the fundraiser was the Jodi Lee Foundation which was founded 11 years ago when Nick Lee lost his wife Jodi to bowel cancer.
The Adelaide-based charity reaches millions of Australians through its national initiatives to empower people to take active steps to prevent bowel cancer.
Jodi Lee Foundation Chair, Nick Lee was proud of the efforts by all.
“Congratulations to all for achieving such a fantastic result for the charities who contribute so much to the SA community,” Lee posted on Facebook.
Lee said hosting the ball allowed the charity to educate more South Australians about the dangers of Australia’s second-biggest cancer killer.
The other major charities involved included the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Backpacks 4 SA Kids, the Hutt St Centre, Lifechanger and United Way SA.
The ball also included live performances from the James Morrison band and the Prince Alfred College Big Band One.
InDaily continued their ongoing support for the community ball as a gold sponsor.
Unable to host the event last year due to the pandemic, Rinaldi said he was glad to be able to hold the event this year and thanked all those involved for their continuing support.
