Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas (BBBS) recently held its 21st annual Ice Ball Gala at the Downtown JW Marriott. More than 600 attendees enjoyed a glamorous evening that began with a cocktail reception and included a seated dinner, live and silent auctions, and an after-party. The black-tie event raised over $873,000 to support BBBS’ mission of matching adult mentors with youth.
The Ice Ball Gala is the signature fundraising event for BBBS. Since its inception in 2005, the Ice Ball has raised millions of dollars to support youth mentoring programs in Central Texas.
Kedrick Jeffries, CEO of BBBS, remarked, “Mentorship is the key that unlocks opportunity. When young people have someone in their corner, they are more confident, more resilient, and better equipped to achieve their dreams. Fundraisers like our Ice Ball Gala are so important because they provide the critical funding needed to sustain these life-changing mentoring relationships, and we need that support now more than ever. The generosity we received at Ice Ball ensures that more youth in our community can experience that connection and build the future they deserve.”
Highlights of the evening included the “Fund-a-Friendship” paddle raise in which guests pledged their support to create and sustain a mentoring relationship, valued at $2200 per match. In addition, a local jeweler and a local jewelry designer donated beautiful pieces used as prizes.
The live and silent auctions featured extraordinary dining and traveling packages, as well as items uniquely Austin. Items to bid on included dinner prepared by a Michelin-starred chef, a Caribbean getaway, an ACL weekend pass, and an Austin FC package, to name a few.
The glitzy after-party included exciting casino games and a Teakeasy + Tito’s Speakeasy with signature cocktails. Austin’s own “DJ Cassandra” electrified the crowd and had them dancing late into the evening.
BBBS currently serves over 500 youth in Central Texas, but many more are still waiting to be matched. If you are interested in volunteering or supporting BBBS, visit their website at www.bigmentoring.org
