“Charleston Under the Stars” was the theme for the inaugural Charleston Oxygen Ball, which was held at the Francis Marion Hotel on Friday, May 9. Guests were greeted by the smiling faces of volunteers and a signature cocktail to get everyone in a celebratory mood. While enjoying drinks and appetizers in the silent auction reception room, guests had an opportunity to bid on wide variety of packages, which included dinner for two to a variety of Charleston-area restaurants and beautiful works of art from local artists.
Then we were escorted into the main ballroom for a gourmet station dinner, dancing, and a live auction. Emcee Angela May, of ABC News 4, got the crowd inspired with her heartfelt words about the mission to prevent lung disease and how programs through the American Lung Association are so essential. Other speakers included Michael Lisle, a parent of an asthmatic child that has attended Camp Puff ‘n Stuff, a program that allows children with asthma to receive a traditional summer camp experience under the watchful eye of volunteer medical professionals. The live auction gave bidders the opportunity to bid on a week stay at a beautiful house on Wild Dunes which went for whopping $1800, among other items, as well as a mission-based auction called Send a Child to Camp. This whipped guests into a frenzy, when they found out how their money was going to be distributed. It costs $500 to send one child to the week-long Camp Puff ‘n Stuff. With the money raised from tonight to defer the fees, families will only have to pay $45 for each child.
The big hit of the evening was the oxygen bar, which was beautifully illuminated and was packed the entire night. Individual scents added to the experience.
“More than $40,000 was raised for the American Lung Association of South Carolina whose mission is to prevent lung disease and to promote lung health.
