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HSHS St. Anthony’s Foundation invites the community to the annual “Butterfly Ball” on Saturday, March 9, co-sponsored by Central Illinois Radiological Associates, Ltd. This year’s theme is “The Great Gatsby” so “Roaring Twenties” attire is welcomed and encouraged, but entirely optional. This “dress to impress” fundraising event will be held at the Keller Convention Center, starting with cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by 6:30 p.m. dinner, program and live auction, with entertainment by the Bluewater Kings Band to follow.

The cost for general admission is $65 for individual tickets or $120 per couple. VIP tickets, which include wine and beer for the evening, may be purchased for $125 per person. Reservations for tables of eight or 10 are also available. All proceeds from the Butterfly Ball benefit HSHS Hospice Southern Illinois.

Shawna O’Dell, executive director of HSHS Home Care and Hospice Southern Illinois, explained why the butterfly is the perfect symbol for the programs that the event is supporting. “The butterfly represents the transformation of the spirit, the course of our life cycle, and our souls becoming free to take flight.” she said. “HSHS Hospice Southern Illinois is a unique ministry that not only offers supportive, compassionate care that can bring peace, comfort and dignity to a patient in their last days of life, but to their families as well.”

This year’s program will highlight the growth of this exceptional ministry. Attendees will be offered the opportunity to “purchase” a butterfly in honor of loved ones. Those who “purchase” a butterfly will be invited to participate in a Butterfly Release event at a later date to be held in the Healing Garden at St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, where they will be given their butterfly to release as they are set free to take flight. The public will also be given an opportunity to “purchase” a butterfly and participate in the Butterfly Release following the Butterfly Ball. Similar Butterfly Release events will be held at other locations within the HSHS Southern Illinois Division.

To purchase a ticket or make reservations for HSHS St. Anthony’s Foundation’s Butterfly Ball, or to “purchase” a butterfly in honor of a loved one, contact Hospice and Auxiliary Volunteer Facilitator Valerie Engelbart at 217-246-4167 or by email at Valerie.Engelbart@hshs.org. You can also find out more about the event, download a reservation form, or make your reservation and pay online through HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital’s web site at stanthonyshospital.org/giving then selecting “Events

HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital is part of the Southern Illinois Division of Hospital Sisters Health System, which also includes HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon, HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese, HSHS Holy Family in Greenville, and HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland.