The American Cancer Society's Camp Rainbow Gold and Make-A-Wish Foundation of Idaho co-host and are the beneficiaries of the annual Share Your Heart Ball. This year, the Mardi Gras-theme dinner, dance and auction begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 4, in the Limelight Room of the Sun Valley Inn. Included in the price of a ticket are appetizers and dinner, and beverages including beer and wine.
As in past years, there are remarkable silent- and live-auction items. And the band Grooveline is back for high-energy entertainment.
New this year is the enhanced silent auction hall, where the many items that were donated will be displayed. Among the live-auction items of particular note is a guided trek in Nepal with Ang Norbu Sherpa, the father of the late Nima Sherpa, a Camp Rainbow Gold attendee who died in 2005. Nima's family will lead the 16-day tour highlighting Khatmandu, Tyanboche, Pangboche, Lhotse and Namche Bazaar. The trip includes airfare and lodging and is open to a larger group.
Larry Flynn will be the emcee-extraordinaire once again. Each year this affair seems to connect on many levels with the guests by providing genuine moments of heart, hilarity and spontaneity that no doubt will be equaled once again.
"One of the loveliest aspects is that everyone is there for the right reason, the kids," said event organizer Kris Cronin.
Camp Rainbow Gold began in 1984 as one of the first children's oncology camps in the U.S. Idaho's American Cancer Society, in conjunction with St. Luke's Mountain States Tumor Institute, runs the summer camp in the Wood River Valley.
Rainbow Gold hosts an average of 75 children, who have been diagnosed with cancer, for a free week of outdoor activities, sports, art, music and camaraderie. It's held at Cathedral Pines Baptist Camp, 12 miles north of Ketchum on the Big Wood River. Make-A-Wish is a national foundation that grants wishes to children with life-threatening diseases. Since 1980, Make-A-Wish has granted more than 90,000 wishes. The majority of Idaho's Wish Children are cancer patients, and attend Camp Rainbow Gold.
"All the money raised stays in Idaho," said Rob Cronin, board member of the camp and of Idaho Make-A-Wish. "Our budget is $100,000 for the camp and the extended programs. Cathedral Pines costs $30,000 to rent—that's three squares a day for 150 people. It adds up. We're also starting a college scholarship for campers and we can host campers who used to be considered too ill, because their personal caregivers can be there with them. The money we make at the ball helps subsidize these things."
For tickets, call 1 (877) 405-WISH.
