The eighth annual Share Your Heart Ball has special meaning for its attendees and all those involved. The ball raises money for Camp Rainbow Gold, which started over 25 years ago as a weeklong camp for children diagnosed with cancer. The oncology camp is held at Cathedral Pines north of Ketchum the first week of every August.
"The economy may have slowed down but cancer has not," said Kris Cronin, co-chair and founder of Share Your Heart Ball. "Rob and I want the camp taken care of beyond our lives. We want to make sure it's protected and all services are free for family and kids."
Cronin's husband, Rob, is also a co-chair and founder of the Share Your Heart Ball and the couple never cease to make each year's benefit more amazing.
Country music star Ashley Monroe will return to Sun Valley to play a song and sing with Camp Rainbow Gold camper McKenna. The song, titled "My Week at Camp," was written by Mckenna's cabin mates at Camp Rainbow Gold last summer. Monroe first performed the song at camp. Monroe is making a special visit to the Share Your Heart Ball because she was so deeply touched by her experience Cronin said.
"It's hard for people not get involved," she said.
This year attendees will receive 50 percent off a manicure with spa pedicure at Chic Nail Boutique in Hailey, and Sun Valley Auto Club will give $50 off any service. Live auction items include a four-night golf vacation at Entrada Resort in Utah, a Big Lost River fly-fishing trip, a fly-fishing trip to the Yellowstone and Madison rivers, two VIP tickets to the "Ellen DeGeneres Show" and two tickets to "American Idol Results Show," a two-night stay at the Clevelander Hotel on Miami's South Beach, a wine country culinary trip in Napa and San Francisco, a Newport Beach trip, VIP tickets to see John Mayer in concert in Las Vegas, tickets to see U2 in Seattle and art from Camp Rainbow Gold Sibling Camp.
In addition, a donation from Steve Boone includes bidding on a 1984 Jeep Wagoner Woody in excellent condition. And the spectacular table is still available for deluxe VIP treatment with private servers, lots of luxury goodie items and much more.
"So many people continue to support Share Your Heart no matter how hard times are," said Cronin. "The event has a great response from the community."
The gala event will take place at the Sun Valley Inn Limelight Room on Saturday, Feb. 20. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the evening will include live music by Grooveline. Tickets are $175. For details, visit shareyourheartball.org.
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
Kris Cronin, co-chair and founder of the Share Your Heart Ball, is treated to a glass of wine. Photo by Willy Cook
