7th Annual Bee Ball Breaks Fundraising Record
/Annual Event Raised $17,600 for Immigrant Rights
The best party in Raleigh returned for its seventh year to benefit a nonprofit organization dedicated to making Raleigh a better place. This year, the annual event raised $17,600 to support Immigrant Rights.
Billed as Raleigh’s adult prom, the Bee Ball is the biggest annual fundraiser for The Beehive Collective, a giving circle that raises money for area nonprofits. There was something for everyone at the Bee Ball – music, dancing, photo booths and more!
“We’ve given away more than $150,000 since 2008 and we’re looking to make this our biggest grant year ever, and the Bee Ball is a big part of making that goal a reality,” said Liz Hester, Beehive co-chair. “Each year, our membership chooses a giving theme to grant our funds, and this year, we’ve chosen immigrant rights. Immigrants make up one of the largest growing demographics in Wake County, and the Beehive would like to support Immigrant Rights through a grant of $22,000 to $27,000 this year.”
The Bee Ball is truly a community-supported event. Along with ticket sales, eight of Raleigh’s finest young leaders were chosen as the Bee Ball Royalty Court. These individuals worked overtime to raise even more money on behalf of the Beehive’s grant recipients. Each member of the court pledged to raise at least $1000 through the event.
2015 Royalty Court members included:
- Adam Eckhardt, Co-owner and Co-founder, Crank Arm Brewing
- David Zell, Founder of Oak City Cycling Project
- Lisa Veronica Wood, Sidecar Social Club
- Margaret Griffin, SPARKcon Organizer
- Tappan Vickery, Grants Committee Co-Chair, The Beehive Collective
- Bridget Whelan, Communications Director, NC Conservation Network
- Jenny Bonchak, Founder, Slingshot Coffee Co.
- Tobias Perrino, Founding Member, Stonewall Kickball
2015 marked the second year at Southland Ballroom, and entertainment included performances by Sidecar Social Club & DJ Jenilla Ice. With this amazing group, The Beehive Collective continued the tradition of being the best party in Raleigh.
The Beehive Collective is dedicated to pollinating community giving in Raleigh while inspiring new women leaders. Members of the Beehive Collective work to support the development of women through local activities. By pooling resources and organizing fun events like the Bee Ball, the Bees raise money to fund community projects.
Can’t wait until next May? Revisit all the fun of the 2015 Bee Ball with our event photos courtesy of Abby Nardo and the every popular photo booth courtesy of Erin Debnam.