Fifth Annual Green Ball to Benefit EarthWays Center of the Missouri Botanical Garden
The fifth annual Green Ball will roll out the green carpet in the Delmar Loop to welcome the green-minded movers and shakers of St. Louis for a night of fun philanthropy. Presented by Moonrise Hotel, Green Ball 2014 will be held from 7-11 pm, Friday, Nov. 14, in celebration of all things green. Proceeds from the gala will benefit the EarthWays Center, a division of the Missouri Botanical Garden that promotes sustainability through environmental education and improving the built environment.
Ticket prices are $40 for Garden members and $50 for nonmembers. Tickets include locally-sourced and organic appetizers and seasonal cocktails, prepared by the Eclipse Restaurant’s award winning staff, plus complimentary bar service. Swinging hot jazz by Miss Jubilee and visually stunning Vivant entertainers roaming amongst the crowd create a “mod autumnal” theme.
To highlight the importance of making events “green,” the ball will be zero waste. Brochures will be printed on recycled paper, food waste will be composted and décor will be eco-friendly. Paper and glass waste will be recycled, and St. Louis’ nationally known “best tasting” tap water will be offered to guests, rather than bottled water. Free valet parking will be provided to carpools of four or more riders.
“We’re so pleased to partner with the Moonrise for this fifth annual Green Ball,” said Glenda Abney, director of the EarthWays Center. “It’s a fun and unique way to raise sustainability awareness in St. Louis. It’s also a great way to showcase the various Moonrise green building features. Green Ball guests will enjoy an unforgettable evening, while helping the EarthWays Center demonstrate how their choices affect the environment.”
Come dressed in your eco-fashion finest and snap a picture in the fun interactive photo booth. “Creative green” attire is strongly encouraged. An expert panel of fashion and style judges will award “Best Dressed” prizes including an overnight stay at the Moonrise Hotel and more to three impressive winners. Whether it’s recycled, handmade, eco-friendly, vintage or just plain green, designs of all kinds will be in the spotlight.
The idea for the Green Ball developed five years ago, when the Moonrise Hotel decided to stage an event to celebrate those “living green” in the St. Louis area and draw attention to local green businesses and organizations. The EarthWays Center seemed a natural beneficiary. The Moonrise Hotel itself employs extensive green efforts such as hotel-wide recycling and composting, the first hotel-bar open-air roof in America made entirely of solar panels, and an electric vehicle car charging station.
During the event, guests may purchase raffle tickets for premium baskets of their choice, including eco-friendly home goods, gift certificates to local businesses and restaurants, and energy efficiency items like a home energy audit. All proceeds from the raffle will benefit the EarthWays Center.
The Green Ball is hosted by EarthWays Center of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Presenting sponsorship is provided by Moonrise Hotel. If you are interested in sponsoring the Green Ball or making a raffle donation please contact Joyce Gorrell at joyce.gorrel@ MOBOT.org or 314-577-0220.
While the Missouri Botanical Garden’s mission is to protect and preserve plants, the EarthWays Center specifically focuses on helping people learn to live more sustainably. EarthWays offers more than 20 programs and projects on sustainable living and learning for students, educators, business and community leaders, municipalities and green building professionals and contractors in Missouri throughout the year.
More than 45,000 households in the St. Louis region hold memberships to the Missouri Botanical Garden. Memberships begin at $65 ($60 for seniors) and offer 12 months of free general admission for two adults and all children ages 12 and under, plus exclusive invitations and discounts. Members help support the Garden’s operations and world-changing work in plant science and conservation. Learn more at www.mobot.org/membership.
To purchase your Green Ball 2014 tickets, please visit the event Webpage or call 314-577-5118.
Additional event information may also be found on Facebook.