Many times I was asked how the Ball of HOPE came into existence and here it is: the story of the Ball of HOPE.
Being appointed chaplain to the German-speaking Catholic Community way back in 1997 I felt not a lot of willingness to raise money for the community via a bazaar, selling all the stuff nobody wants and thereafter give away for the next event of this kind. So I resolved to have a dinner – dance – booked the Mount Nelson, invited Archbishop Desmond Tutu – who to my surprise agreed to come and talk – and simply started with 70 people attending the first such event. In 2000 a young woman called at that time Anja Spandern moved to Cape Town to open the office of the SA-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Being her first customer – in need of some donations – a common plan was hatched to turn the dinner – dance of the Mount Nelson into a real ball. As in 2001 also HOPE Cape Town came in to existence, the Ball of HOPE was born.
The venue moved in 2003 to the Westin Hotel after having had the honor to bless the hotel during the opening ceremony together with the late Archbishop Lawrence Henry and other religious leaders of different faith.
Ever since that day the Ball of HOPE, HOPE Cape Town and the Southern African – German Chamber of Commerce are interlinked with the Westin Hotel, and I hope that this event of fundraising, but also entertainment, good food and a fabulous vibe will remain on the social calendar for many more years to come.
HOPE Cape Town is grateful for all the support rendered via the Ball of HOPE in the last years – and to talk numbers. I started in 1998 with a proceed of 20.000 Rand in total – in the last years the proceeds going to HOPE Cape Town were in the range of 150 000 – 200 000 Rand. Every cent of this money went straight and without deduction into the work of the organization, every cent was transformed into hope for a child, a family suffering from the consequences of HIV, AIDS or related illnesses.
This years Ball of HOPE is once again sold out – and if you want to know more about HOPE Cape Town or want to contribute towards the good cause, visit our website: http://www.hopecapetown.com
1998 Dinner Dance with Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Blessing of the Westin Hotel 2003
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Filed under: Africa, Catholic Church, HIV and AIDS, HOPE Cape Town Association, HOPE Cape Town Association & Trust, SA-German Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Africa, Aids, Anja Tambusso-Ferraz, ball of hope, bishop, blessing, capetown, Catholic, chamber of commerce, fundrasing, hiv, HOPE Cape Town Trust, proceeds, social calender, western cape, Westin Hotel
God, AIDS, Africa & HOPE 