On Monday July 17, 2023, the River City Ball committee donated $20,000 each to the Pregnancy Help Center and the Smith County Help Center followed by a small reception at The Rose Building made possible by the funds raised for the 2023 River City Ball.
The River City Ball presented by Birthright Title, LLC was held on May 13, 2023 at Catesa Farms. This is the second year the event has been held at Catesa Farms, and the event continues to grow. Four hundred people attending the event gathered in 80s Prom attire to raise funds for the two beneficiaries.
River City Ball was created to benefit local non-profits working to improve the quality of life in Smith County. Each year the River City Ball benefits a local organization chosen through an application process and provides a $1,000 scholarship to two graduating seniors in Smith County. This year the committee took a leap to choose two beneficiaries thinking the organizations would benefit from something rather than nothing; however, the event was able to surpass everyone’s expectations and raise over $40,000!
This year’s beneficiaries were The Pregnancy Help Center of Smith County and the Smith County Help Center. The Pregnancy Help Center is a Christ-centered ministry offering life affirming, compassionate care to women, men, and children. This organization aims to help women who are pregnant as well as their families and support team during pregnancy and until the child is age two. The Smith County Help Center aims to provide “A Hand Up, not a Hand Out.” While the brick and mortar is a thriving thrift store in downtown Carthage, the mission of the Help Center is to provide assistance to those in need with food, utilities, and emergency needs.
Carthage Family Chiropractic generously supported the scholarship allowing us to present $2,000. Applicants for the scholarship complete an essay discussing the importance of the River City Ball and the organization being sponsored. The applications are submitted to the committee without names and scored based on length and content. Scholarships were presented to Kailey Hawthorne at Gordonsville High School and Amanda Barrett at Smith County High School.
River City Ball greatly appreciates all the sponsors that went into making this event possible. Please make sure to follow the event on Facebook and Instagram for the most up to date information. If you are interested in applying to be a sponsor or the cause for 2024, please reach out to the committee through social media or at rivercityball@outlook.com
Planning for the 2024 River City Ball will begin in August.
Article submitted by Virginia Alexander. Photos of the check presentations by Deerly Blessed Photography. Event photos by Nathan Crowder and Stephanie Elise Winfree. 
