SWA Community
Charity Ball
Loving people is at the Heart of Southwest Airlines , and one of the many ways we connect with people is by building meaningful relationships in the communities we serve . By fostering these authentic partnerships , Southwest Airlines proves its commitment to making a difference . This month we ’ re proud to showcase the longest running charitable event in San Diego , The Charity Ball that benefits
Rady Children ’ s Hospital which is providing impactful work of improving children ’ s health . Celebrating its 114th Anniversary in 2023 , the Charity Ball has always helped kids and those without a voice of their own .
Kelly Knox Sr . Community Outreach Manager
Southwest Airlines
San Diego ’ s Charity Ball is the grande dame of fundraising parties – a formal , blacktie dinner and dance dating back to 1909 that is an integral part of the social and philanthropic fabric of San Diego . Since 1953 , the Charity Ball has exclusively benefited Rady Children ’ s Hospital- San Diego . Local families have played significant roles in carrying on the Charity Ball tradition . Familiar San Diego names show up on committee rosters and chairs of the event . Many families make a point of kicking off the year with invitations to join them in their “ box ” next to the dance floor .
Since its first year in 1909 , the Charity Ball has always helped kids . The Charity Ball
Danitza Villanueva , Chairman 2023
founder , Lena Sefton Clark , led the way , and the first Ball raised $ 1,570 ( over $ 50,000 in 2022 dollars ). Over the years , the Charity Ball has been directly responsible
for increasing excellence in patient care through the purchase of equipment , funding of programs and services . The incredible success of the Charity Ball has been made possible by thousands of volunteers who dedicate their time and talents and the funds it provides to the hospital through the beautiful Souvenir Program containing hundreds of pages of family and business photos celebrating the outstanding and crucial work done by the dedicated physicians and staff at Rady Children ’ s Hospital San Diego . The end of World War II , particularly important to San Diego as a Navy town , saw a “ Victory Ball ” celebrated in 1946 , and United States involvement in the 1991 Gulf War led to hundreds of American flags being incorporated into the Charity Ball décor that year .
Continuing the tradition , the 114th Anniversary Charity
50 GBSAN . COM | DECEMBER 2022