Mayor: $18,000 raised at charity ball

Benna Sayyed

The annual mayor’s ball, which raises money for local charities, continues to grow.

Clovis Mayor Gayla Brumfield said the ball, which features dinner, dancing and auctions, raised $18,000 this year, compared to $10,000 in 2010. The fourth annual event was held Saturday at the Civic Center.

“A lot of people were giving thanks this year,” said Claire Burroughes, City of Clovis Legislative and Community Development director.

According to Brumfield, the larger crowd can be attributed to extra ticket sales, more sponsorship and a larger amount of higher priced items in the silent and live auctions. She said she started the ball four years ago to highlight various Clovis agencies involved in charity work.

Each year the mayor selects charities to receive the proceeds of the ball. This year’s recipients were the Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico and the Clovis Police Department’s Shop With a Cop program.

“People really liked both of these agencies. They liked the idea of policemen taking the kids out shopping, and of course everybody is familiar with what a great job the food bank has done, and the community supports those two,” Brumfield said.

She said by seeing these two charities showcased in the ball, community members were reminded to give back.

“Our community has been so blessed this year. We’ve had many things going on, we’ve seen great positive changes. This is just one way we can showcase our giving back,” Brumfield said.

The mayor said each year city officials determine what the community’s needs are. Shop With a Cop was suggested because it has a short time frame to raise $20,000.

“The food bank was selected because this time of year in particular we try to make sure people get a enough to eat around the holiday season,” Brumfield said.

At the ball the mayor delivered an address, emphasizing a “time for giving” in light of the Thanksgiving holiday season.

Will Banister and the Mulberry Band performed at the event.