Caring Sharing Ball attendance and donation down

The approximately 200 people attending the annual Caring & Sharing Ball benefit Dec. 8 raised $12,600 for the charitable organization.

Viewed alone, the dollar amount looks impressive except when compared with previous years.

Last year's 250 attendees raised $14,400 for Caring & Sharing of South Walton.

"The numbers are going down," admitted the event's host, Harriet Crommelin.

Crommelin, who owns Caf Thirty-A, said the real estate market is partly responsible.

"Now Realtors don't have the money they used to," she said.

Caring & Sharing staff handed out food and toy baskets for needy families Dec. 17 through Dec. 22. By mid-morning Tuesday, the organization had distributed 90 baskets of toys and 45 food baskets and was still going strong, said manager Pennie Lucas. She estimated that by week's end well over 100 would be handed out.

"Judging by the amount of help provided already this year, I believe the final tally will be up," she said.

Lucas said that while all donations are needed and appreciated, the annual Caring & Sharing Ball provides the largest donation to the organization and is much needed.

Crommelin is taking a proactive stance for next year's ball, however, and has already talked to a local marketing firm about adding a silent auction next year to get the numbers up. The invitation list will also be updated, she said.

"We put too much effort into this party to only raise such a paltry amount," said Crommelin.