Charity Ball is a long-standing, annual tradition at Western University that offers students of all faculties and affiliate colleges an opportunity to gather for a night of fun in support of an excellent cause.
The charity committee organizes several other events during the year to inspire students to get involved in different ways like Dine in the Dark, Halloween Hunt, and Relay For Life – which takes place in March.
This year’s Charity Ball is called “Sensoria.” “The theme this year is inspired by the five senses, so we want to be able to provide an artistic night outside of our daily reality,” says Stephanie Mattiussi of Western’s USC Charity Committee. “We base everything on touch, sight, smell, taste and hearing. Our Facebook page has been promoting different photos and “gifs” in order to prepare for this weekend’s ball.
This year’s event will take place on Saturday, Jan. 28 at the London Convention Centre. Tickets are $35 or $300 for a group of 10.
Charity Ball is Western’s largest formal event and acts to provide monetary aid and widespread awareness for a specific organization in the London Community. This year the USC Charity Ball will be raising money for “Daya”, a short term mental health counselling agency.
Daya’s counselling agency in London is one that offers 12 sessions at a time, for individuals, couples, and family over the age of 16.
The reason this year’s Charity Ball decided to support Daya as their organization, is because of their mandate to support mental health.
“Daya is a non-profit organization that depends on community funds for free counselling for anyone in the community,” says Mattiussi. “They support the entire London community and price their services to whatever suits the patient or individual. We want to give them a hand in what they do.”
Anyone who can’t make the Charity Ball is encouraged to take part in the USC Charity “Relay for Life” in March, or volunteer with their committee year-round, found on their Facebook page as “USC Charity.”