Editing Mall Ball

The '''Mall Ball''' is an annual [[Mardi Gras]]-themed fundraiser located at [[Cordova Mall]]. Organized by the [[Krewe of Les Petits Enfants]], the event raises money to fund uncompensated care at the [[Sacred Heart Children's Hospital]], which accepts patients regardless of financial constraints or lack of insurance.

On the evening of the event, the mall closes early and guests don black-tie attire and enjoy live music and hors d'oeuvres from dozens of restaurants. It was the first formal Mardi Gras ball to be open to the public.

The Mall Ball was conceived in 1994{{date uncertain}} by [[Sue Martin]], a founding member of [[Pensacola Mardi Gras, Inc.]] who resigned from the organization to pursue the idea. She presented her proposal to the [[Sacred Heart Foundation]] and worked with [[Cordova Mall]] marketing director [[Candy Carlisle]] to plan the inaugural event, which was confined to the mall's food court and drew a crowd of around 900.<ref>"11 years of success: Looking back on Mall Ball's growth." ''Pensacola News Journal'', January 27, 2006.</ref> The Mall Ball now attracts up to 2,500 attendees annually and has raised in total nearly $1 million for the Children's Hospital.

The 2009 event will take place on February 7, from 8:00PM until midnight. Tickets are $50 each and may be ordered by phone at (850) 416-4660.

==External links & references==
*[http://www.sacred-heart.org/mallball/ Mall Ball] &ndash; Official site
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[[Category:Fundraisers]] [[Category:Mardi Gras events]] [[Category:Sacred Heart Health System]]
[[Category:Calendar]] [[Category:2009/02/07]]