Oct 28, 2014 3 min read

On Nov. 8, more than 230 people will trek to Nemacolin Woodlands in Farmington, Fayette County, to attend Greene County Memorial Hospital Foundation’s 25th annual Harvest Ball.

Men will wear either a tuxedo, or a suit that hopefully still fits (at least it did last year), and bejeweled women will be dressed to the nines in gowns or their finest evening wear.

I remember my first Harvest Ball at Nemacolin Woodlands. My wife and I were lucky to have accommodations in the Chateau LaFayette. Once we stopped gawking at the opulence of the lobby and when the initial awe wore off, we made our way to our room, a room so large it took at least three photos to capture all it had to offer.

But that was many years ago, and before we know it, we will be driving up the Summit again, evening wear carefully arranged in the car so as not to look frumpy when we all come together for the anticipated social hour, followed by dinner, various auctions and dancing.

It is easy to get caught up in the formal flair of the evening, but it’s important to remember why the ball is held.

Until 2005, Greene County Memorial Hospital was a nonprofit medical facility, and proceeds from the Harvest Ball went directly to the hospital. When the hospital was sold, it became a for-profit hospital and changed its name to Southwest Regional Medical Center. That meant Greene County Memorial Hospital Foundation had to use money from the ball for nonprofits.

“The hospital could no longer accept contributions from the foundation,” said David Jones, the foundation’s executive director.

Now, the Harvest Ball, which realizes $30,000 from tickets and corporate sponsorships a year, focuses on the health and well-being of Greene County residents by providing money to nonprofits, Jones explained.

Specifically, the foundation provides funding to Central Greene School District, Children’s Bible Ministries, Catholic Charities and Greene County Career and Technology Center.

Along with other organizations, the foundation provided scholarships and tuition assistance awards to more than a dozen individuals last year through the help of the auxiliary of Southwest Regional Medical Center.

Scholarships were awarded to a graduating senior from each of Greene County’s five school districts, as well as tuition assistance awards to medical and nursing students pursuing secondary degrees.

For me and my wife, the novelty of the resort faded, but the importance of what the foundation does remains clear, and that’s why we feel privileged to attend.

For some, I am sure, this will be their first Harvest Ball. Enjoy the initial images, the magnificent artwork and fine food. But if your senses become too overloaded, imagine you are at the Overlook Hotel and Jack Torrance is staring you down. Reality will soon “shine” through.

Jon Stevens, Greene County Bureau Chief, can be reached at jstevens@observer-reporter.com.