The Montgomery County Executive’s Ball came into being when Sid Kramer became Montgomery County Executive in 1986. Sid’s wife, Betty Mae Kramer, instituted the event as a way to raise funds and visibility for organizations working to support the arts and humanities in Montgomery County, Maryland.
The Ball was instrumental in putting these organizations on the map for the first time in the County’s history, and has taken place annually in December ever since.
Today, the Ball is the single-most significant social, political, and philanthropic event of the year in Montgomery County, bringing together politicians, the business community, philanthropists, and the arts and humanities community to support, sustain, and promote the cultural assets in our community.
The 2011 Ball, themed “One for the Books,” raised $100,000 for Montgomery County Public Libraries. MCPL is the County’s award-winning library system. MCPL provides information and reference assistance to over 8 million customers a year, and has earned a 3-star rating in the Library Journal Index of Public Library Service, a public library national rating system.
Members of the 2011 Executive’s Ball Committee (from left): Kim Watson, Carol Trawick, Tina Martin, Mita Schaffer, Parker Hamilton, Catherine Leggett, Carol Leahy, Sonetta Neufville and Chris Renshaw.
And here’s a peek at the festivities over the last few years (click on any thumbnail to pull up a slideshow; all photos by Clark W. Day Photo-Graphics).
For the last several years, Montgomery County’s First Lady, Catherine Leggett, one of Bethesda Magazine’s 2010 Women We Admire, has led the organization of the Ball. Tamara Darvish of DARCARS Automotive Group joins Mrs. Leggett as co-chair of the 2012 Executive’s Ball, “Arts Power: Celebrating Education Through the Arts,” to raise funds to advance arts education in the County.
With this dynamic duo at the helm, this year’s Ball will surely soar to new heights. Be sure to mark December 9 on your calendar! Individual tickets are $125. Online tickets sales have closed, but if you would like to purchase a ticket, please call 301-244-9836.
The Executive’s Ball Fund is housed at The Community Foundation for Montgomery County, an affiliate of The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region. The Community Foundation is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization. For more information, visit www.thecommunityfoundationmc.