COLUMBUS — In celebration of the upcoming Junior Auxiliary of Columbus 75th Annual Charity Ball, a very special Charity Ball Preview Tea took place on March 2 at the historic Colonnade Home downtown. The event was held in honor of all the Junior Auxiliary of Columbus past Pilgrimage/Charity Ball chairmen and featured an exclusive preview of the upcoming event in April, as well as a special presentation reflecting on the rich history and enduring legacy of this beloved community tradition.

During the gathering, the past chairmen were presented with a perpetual memorial plaque, which will be displayed at the JA Columbus headquarters, affectionately known as “the Hut,” listing their names and the years they served. Each chairman was also gifted a rose and a special crown brooch as a token of appreciation for their dedication and service to the chapter and community.

Dr. Bethany Hairston, a former JA Columbus president and Charity Ball queen, gave a special talk about the history of the event and its lasting significance in Columbus history. Meredith Fraser, a former JA Columbus president and Pilgrimage Ball chair, also delivered a heartfelt speech on the importance of the annual event and its role in helping the chapter fulfill its mission of serving the children of the community.

A special moment during the gathering was the recognition of Sally Earwood, the 2020 Charity Ball chair, as the 2025 Honorary Ball chair. Earwood dedicated months to planning the 2020 Charity Ball, which ultimately had to be canceled just days before the event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This honor serves as a heartfelt acknowledgment of her dedication, resilience and lasting contributions to the Junior Auxiliary of Columbus.

The Preview Tea event was thoughtfully organized by a dedicated committee of current JA Columbus active members who have played key roles in the Charity Ball’s success in recent years. The 2025 Charity Ball Chairman Margaret Rollins, and Creative Director Jaimie Beckham, led the event, alongside committee members Renee Phillips, Maggie McIntyre and Seleana Miller – each of whom will serve as Charity Ball chairmen in the coming years. Additional committee members included Heather Brignac, Shannon Bowen, Casey Wells, Whitney Ferguson and Amy Sumrall, each of whom have made contributions to the ball in recent years through floral design, public relations, inventory management and culinary planning.

As JA Columbus prepares for this milestone Charity Ball, the Preview Tea was a beautiful tribute to the past, present and future of this cherished tradition.

Charity Ball through the years

The Junior Auxiliary of Columbus Charity Ball dates back to the 1950s, when Glover Wilkins of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce approached then-Chapter President Florence Hazard with a unique request: entertaining out-of-town guests during the annual Columbus Pilgrimage. Inspired by her childhood experiences attending grand Mardi Gras Balls in New Orleans, Hazard proposed creating a Pilgrimage Pageant Ball.

Under the leadership of the first ball Co-Chairs Catherine Taylor and Helen Pilkinton, the inaugural “Pilgrimage Pageant Ball” was held in the spring of 1951 at the Columbus City Auditorium, now known as the James L. Trotter Convention Center. Irvin Weitzenhoffer and Betty Ruth Hardin reigned as the first King and Queen. It was a simple but elegant affair, featuring a tableau with borrowed plants from Miller’s Nursery. At the time, the King was selected from the chamber’s “Man of the Year” honorees, and the Court was made up of high school senior girls escorted by presidents of local civic organizations.

Over the years, the event evolved into an increasingly elaborate production and became a premier social event in Columbus every spring. The Junior Auxiliary assumed full responsibility for selecting the Royal Court, and the ball became a spectacle, featuring extravagant themes, stunning sets, and live performances.

For decades, attendees enjoyed a pageant play, and highlights from prior years include Oop Swoop’s entrance into the city auditorium on a horse with his fox hounds, and Colleen Berry McCollum’s “Maud Marble” performance in the “Golden Slippers” of 1967 when she sang and entertained the crowd from a swing that hung from the ballroom rafters.

Another highlight of the ball is “The Columbus Waltz,” a musical score written by 1956 King Dr. Jo Newell Robinson, during which the King and Queen waltz with former royalty.

Pageant plays became a hallmark of the event. These productions often included casts of more than 50 people, bringing together children and community members in a grand theatrical celebration. Fundraising for the ball traditionally came from listing sponsors and donors in the playbill. However, in 1998, under the leadership of Charity Ball Chair Patti Griffin, the chapter introduced a new fundraising publication: Report to the Community. This special report, which debuted in The Dispatch, drastically increased public awareness of JA Columbus and its projects. Today, Report to the Community continues to play a vital role in the Chapter’s fundraising efforts, with a refreshed magazine-style format introduced in 2023.

Eulalie Hazard Davis, daughter of Florence Hazard and a former Junior Auxiliary of Columbus President and Charity Ball Queen, recently sat down with JA of Columbus members to reflect on the history, impact, and lasting relevance of Junior Auxiliary in Lowndes County. Davis shared her insights on how the event has strengthened the chapter’s ability to serve and make a difference.

“The Charity Ball has been a fun constant and tradition in my life,” said Davis. “However, it was only when I became an active member of the chapter that I realized its true significance as the important source of money to fund the many and significant service projects of the chapter. These projects focus on the children of Lowndes County and address a wide variety of needs. The members of Junior Auxiliary are quick to help others and do it with efficiency, grace, and compassion. The Charity Ball and Report to The Community fund the projects and also underscore how vital this organization is to our community. I am always proud to be associated with it.”

In 2010, the last pageant play was performed, marking the end of an era in event history. The following year, the focus shifted to showcasing established community groups, with the Columbus Girl Choir performing at the 61st Annual Charity Ball.

Thanks to the success of the annual Charity Ball and Report to the Community, JA Columbus is able to dedicate more time to hands-on service work and less time to fundraising. Today, donations, sales and sponsorships from these two initiatives serve as the chapter’s sole sources of revenue, ensuring the sustainability of its mission to serve the children of Columbus and Lowndes County.

The Junior Auxiliary of Columbus Annual Charity Ball is the culmination of a year’s worth of planning, the result of the dedication and creativity of Active and Provisional Members, and a vital connection between the chapter and its community. For 75 years, it has cemented its place as a beloved and historic event in Columbus, celebrating the chapter’s legacy of service. The 75th Annual Charity Ball will be held on April 5 at the Trotter Convention Center. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit jacolumbus.org.