The Owensboro Rotary Club is a civic organization whose purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders in order to serve the needs of the community through a spirit of humanitarianism. What better way to bring people together in the spirit of helping others than through bourbon, dinner and dance?
In its 11th year, the Owensboro Rotary Annual Bourbon Ball serves as an entertaining fundraiser that enables both the Owensboro and Daviess County Rotary Clubs to assist local charities in and around the community.
“The Rotary Bourbon Ball started 11 years ago,” said Barbara Poynter, Rotarian and Bourbon Ball committee chair. “We realized we needed to have an annual fundraiser, and of course there’s no better bourbon than Kentucky bourbon. With bourbon tasting, dinner and dance and an incredible silent auction, it is a really good time.”
After taking place at several Owensboro venues in the past, this year’s Bourbon Ball will be held for the second time at O.Z. Tyler Distillery Saturday, Feb. 9 from 6 p.m. until midnight. Dress is high cocktail or black-tie optional. Limos by Bob will be providing safe rides home for $10.
With less than 300 tickets available to the public, the Bourbon Ball committee made the decision last week to release 50 more tickets. Tickets are $125 each and can be purchased here. However, those attending the Bourbon Ball will not receive a physical ticket but will be placed on an email confirmation list.
Poynter said the evening really is similar to having three parties in one with 25 different labels of bourbon and related wines to sample, a bourbon-themed dinner and a silent auction which includes everything from scuba experiences, entertainment baskets and getaways to a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle.
“The Owensboro Club is one of the oldest clubs in the country and has a long history of doing great service and great things,” Poynter said. “It’s amazing the number of scholarships and programs Rotary supports in greater Daviess County.”
Some of the many projects that have been funded through the Owensboro and Daviess County Rotary Clubs are the Owensboro Rotary Plazzeum in the Museum of Science & History, much of the outdoor play equipment at city and county parks, the Girls, Inc. computer lab, the Red Cross passenger van and veterans’ trips on Honor Flight.
“We’ve raised over $100, 000 in the last few years and well over half of that stays right here in Daviess County and supports the non-profits here,” Poynter said. “I’m incredibly proud of being a mom, a wife and an American. But I’m also extremely proud to be a Rotarian.”
