(HAZELWOOD, MO)- The Mayors’ Shamrock Charity Ball, the premier green tie event of North St. Louis County, is scheduled for Saturday, March 6, at Garden Villas North, 4505 Parker Road in Black Jack, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. All proceeds from ticket sales, event sponsorships and super raffle drawings directly benefit Valley Industries Sheltered Workshop, which provides dignified and meaningful employment for over 200 adults with developmental disabilities.

The Mayors’ Shamrock Charity Ball is a major fund-raiser for a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, and as well has earned the reputation of being the the place to see people and be seen in the community! Much of the money collected is used to make Valley Industries the best and safest place it can be for its workforce. In addition to being committed to customer satisfaction, Valley Industries is equally committed to all 200 employees. Their goal is to offer a high-quality employment program that builds morale and rewards hard work and productivity.

Efficient and loyal, Valley Industries employees are some of the best workers out there. To encourage this level of worker performance, Valley Industries offers an Employee-of-the-Month Program and Perfect Attendance Program. The organization also uses funds from the Ball to improve safety and the workshop environment, as well as to host several employee events including monthly dance nights, barbecue days, and their popular annual Employee Thanksgiving Dinner and Employee Christmas Party.

Opening on March 13, 1967, Valley Industries began under the name of Florissant Valley Sheltered Workshop with only 15 employees. Today, the Workshop employs more than 200 workers with developmental disabilities in a 60,000 square-foot facility in Hazelwood. On any given day, Valley Industries employees work on 15-20 different jobs. The organization specializes in contract packaging, kitting, shrink wrapping, collating, assembly, inspections, and blister packaging. Valley Industries is both ISO 9001:2015 Certified and FDA-registered, and they are committed to customer satisfaction through audited quality processes. Valley Industries also operates the 4000 square foot Valley Industries Thrift Store at their same location open Monday through Friday.

Over the past 13 years, we have watched the Mayors’ Shamrock Charity Ball evolve into one of St. Louis region’s must-see social affairs! Not only does it boast great food and music with a touch of Irish whimsy, it also provides the residents who live in Black Jack, Florissant, Hazelwood, Ferguson, Bellefontaine Neighbors and Dellwood great opportunity to meet their elected officials during the event. Individual tickets for $135 each (purchased at www.valleyind.net) usually sell out fast. Guests come dressed up to dance the night away, enjoy delicious food, and win fabulous Super Raffle prizes—all for a great cause.

MASTER OF CEREMONIES

It is with great excitement that we announce John Londoff Jr. will be returning as the program’s Master of Ceremonies for the evening. Coming from a long history of community involvement, John Londoff Jr. is carrying on with the family tradition of service. His personal commitment to our North County makes him the perfect Emcee for the Mayors’ Shamrock Charity Ball. He also serves on the Advisory Board of Valley Industries and has a wonderful sister Jackie who used to be an employee of Valley Industries.

EVENT SPONSORSHIPS AND TICKETS

The Mayors’ Shamrock Charity Ball offers generous sponsorship packages to local businesses, organizations and individuals.Different sponsorships are available at the following donation levels: Event Sponsor – $5,500; Emerald Sponsor – $2,750; Deluxe Dual Pot of Gold and Golf Sponsor– $2,400; Pot of Gold Sponsor – $1,100; Leprechaun Sponsor – $650; and Shamrock Sponsor – $325. Individual tickets to the event may be purchased for $135.00 . Those interested in one of these sponsorships or tickets can pay by check or by credit card (MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover).If using a check, please make it payable to Valley Industries’ Mayors’ Shamrock Charity Ball.the check to this address:Industries Sheltered Workshop; 143 James S McDonnell Boulevard, Hazelwood, MO 63042.Those who purchase sponsorships also receive individual tickets.Contact Jim Guyre, Valley Industries’ Executive Director, at (314) 731-1771 for more information on sponsorship perks. The Delmar Gardens Family and The Florissant Rotary Club are long time Event Sponsors now at the $5,500 level.

ELABORATE DECORATIONS/ FOOD STATIONS

The Delmar Gardens North Campus has once again graciously agreed to host the 14th Annual Shamrock Charity Ball at the beautiful Garden Villas North Retirement & Assisted Living Community, located at 4505 Parker Road, in Black Jack. In addition to festive decorations, mood lighting and ice sculptures, the facilities dining area will be transformed into an elegant ballroom atmosphere. Other features include the following restaurants and catering services running food stations throughout the dining area: Amore Pizza, Catering to You, Helfer’s, Irma Jean’s, Mattingly’s, Papa Murphy’s, Mann Meats, Krause Katering & Kakes, and TKO Grill. These restaurants will be serving signature food dishes, hors d’oeuvres, pastries and desserts. Southern Glazers Spirits and Anheuser-Busch-InBev are both graciously donating the liquor and beer for this event. Once again, Garden Villas North is working with the skilled nursing center at Delmar Gardens North to transform the area into an elegant setting perfect for a night of celebration.

EVERYDAY PEOPLE

Having performed at the 13th Mayors’ Shamrock Charity Ball, Everyday People knows how to keep the evening lively with a song list that varies and covers different musical genres. Everyday People is a seven-member dance band that is skilled at entertaining their audience. Having established themselves as one of North County’s most elite groups, they have played country clubs, hotels, banquet facilities, private events, and park venues.

CROWNING OF THE KING AND QUEEN

Every year, Valley Industries selects a Gentleman Worker of the Year and a Woman Worker of the Year from a pool of “Employee of the Month” candidates in 2019. This past year’s honorees were Mr. Cedric Ivy and Miss Katrila Dugger. They were crowned King and Queen of the 13th Annual Mayors’ Shamrock Charity Ball. Their first act as royalty was to cut the official Mayors’ Shamrock Charity Ball cake, which was baked, decorated and donated by Helfer’s Pastries & Deli.

Mr. Cedric Ivy has worked at Valley Industries for 14 years. He is kind, sweet, and compassionate.comes from a big family with nine siblings and loves spending time with them.He likes doing jigsaw puzzles and listening to old school R&B music. The Temptations are his favorite.He is a proud man who takes pride in his work. Because of this, he is almost never absent.greatest strength at Valley Industries is a talent for precision labeling.His work is precise and accurate. He is a valued and dedicated employee.

Miss Katrila Dugger has worked at Valley Industries for 10 years.She is an independent young woman who has shown tremendous growth in her life.She is an integral part their Quality Team and is always willing to help all of the supervisors in any way.She takes pride in her appearance and recently graduated from Cosmetology school. Showing dedication and determination, Katrila would attend school after working all day at Valley Industries.Now she is focusing on obtaining her stylist license and taking the Missouri State Board Exam. She is also very proud of her work with the Engagement Committee, which is a group of individuals who advocate for folks with development disabilities.

The King and Queen of the 14th Annual Mayors’ Shamrock Ball will be the Workers of the Year for the year 2020 that are to be determined from the candidate pool of worker of the month candidates of 2020 and will be announced at the Valley Industries Annual Employee Christmas Party.

ELECTED MAYORS OF SIX NORTH COUNTY CITIES CO-HOST VALLEY INDUSTRIES’ FUND-RAISER

For the past 13 years, the elected mayors of five North County communities have shown their support for Valley Industries Sheltered Workshop by co-hosting the Mayors’ Shamrock Charity Ball, which has become a major fund-raiser for Valley Industries Sheltered Workshop, a North County operation that provides employment for adults with developmental disabilities.

This year, so far we are happy to announce that we have six elected mayors who will be joining in as co-hosts:

• Mayor Norman C. McCourt – City of Black Jack
• Mayor Timothy J. Lowery – City of Florissant
• Mayor Matthew G. Robinson – City of Hazelwood
• Mayor James W. Knowles III – City of Ferguson (Retiring 4/2019; election of new Ferguson Mayor tbd)
• Mayor Tommie L. Pierson, Sr. – City of Bellefontaine Neighbors
• Mayor Reggie L. Jones – City of Dellwood

GUESTS DRESS UP AND DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY FOR A GOOD CAUSE

Those who purchase tickets or event sponsorships to the 14th Annual Mayors’ Shamrock Charity Ball will enjoy dancing to the lively sounds of Everyday People all night long. Everyday People are a fun and lively recent addition to the Ball. They play a variety of tunes from different genres that satisfies everyone’s musical tastes and keeps the dance floor busy.

Valley Industries has a wonderful and engaged Board of Directors helping to strategically steer and plan the organizations’ business activities.

Valley Industries’ Board of Directors

Officers

• Don Ceresia, President
• Scott Beckett, Vice President
• Howard Nimmons, Treasurer
• Margaret Gunn, Secretary
• Board Members:
• Kim Bakker
• Hank Bruemmer
• Dr. Nettie Collins –Hart
• David Cox
• Derek Craig
• Richard Dorsey III
• Steve Frank
• Susan Koesterer
• Venus Martz

Executive Director

• Jim Guyre

Advisory Committee

• Tom Gunn
• John Londoff, Jr.
• Kimberly McKenzie
• Dr. Richard Roberts
• Matthew Robinson

If you would like to schedule a tour of Valley Industries or would like more information on engaging the workshop for your contract packaging, assembly, or other subcontract needs, please contact Marketing Director Jerry Hart at (314) 731-1771 or email Jerry at Jerry.Hart@ValleyInd.net

Valley Industries Sheltered Workshop and Thrift Store
143 James S McDonnell Blvd
Hazelwood MO 63042

Workshop Hours Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thrift Store Hours Tues through Friday 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Mondays noon to 3:30 p.m.
The workshop has an ISO 9001:2015 Certified Quality Management System

If you would like more information on Event Sponsor Delmar Gardens Skilled Nursing or the Garden Villas Senior Community and Assisted Living options, please contact Patti Muich to schedule a tour at her contact info here:

Patricia Muich
Delmar Gardens Enterprises, Inc.
Director of Marketing and Advertising
14805 N. Outer 40 Road, Suite 300, Chesterfield, MO 63017
p: 636-733-7000 | f: 636-733-7010

If you would like more information on Event Sponsor Rotary Club of Florissant’s activities and opportunities to provide service above self to the community, please contact Rotary Club of Florissant President Mary Elizabeth Dorsey at (636) 940-8000 or visit the Rotary Club of Florissant website at

https://www.florissantrotary.org/about/

Established in 1960, the Rotary Club of Florissant is an organized and enjoyable way for civic-minded executives and professionals to contribute their skills and talents to the progress of North County, and to the needy areas of the world.

The Mayors’ Shamrock Charity Ball, the premier green tie event of North St. Louis County, is scheduled for Saturday, March 7, at Garden Villas North, 4505 Parker Road in Black Jack, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. All proceeds from ticket sales, event sponsorships and raffle drawings directly benefit Valley Industries Sheltered Workshop, which provides dignified and meaningful employment for over 200 adults with developmental disabilities.

The Mayors’ Shamrock Charity Ball is a major fundraiser for a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, and not a St. Patrick’s Day celebration for politicians. Much of the money collected is used to make Valley Industries the best place it can be for its workforce. In addition to being committed to customer satisfaction, Valley Industries is equally committed to all 200 employees. Their goal is to offer a high-quality employment program that builds morale and rewards hard work and productivity.

Efficient and loyal, Valley Industries employees are some of the best workers out there. To encourage this level of worker performance, Valley Industries offers an Employee-of-the-Month Program and Perfect Attendance Program. The organization also uses funds from the Ball to host several events including monthly dance nights, barbecue days, as well as an annual Thanksgiving Dinner and Christmas Party.

Opening on March 13, 1967, Valley Industries began under the name of Florissant Valley Sheltered Workshop with only 15 employees. Today, the Workshop employs more than 200 workers with developmental disabilities in a 60,000 square-foot facility in Hazelwood. On any given day, Valley Industries employees work on 15-20 different jobs. The organization specializes in contract packaging, kitting, shrink wrapping, collating, assembly, inspections, and blister packaging. Valley Industries is both ISO 9001:2015 Certified and FDA-registered, and they are committed to customer satisfaction through audited quality processes.

Over the past 13 years, we have watched the Mayors’ Shamrock Charity Ball evolve into one of St. Louis region’s must-see social affairs! Not only does it boast great food and music with a touch of Irish whimsy, it also provides the residents who live in Black Jack, Florissant, Hazelwood, Ferguson, Bellefontaine Neighbors and now Dellwood a great opportunity to meet their elected officials during the event. Individual tickets for $125 each usually sell out fast. Guests come dressed up to dance the night away, enjoy delicious food, and win fabulous Super Raffle prizes—all for a great cause.

MASTER OF CEREMONIES

It is with great excitement that we announce John Londoff Jr. as the program’s Master of Ceremonies for the evening. Coming from a long history of community involvement, John Londoff Jr. is carrying on with the family tradition of service. His personal commitment to our North County makes him the perfect Emcee for the Mayors’ Shamrock Charity Ball.

EVENT SPONSORSHIPS AND TICKETS

The Mayors’ Shamrock Charity Ball offers generous sponsorship packages to local businesses, organiza-tions and individuals. Different sponsorships are available at the following donation levels: Event Sponsor – $5,000; Emerald Sponsor – $2,500; Deluxe Dual Pot of Gold and Golf Sponsor– $2,250; Pot of Gold Sponsor – $1,000; Leprechaun Sponsor – $600; and Shamrock Sponsor – $300. Those interest-ed in one of these sponsorships can pay by check or by credit card (MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover). If using a check, please make it payable to Valley Industries’ Mayors’ Shamrock Charity Ball. Mail the check to this address: Valley Industries Sheltered Workshop; 143 B McDonnell Boulevard, Hazelwood, MO 63042.Those who purchase sponsorships also receive individual tickets. Contact Jim Guyre, Valley Industries’ Executive Director, at (314) 731-1771 for more information on sponsorship perks. Our current sponsors are as follows: The Delmar Gardens Family and The Florissant Rotary Club are Event Sponsors at the $5,000 level. Christian Hospital and Karen McKay are Emerald Sponsors at the $2,500 level. Our Pot of Gold Sponsors include Don Henefer Jewelers, Mobile Eye Care Solutions, North County Incorporated, Black Jack Fire Protection District, Hazelwood School District, Southern Glazers, the Knights of Columbus St. Phillippine Duchesne Council #2951, Steve and Monique Zykan, and Anheuser-Busch-Inbev.

ELABORATE DECORATIONS/ FOOD STATIONS

The Delmar Gardens North Campus has once again graciously agreed to host the 13th Annual Shamrock Charity Ball at the beautiful Garden Villas North Retirement & Assisted Living Community, located at 4505 Parker Road, in Black Jack. In addition to festive decorations, mood lighting and ice sculptures, the facilities dining area will be transformed into an elegant ballroom atmosphere. Other features include the following restaurants and catering services running food stations throughout the dining area: Amore Pizza, Catering to You, Helfer’s, Irma Jean’s, Mattingly’s, Papa Murphy’s, Mann Meats, Krause Katering & Kakes, and TKO Grill. These restaurants will be serving signature food dishes, hors d’oeuvres, pastries and desserts. Southern Glazers and Anheuser-Busch-Inbev are both graciously donating the liquor and beer for this event. Once again, Garden Villas North is working with the skilled nursing center at Delmar Gardens North to transform the area into an elegant setting perfect for a night of celebration.

EVERYDAY PEOPLE

New to the Mayors’ Shamrock Charity Ball, Everyday People knows how to keep the evening lively with a song list that varies and covers different musical genres. Everyday People is a seven-member dance band dedicated to their skill and entertaining their audience. Having established themselves as one of North County’s most elite groups, they have played country clubs, hotels, banquet facilities, private events, and park venues.

CROWNING OF THE KING AND QUEEN

Every year, Valley Industries selects a Gentleman Worker of the Year and a Woman Worker of the Year from a pool of “Employee of the Month” candidates in 2019. This year’s honorees are Mr. Cedric Ivy and Miss Katrila Dugger. They will be crowned King and Queen of the 13th Annual Mayors’ Shamrock Charity Ball. Their first act as royalty will be to cut the official Mayors’ Shamrock Charity Ball cake, which will be baked, decorated and donated by Helfer’s Pastries & Deli.

Mr. Cedric Ivy has worked at Valley Industries for 14 years. He is kind, sweet, and compassionate. He comes from a big family with nine siblings and loves spending time with them. He likes doing jigsaw puzzles and listening to old school R&B music. The Temptations are his favorite. He is a proud man who takes pride in his work. Because of this, he is almost never absent. His greatest strength at Valley Industries is a talent for precision labeling. His work is precise and accurate. He is a valued and dedicated employee.

Miss Katrila Dugger has worked at Valley Industries for 10 years. She is an independent young woman who has shown tremendous growth in her life. She is an integral part their Quality Team and is always willing to help all of the supervisors in any way. She takes pride in her appearance and recently graduated from Cosmetology school. Showing dedication and determination, Katrila would attend school after working all day at Valley Industries. Now she is focusing on obtaining her stylist license and taking the Missouri State Board Exam. She is also very proud of her work with the Engagement Committee, which is a group of individuals who advocate for folks with development disabilities.

ELECTED MAYORS OF SIX NORTH COUNTY CITIES CO-HOST VALLEY INDUSTRIES’ FUND-RAISER

For the past 13 years, the elected mayors of five North County communities have shown their support for Valley Industries Sheltered Workshop by co-hosting the Mayors’ Shamrock Charity Ball, which has become a major fund-raiser for Valley Industries Sheltered Workshop, a North County operation that provides employment for adults with developmental disabilities.

This year, we are happy to announce that we have three new mayors, including a sixth elected mayor who will be joining in as a co-host. Mayor Reggie L. Jones of Dellwood will be joining us as a new Host Mayor and Host City this year!

• Mayor Norman C. McCourt – Black Jack
• Mayor Timothy J. Lowery – Florissant
• Mayor Matthew G. Robinson – Hazelwood
• Mayor James W. Knowles III – Ferguson
• Mayor Tommie L. Pierson, Sr. – Bellefontaine Neighbors
• Mayor Reggie L. Jones – Dellwood

GUESTS DRESS UP AND DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY FOR A GOOD CAUSE

Those who purchase tickets or event sponsorships to the 13th Annual Mayors’ Shamrock Charity Ball will enjoy dancing to the lively sounds of Everyday People all night long. Everyday People are a fun and new addition to the Ball. They play a variety of tunes from different genres that satisfies everyone’s musical tastes and keeps the dance floor busy.

The premier green tie event of North St. Louis County known as the Mayors’ Shamrock Charity Ball is scheduled for Saturday, March 9, at Garden Villas North, 4505 Parker Road in Black Jack, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.  All proceeds from ticket sales, event sponsorships and raffle drawings directly benefit Valley Industries Sheltered Workshop which provides dignified and meaningful employment for over 200 adults with developmental disabilities.

A new word “charity” has been added to the event’s name to draw attention to the fact that this is a major fund-raiser for a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, and not a St. Patrick’s Day celebration for politicians  Much of the money collected is used to make Valley Industries the best place it can be for its workforce.  In addition to being committed to customer satisfaction, Valley Industries is equally committed to all 200 employees.  Their goal is to offer a high-quality employment program which builds morale, and rewards hard work and productivity.

Valley Industries employees are some of the most efficient and loyal workers that can be found anywhere.  To maintain this high-level of worker performance, Valley Industries offers an Employee-of-the-Month Program and Perfect Attendance Program.  The organization also uses funds from the Ball to host monthly dance nights, barbecue days, as well as an annual Thanksgiving Dinner and Christmas Party.  “We try to take advantage of as many employee team building opportunities as we can to help build a sense of family or comradery among our workforce,” Valley Industries Executive Director Jim Guyre said. “The Shamrock Charity Ball monies enable us to expand our resources in order to keep our workers motivated, happy and productive.”

Valley Industries first opened its doors for business on March 13, 1967, under the name of Florissant Valley Sheltered Workshop with only 15 employees.  Today, the Workshop employs more than 200 workers with developmental disabilities in a 60,000 square-foot facility in Hazelwood.  On any given day, Valley Industries employees work on 15-20 different jobs.  The organization specializes in contract packaging, kitting, shrink wrapping, collating, assembly, inspections, and blister packaging.  Valley Industries is both ISO 9001:2015 Certified and FDA-registered.  They are committed to customer satisfaction through audited quality processes.

“In Missouri, we refer to places like Valley Industries as extended employment sheltered workshops.  This is where, by statute, only adults with developmental disabilities are employed to work, except for the staff.  The tasks assigned to them match their ability to work. Some require a one-step process while others require a higher degree of difficulty.  The overall goal is to ensure that everyone who comes to work gains a sense of pride and feels like they’re making a difference,” Guyre added.

Over the past 12 years, the Mayors’ Shamrock Charity Ball has evolved into one of St. Louis region’s must-see social affairs!  With its Irish fare of fun, great food and lively dance music, it has become the place to be and be seen with influential business leaders and elected officials.  It also gives residents who live in Black Jack, Ferguson, Florissant, Hazelwood and Bellefontaine Neighbors a great opportunity to meet their elected officials during the event.  Individual tickets for $125 each (purchased online here) usually sell out fast because no one wants to be left out of going to North County’s biggest social soireé.  Guests come dressed up to dance the night away, enjoy delicious food and win fabulous super raffle prizes – all for a great cause.

MASTER OF CEREMONIES

This will be the third consecutive year that KSDK-TV’s Chief Meteorologist Craig Moeller has agreed to be the program’s Master of Ceremonies for the evening.  He believes this is a great charity event to support and sees it as an excellent opportunity for him to meet many of his “5 On Your Side” viewers in person.  Both he and his wife, Anne, look forward to attending this year’s event.

EVENT SPONSORSHIPS AND TICKETS

The Mayors’ Shamrock Ball offers generous sponsorship packages to local businesses, organizations and individuals.  Different sponsorships are available at the following donation levels:  Event Sponsor – $5,000; Emerald Sponsor – $2,500; Pot of Gold Sponsor – $1,000; Leprechaun Sponsor – $600; and Shamrock Sponsor – $300.  Those interested in one of these sponsorships can pay by check or by credit card (MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover).  If using a check, please make it payable to Valley Industries’ Mayors’ Shamrock Charity Ball.  Mail the check to this address:  Valley Industries Sheltered Workshop; 143 B McDonnell Boulevard; Hazelwood, MO 63042.

Those who purchase event sponsorships also receive individual tickets.  Contact Jim Guyre, Valley Industries’ Executive Director, at (314) 731-1771 for more information on sponsorship perks.  So far, the Delmar Gardens Family and The Florissant Rotary Club have made commitments to be Event Sponsors at the $5,000 level.  This year’s Emerald Sponsors at the $2,500 level include Karen McKay, City of Hazelwood, North Point Development and Christian Hospital, BJC Healthcare.

A new sponsorship package being offered is called the Deluxe Dual Pot of Gold & Golf Sponsor for $2,250.  Those who donate money for this package get to sponsor two events with one payment!  In addition to having the company’s logo predominately displayed at both events, they receive six tickets to the Ball with reserved seating and a special gift.  They also get an Eagle Sponsorship for the 7th Annual Charity Golf Outing in September 2019 which includes one tournament foursome, valued at $1,500.

ELABORATE DECORATIONS/FOOD STATIONS

For the ninth consecutive year, the Delmar Garden North Campus will graciously host this fund-raising event at the beautiful Garden Villas North Retirement & Assisted Living Community, located at 4505 Parker Road, in Black Jack.  In addition to festive decorations, ice sculptures and mood lighting, the facility’s dining area will be transformed into an elegant ballroom atmosphere one would normally find on a cruise ship.  Other features include nine restaurants and catering services manning food stations scattered throughout the dining facility.  These restaurants will be serving signature food dishes, hors d’oeuvres, pastries and desserts.  The participating food vendors include Amore’s Pizza; Catering to You; Helfer’s Pasteries & Deli; Irma Jean’s; Mattingly’s; Papa Murphy’s; Paul’s Market; The Savoy Banquet; and TKO Grill.

Garden Villas North will partner with Delmar Gardens North skilled nursing center to transform their penthouse apartment into a martini lounge on the third floor.  Other apartments will feature wine tasting and a candy room.  There will also be a photo booth set up where people can pose for pictures and have them put in special frames to take home as mementos.  These activities just mentioned are being sponsored by The Delmar Gardens family.  Near the front entrance, coffee connoisseurs will be able to sample richly flavored brews at the Ronnoco Coffee Barista Bar.

THE BOB KUBAN BAND

Since the first Mayors’ Shamrock Ball held 12 years ago,  The Bob Kuban Band has stepped up to provide the dynamic, high-energy dance music at each of the annual fund-raisers.  His 8-piece rock ‘n roll band known as Bob Kuban & The In-Men is famous for its classic one-hit Top 40 song, called “The Cheater,” which reached #12 in the U.S. pop charts in 1966.  That same year, the group hit #70 on the Top Charts with “The Teaser: and #93 with a rendition of the Beatles’ “Drive My Car.”  Born and raised in the North County area, Kuban has established a tradition of musical excellence performing literally hundreds of concerts, weddings and special events on a yearly basis with his Bob Kuban Brass.  He knows how to keep the place jumping with a variety of musical genres to satisfy everyone’s tastes, keeping the dance floor busy all night.

CROWNING OF THE KING AND QUEEN

Each year, Valley Industries selects a Gentleman Worker of the Year and a Woman Worker of the Year from a pool of “Employee of the Month” candidates in 2018.  This year’s honorees are John Shaughnessy and Mary Wojciechowski.   They will be crowned as the King and Queen of the 12th Annual Mayors’ Shamrock Charity Ball.  Their first act as royalty will be to cut the official Mayors’ Shamrock Charity Ball cake, which will be baked, decorated and donated by Helfer’s Pastries & Deli.

Shaughnessy came to Valley Industries after the closing of Universal Workshop in 2005, which was a definitely VI’s gain!  Over the past 13 years, he has proven to be a valuable asset on kitting jobs, various battery jobs and breaking down boxes for recycling. Shaughnessy also has excellent attendance, which shows his great work ethic.  His co-workers and supervisors would characterize him as an easy-going, polite and caring individual.  In addition, he’s a huge sports fan.  Not only does he love the St. Louis Cardinals, but he loves to watch other sports including NASCAR.  In the past, he participated in a variety of sports himself, including softball, basketball and bowling with the Special Olympics.  But a shoulder injury caused him to retire from active participation; however, he still loves to keep up with what’s going on in the sports world.  He now has a laptop and smart phone to help him keep track of game scores and stats.  Five years ago, Shaughnessy decided he wanted to learn how to read.  His mother hired a tutor for him and he’s been taking regular classes to this day.  He also likes to stay healthy and helps around the house doing laundry and preparing his own meals.

Wojciechowski is a model employee.  She is always happy and smiling. In addition, she can be characterized as being very soft spoken and pleasant to be around. Her supervisors say she is an awesome checker.  They can rely on her to pay attention to detail and catch any rejects that come her way.  Wojciechowski has worked on kitting jobs, along with hanger inspection jobs and many shrink wrapping jobs.  She is an integral member of the lottery kitting crew. Plus, she is a member of the enclave crew.  According to her sister, “Mary absolutely loves her job at Valley Industries!”  To demonstrate her strong work ethic, she has received the perfect attendance award for the past six quarters, which is a year and a half.  One of her biggest joys is music.  In addition to listening to music CDs, she is very knowledgeable about many of the musical artists and likes watching these favorite TV shows: American Idol; The Voice; Dancing with the Stars; and Wheel of Fortune.  Her other interests include playing the piano, getting together with family, going out to eat and enjoying her favorite treat after church on Sundays at Starbucks.

– All proceeds directly benefit Valley Industries Sheltered Workshop –
(HAZELWOOD, MO — January XX, 2017) The Mayors’ Shamrock Ball is coming off a terrific year in the revenues raised for Valley Industries Sheltered Workshop, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Hazelwood. In 2017, the event netted Valley Industries about $40,843 which breaks the record set two years ago of $37,683. Seventy-three local companies and organizations participated as event sponsors and more than 430 individual tickets were sold.

Event organizers anticipate this year’s 11th Annual Mayors’ Shamrock Ball, scheduled for Saturday, March 3, 2018, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. to be the biggest and best one yet. Garden Villas North, 4505 Parker Road, has generously offered its beautiful facility again. In addition, Mayor Norman McCourt of Black Jack, Mayor Tom Schneider of Florissant, Mayor Matthew Robinson of Hazelwood, Mayor James Knowles, III, of Ferguson and Mayor Robert Doerr of Bellefontaine Neighbors will be hosting this event which helps Valley Industries continue to provide meaningful employment for those with developmental disabilities.

“It’s truly a gratifying experience to walk through the production floor and watch Valley Industries’ workers man their stations and do the best of their abilities to keep the assembly line moving until the project is finished,” Hazelwood Mayor Matthew Robinson said. “The Workshop provides these individuals with an opportunity to be gainfully employed and become contributing, tax-paying members of our community.”

Valley Industries first opened its doors for business on March 13, 1967, under the name of Florissant Valley Sheltered Workshop with only 15 employees. Today, the workshop serves almost 200 adults with disabilities in a 60,000 square-foot production facility in Hazelwood. It specializes in contract packaging, kit building, shrink wrapping, collating, assembly, inspections, and blister packaging. Valley Industries is both FDA-certified and ISO 9001:2008 certified, committed to customer satisfaction through audited quality processes.
Over the past decade, the Mayors’ Shamrock Ball has evolved into the St. Louis region’s premier formal “green tie” affair! With its Irish fare of fun, great food, and lively dance music, it has become the place to be and be seen with influential business leaders and elected officials. Individual tickets for $125 each usually sell fast because no one wants to be left out of going to North County’s biggest social soirée. Guests come dressed up to dance the night away, enjoy delicious food, and win fabulous raffle prizes – all for a good cause.

MASTER OF CEREMONIES

KSDK-TV’s Chief Meteorologist Craig Moeller enjoyed participating in last year’s program so much that he has agreed to be the program emcee for this year’s event. Moeller and his wife, Anne, both grew up here and have large extended families living throughout the St. Louis area, including Columbia. After graduating from Mizzou with a degree in Atmospheric Science, Moeller went to KUTV in Salt Lake City to start his broadcasting career. He later moved to Norfolk, Va., and spent 19 years there. When a chance to come back to St. Louis and be on KSDK-TV came up, it was too much to pass up. So Moeller is back here in St. Louis with family and friends and he enjoys making special appearances at local charity events.

EVENT SPONSORSHIP AND TICKETS

The Mayors’ Shamrock Ball offers generous sponsorship packages to local businesses, organizations and individuals. Different sponsorships are available at the following levels: Event Sponsor – $5,000; Emerald Sponsor – $2,500; Pot of Gold Sponsor – $1,000; Leprechaun Sponsor – $600; and Shamrock Sponsor – $300. Those interested in one of these sponsorships can pay by check or by credit card (MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover). If using a check, please make it payable to Valley Industries’ Mayors’ Shamrock Ball. Mail the check to this address: Valley Industries Sheltered Workshop; 143 B McDonnell Boulevard; Hazelwood, MO, 63042.

Those who purchase event sponsorships also receive individual tickets. Contact Jim Guyre, Valley Industries Executive Director, at (314) 731-1771 for more information on sponsorship perks. So far, the Delmar Gardens Family and Florissant Rotary Club have made commitments to be Event Sponsors at the $5,000 level.

The public can purchase individual tickets online for $125 per person. Go to www.valleyind.net to make the transaction. There is a limit of 400 tickets available. Once they are gone, the event is sold out. So don’t procrastinate too long. Each guest will be treated to a full evening of great food, open bar, attendance prizes, super raffle drawings, and fun dance tunes.

ELABORATE DECORATIONS/FOOD STATIONS

For the eighth consecutive year, the Delmar Garden North Campus will graciously host this charity event at the beautiful Garden Villas North Retirement and Assisted Living Community, located at 4505 Park Road, in Black Jack. In addition to festive decorations, ice sculptures and mood lighting, elegant reception stations featuring popular restaurants and catering services will be scattered throughout the facility. These stations will be serving signature dishes, hors d’oeuvres, pastries and desserts for most of the evening.

Participating restaurants and caterers include the following: Catering to You; Garden Villas North; Helfer’s Pasteries & Deli; Krause Katering & Kakes; Longhorn Steakhouse; Mattingly’s; Papa Murphy’s Pizza; Savoy Banquet Center/Paul’s Market; and Pasta House.

Garden Villa North will partner with Delmar Gardens North skilled nursing center to transform their penthouse apartment into a martini lounge accompanied with wine tasting and assortment of candies in several other apartments.

Photographers will be snapping pictures for guests to take home as mementoes of the event. In addition, coffee connoisseurs will be able to sample richly flavored brews at the Ronnoco Coffee Barista Bar near the front entrance.

BIG BAND ENTERTAINMENT

Since the first Mayors’ Shamrock Ball held 11 years ago, The Bob Kuban Band has stepped up to provide the dynamic, high-energy dance music at each of the annual fund-raisers. His professional musical group will once again keep the place hopping and the dance floor full all evening at this year’s event.
Mayors’ Shamrock Ball Follows Record-Breaking Year in Monies Raised, Add One

CROWNING OF THE KING AND QUEEN

Each year, Valley Industries selects a Gentleman Worker of the Year and a Woman Worker of the Year from a pool of employee candidates who were monthly winners in 2017. This year’s honorees are Nick Wood and Barbara McNairy. They will be crowned as the King and Queen of the 11th Annual Mayors’ Shamrock Ball. Their first act of royalty will be to cut the official Mayors’ Shamrock Ball cake, which will be baked, decorated and donated by Helfer’s Pastries & Deli.

Wood, a native of Bellefontaine Neighbors, has been with Valley for about five years and has earned the admiration and respect of his co-workers and staff. His work ethic is above and beyond approach, and he has a great attendance record. He works independently and stays focused. Wood is also very talented at a multitude of tasks and is a great help to his supervisors. In his free time, he loves to read books about nature and animals, camping, fishing, hunting, and especially enjoys float trips.

McNairy, a Florissant resident, is always happy, smiling, polite and a pleasure to be around. She excels at a lot of different jobs, loves trying new things, and can work independently, being very particular about her work. She also received perfect attendance for three consecutive quarters. Outside of work, McNairy enjoys vacationing with her family, amusement parks and going to church.
-30-

11th Annual

Mayors’ Shamrock Ball

Benefiting Valley Industries Sheltered Workshop

Saturday, March 3, 2018

Garden Villas North
4505 Parker Road, Black Jack, MO 63033
6:30 pm – 11:00 pm

Our annual Mayors’ Shamrock Ball held every March is the premier green tie event of North County featuring great food, open bar, dancing and live entertainment. All proceeds benefit Valley Industries. We hope you will join us!

$125 per person includes:
An Evening of Irish Fare, Open Bar and
ENTERTAINMENT by BOB KUBAN
~ Formal Green Tie Attire Encouraged ~
~ Complimentary Valet Parking ~

Tickets are available by mail:
143 B McDonnell Blvd. – Hazelwood, MO 63042
Checks Made out to: Valley Industries

Questions call (314) 731-1771

TICKET & SPONSORSHIP INFO

PRINTABLE FLYER

We honored and celebrated our Veteran’s as we participated in the City of Florissant Veteran’s Parade today! It was a little cold, but everyone along the parade route was enjoying the parade and honoring those who served. The Florissant City Council and Municipal Judge Dan Boyle enjoyed riding on top of the Valley Industries Firetruck, and provided candy for all of the kids along the parade. Looking forward to next year’s parade!

Everyone is having a great time tonight at our Halloween Dance featuring our friends from the band @FlashbackSTL!!! The band is really jamming tonight and our folks are dancing their hearts out until 9:30 P.M.! You can tune into our YouTube channel, turn up your speakers, and enjoy the Classic Rock tunes from @FlashbackSTL tonight and also when they were here last:

Congratulations to our September 2017 Workers of the Month Aleshia Martin and Dennis Reuber. We were so glad Aleshia’s Father, Raymond Martin, and Dennis’ sister and family, Diana, Evan and Darryl Mensinger, were able to join us for this honor. Joyce Finazzo sponsored this month. Thanks to Tracy Dickey of American Eagle Credit Union and Venus Martz, President of the Greater North County Chamber of Commerce for joining us and presenting special awards to the honorees, too. Every Month our Workers of the Month receive special gifts from Helfer’s Pastries and Deli, Instant Imprints, and Papa Murphy’s Pizza. Thank you to all our sponsor

The City of Hazelwood congratulates one of the community’s business leaders, Valley Industries Executive Director Jim Guyre, for being chosen as the recipient of Christian Hospital Foundation’s 2017 Community Vision Award, which recognizes an organization or community member who has created economic opportunities to further the North County area’s presence in the region. He will be presented with this award at the Christian Hospital Foundation’s 9th Annual Legacy Leaders Dinner at Norwood Hills Country Club on October 26, 2017.

In addition to Guyre’s award, there will be three other award presentations to the following individuals and organizations: The Paul F. Detrick Legacy Leadership Award will be given to Dr. Tom George who has served as the chancellor of the University of Missouri-St. Louis since 2003. The Physician of the Year Award will go to Dr. Gerald Moritz who has been a member of the Christian Hospital staff since 1975. Plus, the Carpe Diem Award will be presented to The Salvation Army and Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis for their collaborative effort in opening the Ferguson Community Empowerment Center.

Proceeds from the Legacy Leaders Dinner support the immediate needs of Christian Hospital. It also enables the Foundation to fund efforts such as patient care, advancing medicine and technology, community benefits program, community health access and staff education.

Individual tickets and table sponsorships are still available for the Legacy Leaders Dinner on October 26. Individual tickets cost $125 per person. Tables of 10 cost $1,100. All sponsors, tables of ten and individual reservations can be done online at www.christianhospital.org/lld. For more information, contact Mindy Copp at (314) 653-4410 or Mindy.Copp@bjc.org.

Guyre is a motivated, personable business professional with 32 years of Sheltered Workshop experience working at Valley Industries. He started doing community service work at Valley Industries when he was a senior in high school in 1985. He was hired on as a staff member and worked his way up the ranks to the position of Executive Director in 2008. Guyre currently manages all facets of operations, community and legislative relations, customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, human resources, suppliers, fund-raising, and budgeting.

Valley Industries is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, employing 200 adults and 30 staff members. It’s mission is to provide dignified, meaningful employment for over 200 adults with developmental disabilities. Valley Industries operates in a 60,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and manages a 4,000-square-feet Thrift Store on a 5-acre parcel in Hazelwood. The workshop is ISO 9001:2008 Certified. It specializes in contract packaging, kit building, shrink wrapping, collating, assembly, inspections, and blister packaging.

In 2016, Valley Industries celebrated its 50th anniversary and 10th anniversary of the Mayors’ Shamrock Ball, which is a major fund-raiser held on the first Saturday of March every year. Last year, the Mayors of five North County cities that host this annual event – Florissant, Hazelwood, Black Jack, Ferguson, and Bellefontaine Neighbors – got together and presented Valley Industries with a joint proclamation congratulating Valley Industries on this momentous occasion. In addition, Senator Gina Walsh, Dist. 13, and Representative Gretchen Bangert, Dist. 69, gave resolutions to Guyre from both houses of state government.

Valley Industries honors its Employees of the Year by crowning them as the King and Queen of the Mayors’ Shamrock Ball. Their first task as royalty of the event is cutting the Shamrock Ball cake. Guyre has been instrumental in building strong support from the region’s business community to be major sponsors for this event. Hundreds of people come dressed up to have a good time and support a worthy cause. They dance the night away to the brassy sounds of The Bob Kuban Band and sample delicious food at different stations around the room, prepared by popular restaurant/catering vendors. In addition, they get to participate in several raffles for fabulous prizes with all the proceeds directly benefiting Valley Industries.

Thank you Valley Industries Partners (VIP’s) for another great Hot Dog/Hamburger Day! All of the wonderful volunteers made the day so successful and we are so blessed to have such great family and friends’ support. The event was extra special as both Hazelwood Police Chief Hall and Florissant Police Chief Lowery along with many of their fine Police officers from both departments joined us for lunch and to volunteer and socialize with our employees! Even Hazelwood Chief Carl Wolf (ret) joined us from Florida! And we have to have our friend Eddie the Florissant Police Dog join in the fun. The ice cream truck from Cool Times Ice Cream was a great new addition this year. Thanks to our community for helping to make our employees’ day so special and a big thanks to Nancy Geno for helping to coordinate it all! #MyJobMyChoice #NorthCountyProud #DignityHasAVoice