Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital Foundation will host its 31st annual Winter Ball on Saturday, February 25th at the Paragon Casino Resort Mari Showroom in Marksville, Louisiana. The event begins at 7:00pm with cocktails and a buffet dinner.

Christus Cabrini’s Winter Ball ranks as one of Central Louisiana’s premier black-tie events. What started more than 30 years ago is now one of the hospital’s most successful fundraising efforts. “We’re extremely grateful to the Paragon Casino Resort, The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, The Town Talk, and Million Air of Alexandria, for their commitment and partnership in sponsoring our event,” said Theresa Slater, Winter Ball Coordinator for Christus Cabrini Foundation. “We also want to thank our patrons for their continued support of Cabrini’s healthcare initiatives. Their dedication to our ministry, which I have witnessed over 21 years, has allowed Cabrini to build a legacy of state-of-the-art healthcare services in Central Louisiana.”

The Christus Cabrini Foundation has designated the proceeds from this year’s event to benefit the Christus Cabrini Pediatric Therapy Center (the only center of its kind in a 19-parish area). The Center provides occupational, speech and physical therapy to young patients, catering specifically to low income families. “As the only provider of comprehensive pediatric therapy in our community, we’re pleased to recognize our Pediatric Therapy Center at this year’s Winter Ball. Invaluable work of our highly skilled and experienced therapists is a vital part of Christus Cabrini’s ministry to the children of Central Louisiana,” said Stephen F. Wright, CEO of Christus Health Louisiana.”

Honorary co-chairs for this year’s event are Karen and Ed Humphrey of Alexandria. “You will be joining people at this awesome event that show amazing compassion and concern for those who are not as fortunate. To have a facility of this caliber in Central Louisiana, the Pediatric Therapy Center re-iterates the Christus Cabrini mission of continuing the Healing Ministry of Jesus Christ,” said Ed Humphrey who also serves on the Christus Cabrini Foundation Board.

Special guest, Neal McCoy, a two-time “Entertainer of the Year”, performing hits such as “Wink”, “No Doubt About It”, and “The Shake”, also sings a variety of popular music for everyone to enjoy.  The evening will continue after the main entertainment with dancing to the sounds of Stormy.

Tickets can be purchased at the Christus Cabrini Foundation office and include Patron ($175), Silver ($300) and Gold ($350) levels. Patron tables are priced at $2,000 each, and the Silver Circle and Gold Circle tables are priced at $3,000 and $3,500 respectively. All tables seat ten people.

Paragon Casino Resort is offering accommodations to guests at a special rate. The Deluxe Tower rooms begin at $179.00 and standard rooms are available for $135.00. Reservations can be made by calling (800) 642-7777 or faxing your request form to (318) 240-6601. Please be sure to reference the Cabrini Winter Ball 2012 when making reservations to quality for the special rate.

For more information, please call the Cabrini Foundation at (318) 448-4952 or (318) 448-6580.