"It's the social event of the season," stated Heil. "The

Valentine Ball is the major fund raising event we sponsor annually and

raises much needed funding that this year will directly benefit the Fine

Arts Departments at our five Fayette County high schools."

During 2003 the ECCA provided $14,500 to a variety of Fayette County

arts organizations and schools including $7,000 in scholarships to Fayette

County high school graduates pursuing a career in the Arts. ECCA President

Sandra Jungers announced that the Board of Directors voted unanimously

to increase substantially the organizations support of the visual and

performing Arts education programs in the county high schools as well

as providing financial support of the Fayette Family YMCA Aquatic, Arts

and Humanities Center currently under design. The ECCA has made an initial

pledge of $25,000 to support the YMCA project and the 450 seat theater

to be built as part of the complex.

"We have been advised that budget shortfalls for the 2003-2004 school

year amounted to a two-thirds reduction in the funding of fine arts programs.

That means that approximately 50 cents per student has been allocated

for fine arts education in our high schools. If we are to continue to

provide a high standard of awareness of the arts and a foundation of related

studies for students wanting to pursue a career in the arts, we must attempt

to fill the gap as much as possible. We are looking forward to the Valentine

Ball and Auction to put a major dent in the deficit our high schools are

facing," stated Jungers.

The evening, which is open to non ECCA members as well, includes a social

hour at 7 p.m., followed by dinner and dancing at 8:15 p.m. Music for

the evening will be provided by Class Act, and a live and silent auction

will follow the dinner.

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