Bayou Ball to benefit AISD Education Foundation

WALLISVILLE— Dawn your best cowboy boots and fashionable attire for Anahuac ISD Education Foundation and ESA Sorority's Third Annual Bayou Ball. 

The Bayou Ball will be Feb. 15 from 6 to 11 p.m. at White Park Community Building at 222 White Memorial Park Road, Wallisville. 

With a “You’ve Got to Have an Ace in the Hole” theme, the ball will feature a George Strait impersonator named Derek Spence and his band titled Southern County Line. 

“What we’ve been told is he’s one of the best George Strait impersonators around,” said Hannah Vaughan, event coordinator for AEF. “He’s great.”  

The two nonprofit organizations have worked together for about six years now. The organizations split profits from the event, but both put earnings back into the schools. 

Each guest will receive a steak dinner, included with ticket purchase, and drinks will also be available. 

Along with live entertainment, a silent auction and multiple backdrops for photo opportunities will be available. 

Tickets are $100 per person with seating behind the dance floor. VIP tickets are $1,500 and include 10 seats at a table closer to the stage. 

Sponsors receive tickets as well. The top two tiers receive 10, third tier receives six, fourth tier receives four and the final tier receives two. 

Vaughan has been working on preparing the silent auction. 

“The silent auction will be really nice. We're working on some really great items for that,” Vaughan said. “Last year we raised almost $9,000 in the silent auction and so I am laser focused on raising more than that this year.” 

To become a sponsor or to donate to the silent auction, visit AEF’s website listed below. 

Similar to last year’s ball, a 50/50 raffle will be available for guests. There will be two decks of cards with $20 per card. Participants choose a card from the decks and keep half the card. 

At the end of the night a card is drawn, and the winner receives half the earnings from the event. 

Vaughan is most excited to see the decorations. 

“Our decorating committee, they always do a really good job,” Vaughan said. “I love the decorations. I like to show up and be wowed by it because all the other events I do I’m the one decocting.” 

Julia Hall, executive director for the foundation, worked with the Chambers County Commissioner’s Court to wave fees regarding the community room, helping the nonprofit to save on expenses. 

“Come out and have fun,” Vaughen said. 

Vaughen estimated about 300 attended last year’s ball. 

The Bayou Ball is the foundation’s largest fundraiser of the year and they have other events throughout the year, including a fish fry in October. 

The nonprofit’s monthly raffle will have its first drawing on Tuesday. Tickets are $25 each and participants can enter as many times as they wish. 

Prizes range from $250 to $400 in value, and tickets remain in the drawing for the calendar year, even winning tickets. To purchase a ticket, visit AEF’s website listed below or contact a member. 

The foundation also gives grants to educators, ranging from teachers to administrators to custodians. Applications will be available this week, sent to principals. 

Grant recipients are vetted by a review committee and last year about $32,000 was awarded to educators. 

To purchase a ticket or for questions contact Vaughen at 281-450-3583 or visit the foundation’s website at www.anahuaceducationfoundation.org.