Ice Ball: Making a Difference for 20 Years
Ice Ball: Making a Difference for 20 Years
She was just trying to help. Little did Big Sister Amy Clary realize that she and her friend Paul were starting an event that, 20 years later, would be one of the premier galas in Austin as well as Big Brothers Big Sisters’ main fundraiser – the BBBS Ice Ball Gala.
In the beginning, it wasn’t called the Ice Ball. “Our first milestone was getting through the first gala,” said Amy. “This was a rag-tag group of friends in our twenties who didn’t come from money and none of us had ever been to a gala before. Our budget was exactly $0. We relied on our connections and powers of persuasion. We each brought something different to the group. It’s shocking it came together at all. What we didn’t have in money or experience, we had in passion and dedication.”
The first year’s theme was “A Trip Around the World.” It was held in the Shoreline Grill ballroom and featured one of Amy’s friends who’d just received her auctioneer license – it would be her first gala. It did not feature a sit-down dinner, but rather a buffet. According to Amy, they sold 15 tickets for $85 each, auctioned off such prized objects as a macrame owl, and raised a total of $6,000.
“I think that we had around 150 people our first year, and most of those came for free. We couldn’t get the tickets sold at $85 each but we’d worked so hard, and we had secured so many vendors that we ended up giving away most of the tickets so we could fill up the room,” said Amy. “It worked. We were still able to sell the auction items and make a profit since our expenses were so low. Six thousand dollars seemed like a lot of money to us 20 years ago.”
The event almost ended right there though. “I said never again,” laughed Amy. “But BBBS’ CEO thanked us over and over and was so appreciative and so supportive. He said BBBS would help with the next event.”
The second year the theme was “A Night in Monte Carlo” and the event was held at the Austin Children’s Museum. It was followed the next year with a jubilee-themed event held at McCormick & Schmick’s that featured jugglers and face painters. This gathering raised $24,000.
It wasn’t until the 4th year that the event officially became the Ice Ball Gala. “After several years of different themes Jason Stoneberg came up with the Ice Ball theme,” said Amy. “We thought it was the simplest to execute, so we went with it….and here we are. Sometimes the simple things are the best.”
The event featured a signature ice sculpture and celebrity Bobby Bones got involved, which the crowd of 200 enjoyed. The gala was held at an event center that year and raised $40,000, but the night was not without its challenges.
“McCormick & Schmick’s and Flemming’s restaurants had agreed to cater the event, but due to a communication error they ended up bringing only one tray of food,” said Amy. “We had 200 guests. So, we ended up running to HEB and getting premade food trays as well as ordering pizza. The food was a disaster, but the theme was a hit.”
The group that had been organizing the event through these early years had formed a non-profit called Helping Austin. “When we started, our goal was to choose different non-profits throughout Austin to sponsor,” said Amy, “but after several years of a great partnership with BBBS, we really became more of a fundraising arm for BBBS than a standalone organization. The BBBS board really stepped in and started helping get the event to the next level.”
During this time Brent Fields became BBBS’ CEO and he was a big fan of the event. The Ice Ball continued to grow and was held one year at the Austin Music Hall. However, according to Amy, a major turning point in the event came during a conversation between her, Reva Enzminger, who had taken the lead on the event, and longtime supporter Clayton Christopher.
“Clayton said, ‘You are going to have to make a decision,’” said Amy. “Are you going to hold an event, just invite your friends, and hope it makes money. Or are you going to hold a money-making event and invite your friends.’”
It was at this point that the group started holding the gala in hotel ballrooms and serving a sit-down dinner. The event was also starting to attract larger crowds.
“Ice Ball had been a homegrown event,” said Amy. “But the volunteers were worn out. We knew that if we wanted to take it to the next level and move it forward, we needed to make it more professional; that if we wanted it to continue, BBBS needed to take it over, manage it, and put some resources behind it.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters took charge of the event in 2011 and continued working with friends and large networks of supporters to promote, implement and grow the gala.
The event moved to another level when long-time volunteers and supporters Connie and Bill Nelson assumed the reins as Ice Ball chairs in 2014 and 2015. Through their work recruiting volunteers, many of whom ultimately became Ice Ball Host Committee members and gala chairs as well, each year brought an increase in attendance and support.
Even in 2020, when Ice Ball was held virtually due to the pandemic, the event proved to be extraordinarily successful. With Leslie and Troy Marcus as gala chairs, BBBS’ online Ice Ball became a model for other galas in the community and around the country during the restrictive year.
Another major milestone was achieved in 2021 when Ice Ball, which had such humble beginnings, exceeded the million-dollar mark in funds raised for the first time.
Today, Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Ice Ball Gala is widely recognized as one of the premier galas in Central Texas, and it continues to raise the bar for excellence.
“Reflecting on the past 20 years of the Ice Ball, I am profoundly moved by the dedication demonstrated by everyone involved. Countless individuals have stepped up to lead committees, volunteer their time, engage their networks, sell, and purchase tickets, donate, and wrap auction items into the early morning hours, and design websites and programs,” said Amy.
“All of these efforts have centered around a common goal: providing mentoring opportunities for children in need. The impact of the Ice Ball on the lives of these children is truly remarkable, with thousands benefiting from these mentorships. The transformation in the lives of both the Littles and Bigs has created a ripple effect, positively influencing our community and beyond. It is truly inspiring to reflect on how the Ice Ball has made, and continues to make, the world a better place.”
As we come together to celebrate 20 years of impact, who knows how many children’s lives we’ll change this year!? We hope you’ll join us.
Happy 20th Anniversary, Ice Ball!
Reserve your tables and tickets at www.AustinIceBall.org
