Blue Jean Ball returns to packed house

Photos courtesy of Ozarks Healthcare

Community gathers at Silver Springs Ranch for a relaxed evening of fun, fundraising, and support for Ozarks Healthcare

The Blue Jean Ball gala, hosted by the Ozarks Healthcare Foundation, returned after a pandemic-related absence to enthusiastic response. More than 600 tickets were sold to the event, which took place at Silver Springs Ranch on Oct. 5. 

The 2024 event was the 12th time Blue Jean Ball has been held, but the first since COVID-19. The large turnout demonstrated how much the community missed the evening which, as the name implies, tones down the dress code compared to other charity events.

“This is a country version of a gala,” said Josh Reeves, vice president of development. “It is very relaxed, very laid-back. The whole premise is for people in the community to get together, socialize, talk to one another, see folks at the hospital that they haven’t seen over the course of the year. It’s an event to celebrate Ozarks Healthcare, celebrate one another, be thankful and have a good time.”

The evening featured dinner, drinks and live music by the Ben Oesch Band. Silent auction and live auction bidding as well as various activities, from riding a mechanical bull to ax throwing to build-your-own-jewelry, kept attendees entertained and engaged. The Blue Jean Ball not only brought the community together for a memorable evening but also raised over $80,000 to support vital Ozarks Healthcare initiatives.

Money raised by the event goes to help support the foundation and the hospital, Reeves said. 

“The hospital foundation hosts the event and the funds go to two different sources,” he said. “One is our general scholarship fund, supporting young people in south central Missouri who want to pursue careers in health care. Another portion goes to toward our general endowment fund, to help meet all the needs of our patients, our coworkers and just provide general support for the hospital.”

Reeves said the large turnout was gratifying as it showed the public’s continued support of the local hospital and the many medical services it provides. 

“Attendance-wise, the turnout was even a little bit above some of the events that we held pre-pandemic,” he said. “We actually were very pleased with the public’s response to this event.”