Butterfly Ball FAQs
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Click the link below for FAQs on a specific topic
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Q. Where is the Chelsea Center?
A. The Chelsea Center is a lovely, large event venue used primarily for the Diocese of Venice. It is located on the grounds of St. Thomas More in Sarasota, FL. The address is: 2506 Gulf Gate Dr., Sarasota, 34231. Click here for directions
Q. How many people can sit at a table?
A. We will offer the option for you to select to sit at a 6-person or 8-person table when you purchase your tickets online. We will try to accommodate your request. Please note, if you are identifying to sit with a specific person(s), your table cannot exceed the maximum seats selected.
Q. Will seating be assigned?
A. Yes, to reduce chaos, individuals will be assigned to a table. All guests whose tickets are purchased on the same form will be assigned to the same table.
Q. Will there be valet parking?
A. The Valet company needs dedicated parking spaces for their services. We were able to block 100 spaces dedicated for valet parking, available on a first come/first serve basis. There will be plenty of self-parking also available which is very close to the entrance.
Q. I will be coming in from Naples, Orlando, etc. and prefer to not drive home that evening. Do you have any suggestions?A. We love how we have OLPH constituents from all over Florida and the U.S.! The following hotels are very close to the venue. Why not come into Sarasota for the weekend, enjoy the Ringling Museum, Selby Botanical Gardens, or famous beaches/UTC shopping by day and then rest up to spend the night with us! On Sunday, join us for 11:15 am mass at OLPH, before your return home.
- Best Western Plus Siesta Key Gateway, 6600 S Tamiami Trl (<1 mile from venue)
- Comfort Suites - Siesta Key, 5690 Honore Ave (<4 miles from venue)
- Carlisle Inn (<6 miles from venue)
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Q. What time does the event begin?
A. The event is scheduled from 6:00 to 10:00 pm, with registration, cocktail hour and silent auction beginning at 6:00 and dinner served at 7:00. A full schedule of events will be posted as we closer to the date.
Q. How much is a ticket? How much is tax deductible?
A. The ticket price is $200.00. Tickets are non-tax deductible.
Q. What does the ticket price include?
A. The ticket price includes passed Hors D'oeuvres during cocktail hour, dinner (including salad, meat/fish, starch, vegetable), dessert, coffee/tea, and an open bar all evening offering wine/beer/soda/water. In addition, we will have multiple musical entertainers, dancing, silent auction, live auction, and raffles.
Q. Does the event include an open bar?
A. Your ticket price includes an all-you-would-like open bar serving beer, wine, sodas, and water. Please note that it is not necessary to tip the bartenders as we have accounted for this with the catering company.
Q. Who is catering the event?
A. We are still interviewing caterers and will update with our selection soon.
Q. What do I wear?
A. We request that guests wear cocktail attire to this event. Cocktail attire is usually described as less formal than formal attire, but not too casual. It typically means a dark suit or slacks and a sport coat for men (tie optional) and a cocktail dress or nice blouse and skirt/dark pants for women. We respectfully request no jeans or shorts.
Q. I purchased tickets to the event, but something came up and I cannot make it. Can I get a refund?
A. Unfortunately, as tickets are purchased, we notify the caterers of our count and will be charged accordingly. However, we may know someone in need of tickets, so please contact Carol Miller to see if we have anyone on the wait list:
rsvp@olph-retreat.org or 941-486-0233 ext. 3011. -
Q. I would like to help OLPH raise funds by donating. What are my options?
A. Thank you in advance for thinking of us! There are many ways you can donate to the event. Click the item below for more information.- Donating a gift basket, item, or service
- Donating money to purchase items for a gift basket
- Purchasing items on the OLPH Butterfly Ball Wish List located on Amazon (these are items we have identified that we need to decorate the venue, create table centerpieces, prepare auction items, etc.)
- Donating time to help us prepare for the event(this may include preparing mailings, organizing handouts/programs, making gift baskets/wrapping items we received as donations, etc.)
Q. What type of items are you accepting for donations?
A. All donated items must be new and in their original, unopened package. If you are donating a gift card, gift certificate, etc., the expiration date of the gift cannot be before December 31, 2026. If you have an item and would like to learn more about donating it, please contact Carol Miller at OLPH: [email protected]
or 941-486-0233 ext. 3011.
Q. I have a friend who owns a local business / I own a local business. How can I help?
A. There are so many options for helping OLPH including donating an item/service for the silent/live auction, advertising in the Event's Program, sponsoring a table, promoting the event, etc. Click on the following links to learn more:- Donating a gift card, item, basket or service
- Advertising in the Event's Program
- Sponsoring a table
- Underwriting a portion of the event
- Promoting the event by telling your colleagues, friends, and families
Q. Is my donation tax deductible?
A. OLPH is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. We will record all donations and provide you a Statement of Donation so that you can use it for tax purposes to the extent that you are able.
Q. How do I get my donation to you?
A. To make a donation, you may complete the online form by clicking here. OLPH will send you an email identifying that we received your completed Donation Form and will work with you to make arrangement to either pick up the item at your convenience or you could drop off/mail the item at/to OLPH (3989 South Moon Dr., Venice, FL 34292) -
Q. I saw that there will be an Online Auction, a Silent Auction and Live Auction. What is the difference and when do they occur during the evening?
A. The Online and Silent Auctions are reserved for items valued under $300. Online Auctions will be available via a designated auction website. Online Auctions will go live throughout the year, offering a variety of items that anyone can bid on. You do not have to attend the event to participate in the Online Auction.A Silent Auction will be available for those attending the event. The venue will have tables of these items for you to peruse and bid on. You may review/bid on items from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. At 8:00, we will close the bidding on the Silent Auction items and determine the winners.
The Live Auction is reserved for items valued over $300. A professional Auctioneer will lead the live bidding process, using assigned paddle numbers. The Live Auction will start at approximately 8:15 pm. In addition, it is during this time that From the Heart donations may also be made.
Q. If I win an item I have bid on, how do I pay?
A. We will accept checks, cash, and credit cards on the night of the event for winning bids. Authorized OLPH staff/volunteers will be there to assist you. Checks can be made out to: OLPH.
If you are using a credit card, you could save time at the end of the evening by pre-registering your credit card. No charges will be made without receiving approval from you the evening of the event. To learn more about pre-registering your credit card, please contact Carol Miller at OLPH [email protected] or 941-486-0233 ext. 3011.
Q. If I win an item I have bid on, do I have to take it home with me that night?
A. We will need to clear the venue of all decorations, signs, auction items, etc. at the end of the evening. To help our volunteers do this as quickly and efficiently as possible, we strongly encourage you to take your winning items home with you... and start to enjoy them! If for some reason this is not possible, please let Carol Miller or Wendy Mast know at the event and we will try to make arrangements to have the item transported to OLPH for you to pick up the week after the event.
Q. What other types of entertainment will you offer?
A. In addition to being able to mingle with old and new friends and getting into a bidding frenzy (we hope!), we will have music and a dance floor setup for some extra enjoyment, a video on the history of OLPH, raffles and other games, will also be available to participate in.