A black tie event supporting an international Parkinson’s Disease charity is set to take place on the high plains of North Central Kansas.

The Emerald Ball will be held on Saturday, Nov. 21. Event proceeds will benefit the Davis Phinney Foundation, a national nonprofit that focuses on improving quality of life for people living with Parkinson’s. The event is being coordinated by Team Basil for Parkinson’s Disease Awareness, a grassroots organization created by writer and speaker, J. Basil Dannebohm.

Dannebohm, 33, was diagnosed with the young onset form of the neurodegenerative disease three years ago and has since been a leading advocate for Parkinson’s research, treatment and awareness. In May, he announced that he would spearhead a campaign to raise $150,000 in support of the Davis Phinney Foundation.

“The mission of the Davis Phinney Foundation is like none other,” said Dannebohm. “People with Parkinson’s need to hear the message, ‘Go out and live!’ The Davis Phinney Foundation empowers people to become engaged and informed, to tackle this disease head-on and to live well.”

Hays was selected as the host city for the ball. Dr. Mirta Martin, President of Fort Hays State University will serve alongside Dannebohm as co-host for what Team Basil hopes will become an annual event.

“We chose Hays for a number of reasons,” said Tory Arnberger, who serves as Dannebohm’s communications coordinator. “We were especially impressed with Fort Hays State University’s Communication Sciences and Disorders Department and their work to improve the lives of Parkinson’s patients through the various programs offered at the Herndon Clinic. We hope the event will offer an opportunity to showcase their work.”

The Emerald Ball will be held in the Memorial Union’s Fort Hays Ballroom on the campus of Fort Hays State University.

Gentlemen are encouraged to wear black tie and ladies should wear an evening gown. Attendees can expect a cocktail social, silent auction, dinner, oral auction of 3 major prizes, recognitions, and a dance. The planning team will announce the keynote speaker at a later date.

Sierra Scott will serve as emcee for the gala. Scott is the co-host of The Brett & Sierra Show, a popular daytime talk show which is broadcasted at 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday on KSCW.

“Sierra is the perfect emcee,” said Arnberger. “She’s incredibly elegant, charming, and a strong supporter of charitable causes. We are thrilled she will be joining us for the ball.”

The legendary Frankie Valens, who shot to fame in the 1960s and enjoyed hits with “This Magic Moment” and “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” will perform during the event.

While the event is several months away, the planning committee is already at work lining out every detail to ensure an elegant and memorable experience for attendees.

“Every once in awhile you get this urge to get dressed up, enjoy a great meal, do a little dancing, and create a lasting memory,” said Dannebohm. “The Emerald Ball will offer that experience, while supporting a superb cause.”

The Davis Phinney Foundation was created in 2004 to help people with Parkinson’s disease live well today. Its major initiatives include: the Every Victory Counts® manual, developed by movement disorder experts to provide practical ways to live well with Parkinson’s; The Victory Summit® symposia series, which brings experts into communities to share advances in science, care and to inspire those affected by the disease to take action; the Living Well Challenge™ educational webinar series; the “Parkinson’s Exercise Essentials” video and the funding of research focused on exercise, speech and other quality of life therapies.

“We are so pleased to know that our resources have helped ignite Representative Dannebohm to action around our mission and thrilled with planning committee’s efforts for the Emerald Ball,” said Polly Dawkins, executive director of the Davis Phinney Foundation. “This event will help us generate awareness of the work of the Davis Phinney Foundation in Kansas and points beyond. Our goal is that everyone affected by Parkinson’s will have the appropriate tools and resources to improve their day to day living with the disease, and the impact of the Emerald Ball will help us reach more people with the information needed to live well today.”