In celebration of the Junior Auxiliary of Columbus 75th Annual Charity Ball, a very special Charity Ball Preview Tea took place on March 2 at the historic Colonnade Home downtown. The event was held in honor of all the Junior Auxiliary of Columbus past Pilgrimage/Charity Ball chairmen and featured an exclusive preview of the upcoming event in April, as well as a special presentation reflecting on the rich history and enduring legacy of this beloved community tradition.
To read the feature in the Commercial Dispatch, CLICK HERE.
Junior Auxiliary of Columbus Annual Charity Ball
The Columbus Chapter of the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries officially received its charter in November of 1943, and within its first decade of service, gained a reputation for being a group of fiercely hard working women, dedicated to making the community a better place for its children. That dedication was what led Mr. Glover Wilkins of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce to approach Chapter President, Mrs. George Hazard (Florence) in 1951 with a unique request: to solve the problem of entertaining out-of-town guests during the annual Columbus Pilgrimage.
Mr. Wilkins knew the women of Junior Auxiliary were women of action and springing into action is exactly what they did. Florence Hazard gathered with a group of other members of the Finance Committee that year, including Mrs. John W. Slaughter, Jr. (Eleanor), Mrs. Hallie Evans Broadfoot, Mrs. Penn Taylor (Catherine), Mrs. S.T. Pilkinton, Jr (Helen), Mrs. Charles Haynes (Catherine), Mrs. Richard Beneke (Daphne), and several others.
Inspired by her childhood experiences attending the grand Mardi Gras Balls in New Orleans—such as the Comus and Proteus Balls—Florence Hazard proposed a solution: the creation of a Pilgrimage Pageant Ball.
Under the leadership of the first Ball Co-Chairs, Catherine Taylor and Helen Pilkinton, the inaugural “Pilgrimage Pageant Ball” was held in the spring of 1951 at the Columbus City Auditorium, now known as the James L. Trotter Convention Center. Irvin Weitzenhoffer and Betty Ruth Hardin reigned as the first King and Queen. It was a simple but elegant affair, featuring a tableau with borrowed plants from Miller’s Nursery. At the time, the King was selected from the Chamber’s “Man of the Year” honorees, and the Court was made up of high school senior girls escorted by presidents of local civic organizations.
Over the years, the event evolved into an increasingly elaborate production and became the premier social event in Columbus every spring. The Junior Auxiliary assumed full responsibility for selecting the Royal Court, and the Ball became a spectacle, featuring extravagant themes, stunning sets, and live performances.
For decades, attendees enjoyed a pageant play, and highlights from prior years include Mr. Oop Swoop’s entrance into the City Auditorium on a horse with his fox hounds, and Colleen Berry McCollum’s “Maud Marble” performance in the “Golden Slippers” of 1967 when she sang and entertained the crowd from a beautifully decorated swing that hung from the ballroom rafters.
Another highlight of the ball is “The Columbus Waltz,” a musical score written by 1956 King Dr. Jo Newell Robinson, during which the King and Queen waltz with former Royalty.
The pageant plays became a hallmark of the event, celebrating Columbus history through song, dance, and intricate storytelling. These productions often included casts of over 50 people, bringing together children and community members in a grand theatrical celebration.
Fundraising for the Ball traditionally came from listing sponsors and donors in the Playbill. However, in 1998, under the leadership of Charity Ball Chair Patti Griffin, the Chapter introduced a new fundraising publication: Report to the Community. This special report, which debuted in the Commercial Dispatch, drastically increased public awareness of the Junior Auxiliary and its projects, significantly boosting revenues for the Chapter. Today, Report to the Community continues to play a vital role in the Chapter’s fundraising efforts, with a refreshed magazine-style format introduced in 2023.
In 2010, the last pageant play was performed, marking the end of an era in event history. The following year, the focus shifted to showcasing established community groups, with the Columbus Girl Choir performing at the 61st Annual Charity Ball. Around this time, the event’s name officially changed to the “Junior Auxiliary of Columbus Charity Ball,” reflecting its core purpose: raising funds to support the Chapter’s service projects.
Thanks to the success of the annual Charity Ball and Report to the Community, the Junior Auxiliary of Columbus is able to dedicate more time to hands-on service work and less time to fundraising. Today, donations, sales, and sponsorships from these two initiatives serve as the Chapter’s sole sources of revenue, ensuring the sustainability of its mission to serve the children of Columbus and Lowndes County.
The Junior Auxiliary of Columbus Annual Charity Ball is the culmination of a year’s worth of planning, the result of the dedication and creativity of Active and Provisional Members, and a vital connection between the Chapter and its community. For 75 years, it has cemented its place as a beloved and historic event in Columbus, celebrating the Chapter’s legacy of service.
Special thanks to JA Columbus Past Presidents and former Charity Ball Queens, Eulalie Davis and Cindy Rood, for their contributions to this article.
For information on the 2025 Junior Auxiliary of Columbus Charity Ball, CLICK HERE.