‘Bal Masque’ Turns Heads for St. Jude Hospital

The theme of Damas de Caridad’s 24th annual Bal Masque Saturday at the Disneyland Hotel was “Tribute to the Performing Arts.”

Interpreting the theme, nine talented florists came up with some stunning creations, from “Fantasia” to “The Raven: A Tribute to Horror Classics.”

It was “Madame Butterfly,” an elaborate floral headdress, that earned first place at the black-tie ball, which was attended by nearly 800 guests.

Keith Clark, conductor of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra, was master of ceremonies for the ball, which raised nearly $85,000 for St. Jude Hospital and Rehabilitation Center in Fullerton. Proceeds will be used to upgrade or replace monitoring equipment in the hospital’s Special Care section for the critically ill.

“Madame Butterfly,” evoking the opera about a beautiful geisha who falls in love with an American naval officer, was designed by Darrell Poper, of Standing Ovation Flower Gallery, Los Alamitos. The headdress, adorned with a giant carp, a parasol and a ming tree, was modeled by Mrs. Dennis Ullrich, Fullerton, and sponsored by Hydraflow and the Ullrich family.

Damas de Caridad, which produces the annual ball, is an invitational volunteer organization of women from Orange and Los Angeles counties. To date, the group has raised more than $589,000 for St. Jude Hospital and Rehabilitation Center.