United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore Raises Over $204K at 21st Annual Holiday Ball

United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore (UWLES) recently hosted its 21st Annual Holiday Ball at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort, raising over $204,000 to support the organization’s direct programs and nonprofit partners serving Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties.

The evening featured Randy Scott of Froggy 99.9 and Ricky Pollitt as emcees, setting a lively tone for the celebration. Guests danced the night away to live music performed by Perfekt Blend. They enjoyed an elegant gourmet dinner, specialty drinks, desserts, and late-night fare provided by the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort culinary team. The event also offered an online auction of exciting travel packages, specialty baskets representing all four counties, and more, along with other ways to support the fundraiser. Guests enjoyed interactive experiences and a new Fire & Ice Lounge with firepits and s’mores.

This year’s Holiday Ball celebrated a remarkable milestone with UWLES’s 80th anniversary, highlighting a critical community issue: ALICE®, which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. ALICE refers to individuals and families who work but struggle to meet basic financial needs. Over two in five local households face these challenges, even with steady employment. UWLES President and CEO Pam Gregory and Perdue Farms CEO Kevin McAdams challenged guests to engage in UWLES’ upcoming campaign, Over the Edge for ALICE, with a fun video about the May rappelling event in partnership with The Ross.

“The Holiday Ball is more than just a night of celebration—it brings our community together to make a lasting impact. Raising awareness about ALICE is central to our mission, and events like these allow UWLES and our partners to help more neighbors thrive. Thank you to our committee, sponsors, and guests for another successful Ball and for helping us celebrate 80 years of local impact,” shared Pam Gregory

The dedication of the Holiday Ball Committee, led by Diallo and Chalarra Sessoms, created a truly elevated experience for attendees. This year’s ball was supported by a wide array of generous sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort & Spa, and Gold Sponsors – Downtown Bridal, Salisbury University, and University of Maryland Eastern Shore; Silver Sponsors – BFG Financial Advisors, Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, Delmarva Power, Hebron Savings Bank, Holloway Funeral Home, M&T Bank, PB Packaging, Inc., and TidalHealth; Bronze Sponsors – Ocean Downs Casino, The Campbell Foundation, and Wor-Wic Community College;  Titanium Sponsors – Atlantic General Hospital, Kuhn’s Jewelers, and Wealthspire Advisors; Cobalt Sponsors – First Shore Federal, Mr. Mark Rudnick, and SFG Wealth Management; and Highlight sponsors Gregg & Jaci Uecker and PKS CPA.

Looking ahead, UWLES is already planning the 2025 Holiday Ball, which will be held on December 6, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort. For more information or to inquire about early bird sponsorship opportunities, visit www.uwles.org or call 410-742-5143.

About United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore: 

United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore (UWLES), celebrating 80 years of local service, harnesses the power of our community to advance health, education, and financial stability for all neighbors in Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties. UWLES and their community partners help empower Lower Shore residents by addressing barriers for better health, supporting educational success for learners of all ages, and strengthening economic security for local households. UWLES provides direct services, collaborates with stakeholders, and supports dozens of local nonprofits to strengthen the entire community, impacting 1 in every 3 neighbors annually. Through the Get Connected Volunteer Center, UWLES connects over 200 nonprofits with community members who want to get involved. For more information on United Way or to help make a difference visit: www.uwles.org, www.ShoreGetConnected.org, Facebook@uwles, Instagram@unitedwayles, LinkedIN@uwles or Twitter@UNITEDWAY_LES.