Along the Avenue of the Arts, guests attended 23rd annual American Red Cross Red Ball, held for the first time ever at the historic Bellevue Hotel in downtown Philadelphia in the newly renovated Grande Belle ballroom.

Former CBS3 weather anchor Katie Fehlinger has hosted the Red Ball since 2020 and welcomed ball guests under the opulent chandeliers to a night of dancing and delicious food, all in support of the Red Cross mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies.

“This very ballroom has actually been hosting Red Cross events dating all the way back to World War II,” she said.

Red Cross Events Specialist Ashley Britton started working on this year’s Red Ball as soon as the last one ended a year ago. This year’s event featured a 360 photo booth, live music and a silent auction which included sports memorabilia from superstar athletes.

Melissa Knox is the supervisor of supplies for the Kitting Department in Biomedical Services. She volunteered at the Red Ball helping bring auction items into the hotel, setting up tables and putting out candles.

“I’m a really big Phillies sports fan, especially the Eagles, so seeing the signed jerseys and stuff from Eagles players was really cool,” she said.

Ashley was most excited to see how guests reacted to the art auction, which was new this year.

“We’re excited to see what the bidding looks like, and we have some really great pieces that reflect the Red Cross. We asked our artists who donated to paint under the theme of ‘The Power of Red’ and how that resonated with them,” she said.

Using hues of red and scarlet, Amir Campbell created a painting specifically for the Red Cross art auction. He says he became an artist in kindergarten when a substitute teacher gave him three crayons and a piece of paper and told him to “do something with this.” Amir remembers holding the crayons in his hand and knowing he had to take his art seriously.

His Red Cross painting featured a beautiful child clutching a red box with a red cross prominently displayed.

“You know how you cherish something with all your heart? This young lady – she’s cherishing that moment and being grateful for what the Red Cross is doing globally,” he said.

Amir attended the Red Ball with his fiancée Mallorie Medley who said they always enjoy the event and love to support such a good cause.

“The Red Cross has helped millions of people, and it feels like as time goes on, the devastation seems to be greater and have a bigger impact, so it’s really impactful what the Red Cross is doing to help try to get through that.”

Guest Randolph Philpotts called the Bellevue an “amazing venue.” He had been to the hotel before, but this was his first Red Ball.

“What you guys have done inside this venue is spectacular. I’m looking forward to a really good night and it looks tremendous. You guys outdid yourselves.”

Randolph has good memories of the Red Cross from his younger days when the organization rapidly responded with help and supplies after a fire broke out in his neighborhood and quickly spread.

“We actually had the Red Cross blanket in the house for quite some time after the fact. It was very sentimental for us,” he said.

Most of the 65,000 disasters the Red Cross responds to each year are home fires.

Donations raised at the Red Ball go to support all lines of Red Cross service, like blood collection, Service to the Armed Forces and disaster preparedness and response. It also supports the Red Cross House in Philadelphia, the only one of its kind in the country. The Red Cross House provides short-term shelter, food and support to people recovering from a disaster.

Speaking to guests from the stage in front of the ballroom, Jennifer Graham, CEO for the American Red Cross in Southeastern Pennsylvania, reminded them that every dollar raised during the event will help someone in need.

“Your support of Red Ball 2025 ensures that the Red Cross will be there to help the Southeast Pennsylvania community day after day,” she said.

The Red Ball is made possible by many sponsors. In a video shown to the crowd, Dr. Rich Snyder, chief operating officer at Independence Blue Cross, a Mission Sponsor, spoke of the “kinship” his company feels with the Red Cross.

“Everyone knows that the Red Cross will be there in a crisis, for instance, following a fire, but not everyone knows that the Red Cross is out there helping to prevent fires. Our IBX Blue crew volunteers have joined the Red Cross to install free smoke alarms for those who need it.”

Meg Grant is the director of public affairs and marketing at Amerihealth Caritas, also a Mission Sponsor of the Red Ball. In a video played at the event, she said, “Amerihealth Caritas applauds the tireless work of the Red Cross in delivering help and hope for people in communities in crisis.”

Ninety percent of the Red Cross workforce is made up of volunteers who work hard to fulfill the mission of the Red Cross. Koby Langley, vice president of the Red Cross Northeast Division, recognized the many volunteers in the Red Ball audience by asking for a show of hands.

“On behalf of the entire American Red Cross team at national headquarters in Washington D.C., I’m extremely grateful to all the sponsors, all the donors, most importantly all the volunteers that are here tonight,” he said.

Two of those volunteers were a mom and daughter who have given years of service to the Red Cross. Jacqui Haar, who gave birth to her second child just weeks ago, has volunteered for 20 years. She used to be an instructor and now volunteers for the Red Ball every year. She helped with registration and directed guests on where to go during the event.

“I just like being able to see everybody all dressed up and having a good time and I get to volunteer with my mom which is also a lot of fun,” she said.

Jacqui’s mom Lisa Belgrove has volunteered for the Red Cross for more than three decades in several roles. She said she loves volunteering with her daughter at Red Ball and introduced her to volunteering for the Red Cross when Jacqui was 18 years old.

“I started volunteering teaching CPR and first aid almost 34 years ago, and now I do work for the blood department and I also do Service to the Armed Forces,” she said. Jacqui’s dad served in the Air Force for 28 years.

Stacey Hicks, who was employed as a bartender at Red Ball, looked forward to hearing the “amazing message” of the Red Cross during the night. Stacey’s mom has been a Red Cross volunteer for the past 8 or 9 years.

“I’m very excited.” Pointing to her red earrings she said, “As you can see, I’m already jazzed up and ready to go.”

It was the first Red Ball for guest Alyssa Dee, who like many of the guests came dressed in a stunning red gown, but she said it won’t be her last.

“It’s a beautiful venue. Great people. Great band. Great food. Great everything! I’m happy to be here this evening. I will come back again.”

If you’d like to support the American Red Cross visit our regional website redcross.org/philly. Here, you can make a financial donation, schedule an appointment to give blood or sign up to become a volunteer. 

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- Written by Jenny Farley