Celebrating the People Behind the Beloved Mistletoe Ball
For one night each November, the Mistletoe Ball brings hundreds of people together to celebrate the start of the Christmas season and to support care at St. Paul’s Hospital.
Guests arrive dressed in black tie suits and gowns, settle in for a five-course meal, enjoy drinks and live music, dances between courses and make their way, inevitably, to the much-talked-about dessert bar. There are no auctions, raffles or additional fundraising asks throughout the evening. The ticket is the contribution, leaving guests free to enjoy the night and the knowledge that they are supporting care in their community.
What guests may not see is the work that goes into creating that experience.
Now in its 37th year, the Mistletoe Ball is organized by a 12-member committee, of which 10 are volunteers, currently chaired by Doreen Howlett. Starting in January each year, the committee works behind the scenes to bring the evening together, from planning and decorating to working with event partners and making sure every detail is ready when guests arrive.
For Pamela Hanus, who joined the committee this year, one of the first things she noticed was how much experience and organization sits behind the event.
“They’re exceptionally organized and they have their protocols in place,” Pamela says. “There’s a lot of years of experience on the event, too, and that’s something to recognize.”
Pamela has attended the Mistletoe Ball for several years with her partner, Barry Woytowich, who has long supported St. Paul’s Hospital. Doreen invited her to join the committee this year, giving her a chance to see the work behind an event she had already come to love.
She has seen volunteers come together for work bees, including making decorations and preparing for the evening. After joining partway through this year’s planning, she is looking forward to being involved earlier next year and seeing even more of what goes on behind the scenes.
“There’s a lot of work,” she says.
Giving Back to the Community
Each volunteer brings their own reasons for being part of the Mistletoe Ball.
Laurie Thomas joined the committee this year after attending the Ball last year. She had been involved with the event previously and says Doreen’s invitation gave her another opportunity to contribute to a community that has meant a great deal to her family.
Sadly, Laurie’s son, Evan Thomas, was among the Humboldt Broncos players killed in the 2018 bus crash. In the years since, Laurie and her family have looked for ways to give back to Saskatoon and support health care in the community, including to the hospitals and programs that were important to families affected by the crash.
“For my family, Saskatoon was really good to us after the accident,” Laurie says. “Now I give back.”
For Laurie, volunteering is part of that commitment. Sometimes, she says, giving back simply means showing up.
And the Mistletoe Ball is an evening she is happy to show up for.
“It’s just a really lovely evening,” she says. “It’s such a memorable evening, people coming together towards a cause that is close to everyone’s heart. It’s a chance to get out and dress up.”
Rewarding and Fun
The committee members are also guests at the Ball themselves. Like everyone else, volunteers purchase their own tickets and come ready to enjoy the evening.
Pamela says part of what makes the Ball stand out from other fundraising events is the value you get for the ticket and that you leave your wallet at home.
“There’s no silent auction, there’s no raffle, no bombardment of fundraising,” Pamela says. “It’s just one price for the ticket and an evening full of entertainment with no pressure to spend additional funds.”
For Pamela, that balance of celebration and purpose is part of the Ball’s appeal. She especially appreciates that the money raised supports a specific area of care.
“It’s rewarding knowing that the fun we had contributed to a wonderful cause,” she says.
This year, early donations from the Mistletoe Ball helped St. Paul’s Hospital & Foundation reach its fundraising goal for the new Interventional Radiology suite. Remaining funds raised will support the Heart of St. Paul’s holistic care for the body, mind and soul, including Healing Arts and Spiritual Care programs at the Hospital.
That connection between a joyful evening and meaningful community impact is what keeps volunteers coming back.
This year, Laurie, Pamela and fellow new committee member Larissa Katsiris are joining the long-standing group of volunteers helping carry the Mistletoe Ball tradition forward.
For Laurie, the anticipation has already begun.
“I just love the whole theme, and I can’t wait to wear a gown,” she says. “I love to dance.”
Be a Part of Something Beautiful
On November 14, the 37th Mistletoe Ball will once again bring the community together for an evening of celebration, connection and giving.
Tickets are available now at https://trellis.org/mistletoeball.