Rocking chairs, reclining chairs, lawn chairs: you can learn a lot about a space — and the people in it — by the chairs it contains. For generations, chairs have meant more to society than just a place to sit. They represent everything from social status to hierarchy to punishment. At the Blue Jean Ball and Chair-ity Auction, chairs take on an entirely different meaning. The chairs at this event represent community and hope. For six years this informal charity auction has raised money to benefit the Child Advocacy Center and the abused children of our community by auctioning beautifully hand-decorated chairs.

There will be 30 chairs available at the auction this year. Each one is unique and hand-decorated by local artists. Roberta Humphries the executive director of the Child Advocacy center explains the chairs by saying, “It’s all local people, artists or just people who are artistic and enjoy painting different things. There are all different kinds of chairs to be auctioned as well; there are wooden children’s chairs, adult chairs, rocking chairs, metal garden chairs and even a kid’s table.”

Chairs are not the only things that will be auctioned at the chair-ity fundraiser. Through many generous donations from community members, the auction will have many quality items available for bidding. “Our other items available are spa packages, restaurant gift certificates, jewelry and beautiful designer purses that have been donated for bidding. We have a lot of different items that will be in the auction,” Humphries says.

While the auction is undoubtedly the center of the ball, it is far from all the event has to offer. “We have separate parties for adults, and there is a party in another room at Highland Country Club for youths between the fifth through eighth grades. For kids there is a DJ, so there will be dancing. There will be face painting and food that the kids like,” said Humphries.

In the adult area there will be a live band — Toucan Jam will perform. There will also be the silent auction going on with both the hand painted chairs and other items that are available for bidding. Then there will be a photo booth for everybody, so that adults and kids can get a souvenir photo taken for the evening.

The most important part of this ball is not the fun and exciting activities for both children and adults — or the beautiful hand-painted chairs — but the funds raised to help the community’s children. For Humphries the most rewarding part of being involved in this event is, “knowing that the money raised goes to help child victims in our community to help them heal and hopefully have a better future.”

Tickets cost $60 for adults and $30 for youth. They are available for purchase at Holmes Fine Gifts, the Pilgrim and Grapes and Hops. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.childadvocacycenter.com or by calling (910) 486-9700. The ball is schedulds for Oct. 6, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Highland Country Club, 1105 Highland Country Club Dr.