Camp Rainbow Gold to host 17th annual Share Your Heart Ball
BY DANA DUGAN
What were you doing in 2003? Kris Nardeccia (Cronin) and Rob Cronin were busy planning a super event, one that would continue through the decades. At the time, no one could predict the future. The first Share Your Heart Ball, held at the indoor Sun Valley Ice Rink, was a whim. It was organized by utilizing every friend and network situation possible, all to benefit the foundering Camp Rainbow Gold.
The camp, held annually for a week each summer for Idaho children diagnosed with cancer, was struggling to meet the needs of the bourgeoning number of potential campers.
The original ball was a huge success and raised enough money to support the camp for the upcoming year and began a tradition that lasts to this day.
To be held Saturday, Feb. 16, beginning at 5 p.m. in the Limelight Room of the Sun Valley Inn, the Share Your Heart Ball will include a cocktail hour, camp games such as archery and putt-putt golf, a silent and live auction, live music and dancing to No Limits, and a great deal of warm, fuzzy feelings.
“It’s the 17th annual—my teenager,” said Nardeccia, ball co-founder and chair, by phone in California where she now lives. “It’s my eternal blessing, my favorite thing.”
The theme this year is “Beyond,” Nardeccia said. “When you go beyond camp, it’s an endless hug. So much is an extension of what we do—it’s the vehicle that allows us to go beyond the camp itself, whether it’s the emotional support, the barbecue in the summer, the Christmas party, survivors’ groups, college scholarships, or one of our programs. Share Your Heart has made that possible.”
Nardeccia assured this year will be “wonderful,” as always.
“We have big live auctions, lots of travel and getaways,” she said. “There’s a house in Sweden on the water for six people; a place at a resort in Mexico; a stay at the Villa Margherita in Cortona, Italy, for eight people; and an overnight in a cabin at Pettit Lake that will be catered by Rasberries, with a White Otter rafting trip.”
The cherry on that trip will be a midnight boat cruise on Pettit Lake with a representative of Idaho’s Dark Sky Reserve to stargaze. Another special item for the live auction will be a donation by Adam West’s family of one his original pieces of art, called “Mad Hatter.”
As well, the live auction will include an apartment in Paris donated by Hailey residents Anna and Eric Mathieu.
The Mathieus’ son, Luca, 14, was diagnosed with an astrocytoma brain tumor just a year ago, and the family attended Camp Rainbow Gold’s family camp at Cathedral of the Pines in October.
“It was a little overwhelming circumstances,” Anna Mathieu said. “It was a great opportunity to talk to people going through the same situation. We’re immensely grateful for Camp Rainbow Gold and the amazing people who come together to make it happen.”
“I realized people had it worse than me,” Luca said. “It was fun. We played a lot of games together, like archery, golfing, team-building challenges and lots of different stuff.”
The Mathieus have both volunteered at Share Your Heart in the past and have also been patrons.
“We want to contribute where we can,” Anna said. “We donated our apartment near Paris many years ago to other benefits, and were able to donate it again. It’s a great spot.”
Nardeccia called this a “continuous circle of love and support,” like a hug.
“It’s all of a piece,” she said. “I never worry about the magic of camp or the evening. Without fail, it organically happens.”
There will also be an extensive silent auction, and a “wonderful group of sponsors and supporters, like in-kind sponsor 44 North Vodka, which will serve a signature cocktail for the night,” Nardeccia said. “It’s just one miracle after another.”
For Share Your Heart Ball tickets, visit shareyourheartball.org, email info@camprainbowgold.org or call (208) 928-7820.