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Black and Blue Ball

PLAINS TOWNSHIP — Dressed in their black and blue, nearly 500 people dined and danced the night away at the Woodlands in Plains Township near Wilkes-Barre...

PLAINS TOWNSHIP -- Dressed in their black and blue, nearly 500 people dined and danced the night away at the Woodlands in Plains Township near Wilkes-Barre.

The annual Black and Blue Ball is the single biggest fundraiser of the year for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

"This is extremely important to us, it funds about a quarter of our budget for the year so that's why it's so important. This is our 13th year, and when we started out there were only about 50 people here," said Heather Schield, MDA executive director.

WNEP's own Don Jacobs emceed the event, with live and silent auctions and raffles too.

The proceeds all go to help children and adults affected by neuromuscular diseases, providing services like clinic visits and summer camps for kids like 11 year old Carlee Weber of Williamsport.

"It's really fun, and it's special for kids like me because if you an do something the exact way they make it easy. My favorite part was meeting other kids like me because I don't know a lot of other kids like me," said Weber.

Many of those at the ball come every year to volunteer their time for the MDA or just enjoy themselves

They make a tradition of supporting the cause.

"This is my fourth year. I started out just coming as a volunteer and then I roped my son into coming with me, and I do it because it's fun," said Rosanne Griffin, MDA volunteer.

Organizers said planning the event, which gets bigger each year, takes months. They plan to start thinking about next year’s ball right away.

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