When people think of Enloe Charity Ball, they think of the big moment. Big 5 lined up on the stairs with the check, the roar of the crowd, and the celebration. However, none of this happens without the everyday magic created by the people behind ECB. What makes this event so special isn’t just the money we’ve raised, but the community we build, both within and outside of Enloe.
One of my favorite moments from this year was after a clothing pop-up we did with Note in the Pocket. While we were helping clean up Shawnice, a Note in the Pocket (NITP) staff member yelled, “We love Enloe People!” and showed her genuine appreciation for our help. This wasn’t scripted; it was just pure joy. These kinds of moments of hype are the core of ECB.
While walking through NITP, you can now see the volunteer wall plastered with the faces of volunteers. On the far right side, there is a photo of ECB members and a plaque that reads, ‘This wall was donated by ECB.’ It is a reminder that our impact stretches further than we can realize and is much more than one check on one night.
Every Monday, as ECB members walk through the atrium past the check wall to our meetings, they are reminded of who came before them. From one student who started the ball in 2004 to the countless who built this tradition and continued the legacy so ECB could become what it is today.
ECB has never been just a fundraiser. It is a legacy and reminder of what students can accomplish when they are alive with purpose.