The Jewel Ball, the grandest, most lavish social event in the entire greater San Diego area, is about to take place. The event, traditionally held on the first Saturday in August, will be held Saturday, Aug. 7. The ladies of La Jolla’s Las Patronas, a prestigious group of prominent women, work all year to produce this major annual event. They transform the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club into a stunning party venue representing the current ball’s theme, which may be a place (like India, Paris, California, or a hot nightclub), or a concept, like this year’s “HEART+SOUL.” When the invitations arrive in late May, eager partygoers immediately RSVP, hoping to get their reservations in before it sells out. The venue accommodates 850 guests. Nobody wants to be left out of this event, with its palpable excitement, intricate décor, talented entertainers and its significant benefit to the community. “In 1946, a group of 14 women came together with a common goal: to do some good in this world while sharing friendship, fun, and camaraderie,” said Tracy Lyon, 2010 Las Patronas president. “This was the birth of Las Patronas and of the very first Jewel Ball. LP is about to celebrate their 64th birthday, as we present Jewel Ball 2010, HEART+SOUL. We couldn’t achieve our mission without the continued generosity and support of our partners in the community. Since our inception, this overwhelming support has allowed our all-volunteer group of 50 dedicated women to raise over $14 million in grants, touching the lives of nearly everyone in our county. “Each year, grant requests exceed our ability to give. Since 1946, our grants process has supported countless nonprofits in the areas of health, education, social services and the cultural arts. Along with a grant application, organizations supply LP with supporting documents for their capital need, including financial statements, proof of nonprofit status, reason for the request, and at least two bids for their requested capital item. Each and every one of our applicants is then personally interviewed on-site by a LP grant team. After a thorough review process, grant applications are presented to the LP membership, voted on, and the successful applicants are given their funding. We have no paid staff, and we absolutely love what we do.” Besides the traditional bridge over the swimming pool, décor for this black-tie event under the stars will include clear Plexiglas tables and chairs, and dramatic use of deep reds, purples and white. The featured band will be the Fabulous Thunderbirds. “HEART+SOUL is focusing on our beneficiaries who are the reason for the Ball — to raise money and awareness for our grants to these nonprofit organizations,” said 2010 Jewel Ball Chair Lise Wilson. “Of course, we love a good party too! The music will be a highlight, with four different musical acts.” “The enormous time and talent of our LP membership, combined with the dedication of our underwriters, donors, vendors and patrons, truly make the 2010 Jewel Ball the ‘HEART+SOUL’ of passion and giving to our San Diego Community,” said Co-chair Kristi Pieper. Also involved with HEART+SOUL are Las Patronas Vice President Sallie Warren, Jewel Ball Co-chair Lisa Albanez, Jewell Ball designer Kim Lee, donations Chair Sue Wagener, underwriting Chair Elaine Murphy and advertising Chair Maree Mossmer.