Click on any question to see the answer
- What is the Medallion Ball?
- Who is eligible?
- How do I get involved?
- What costs are involved?
- What is worn at the Ball?
- Who are the escorts?
- Am I expected to pay for the escort’s family?
- Can you help me find an escort?
- Where can the white gown be purchased?
- Can I borrow a gown?
- What do the guests wear?
- How do I purchase seats at the ball?
- Is the Ball or St. Lucy’s limited to Catholics?
- In order to be presented, does my mother or guardian need to be a member of St. Lucy’s?
- How much are the dues of St. Lucy’s Auxiliary?
- When are they due?
- How often and where does the Auxiliary meet?
- Will my name, address and phone number of sold or given out?
- How can I become actively involved?
- Do you have out of town members?
- What are the criteria for membership?
- Who benefits from St. Lucy’s?
Answers
1. What is the Medallion Ball?
The Medallion Ball is held annually to honor young women in at least their senior year of high school for volunteer service. The Medallion Ball is sponsored by St. Lucy’s Auxiliary to the Blind as a fundraiser.
2. Who is eligible?
To be a Medallion Candidate, a young lady must be of recognized spiritual and moral character, single, not more than 19 years of age, and at least in her senior year of high school at the time of her presentation. Although the Medallion Ball is under the patronage of the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, young women of all faiths are encouraged to participate.
To be eligible for presentation to the Bishop and to receive the Medallion, the young woman must contribute a minimum of 150 hours of volunteer community service over the course of her high school years. The hours can span over the time period between the summers after eighth grade until May 1st of their Junior Year. Each year, the young woman will be required to report their volunteer hours to the Credentials Committee. We encourage each candidate to perform a minimum of 25 hours per year in order to attain the 150 required hours of service. If the young woman does not make an effort to contribute any volunteer service each year, they will be asked to resign from the program. No volunteer hours will be considered for which any monetary compensation has been received. Hours which are performed as required community service for high school graduation credit are not eligible. Volunteer service hours must be verified by the volunteer service director of the Agency benefiting from the service. A service year shall be from June 1 to May 31.
In accepting this honor, the candidate must be willing to participate fully in the program. No awards will be presented in absentia. The Credentials Committee of St. Lucy’s Auxiliary shall be composed of five members in good standing and their decision as to each candidate’s eligibility shall be final. In the event there is a question as to acceptance of hours, it should be addressed to the Credentials Chairman. Medallion candidate nominees must be submitted to the Credentials Committee by January 1, the year of the Ball at which they plan to be presented. Volunteer service must be completed by May 1st the year of the Ball.
3. How do I get involved?
The Junior Medallion Program supports young women in their desire to become useful volunteers while making the experience enjoyable. Registration for the Program will be available to young women as of May 1st of their eighth-grade year. This assures acceptance for presentation at the Medallion Ball, assuming that the necessary requirements have been fulfilled. St. Lucy’s Auxiliary does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or creed.
4. What costs are involved?
Upon acceptance into the Junior Medallion program, the Junior Medallion Registration fee is $100 and is non-refundable. The candidate participation fee, due by August 1st of their junior year, is $500 (effective 2020) and is non-refundable. This fee covers the Ball ticket of the candidate and her escort, their flowers, the medallion, the candidate photo for the program and various events sponsored for the candidate. Tickets for the Ball for family and friends are available for purchase at the Silver Level of $325 per person, Gold Level at $400 per person, or a Joan of Arc Table at $5000 per table of ten.
5. What is worn at the ball?
Dress requirements include: a floor-length white dress, the front neckline should be modest and appropriate. No dresses are to be off-white, with halters, backless, strapless, or off the shoulder. Dresses with spaghetti straps or colored trim and evening pants are not acceptable. Shoulders must be covered and hemline should be even to the floor. Shoes must be white. Gloves are to be a white, solid fabric (no lace or net) and should be the appropriate length for the dress sleeve. Jewelry can be small earrings, small chains, or pearls; no hair adornments are acceptable. Photographs will not be accepted for the Ball program with any off-the-shoulder look. Escorts must wear the men’s formal “white tie and black tails”.
6. Who are the escorts?
Escorts are young men who are asked to participate by the candidates. They are usually a friend or relative.
7. Am I expected to pay for the escort’s family?
No, however, this is strictly up to the individuals and their discretion.
8. Can you help me find an escort?
Yes. We have a specific committee to assist in that aspect.
9. Where can the white gown be purchased?
Gowns can be purchased at a variety of places such as bridal shops.
10. Can I borrow a gown?
Absolutely, yes.
11. What do guests wear?
This is a formal, black tie function. Men are expected to be in tuxedos and women in ball gowns to the floor.
12. How do I purchase seats at the Ball?
Invitations to the ball are sent in October. Reservations are not accepted until the invitations are sent. There are three pricing levels for the seats and an entire table is not required to be purchased, except at the highest price level
13. Is the Ball or St. Lucy’s limited to Catholics?
No. St. Lucy’s does not discriminate on the base of race, color, creed, or religious affiliation. St. Lucy’s is recognized by the federal government as a 501(c)3 for tax purposes and the Medallion Ball candidates have specific eligibility criteria predominantly related to completion of volunteer hours.
14. In order to be presented, does my mother or guardian need to be a member of St. Lucy’s?
Yes, your mother or guardian is required to become a member. Some mothers are already members.
15. How much are the dues of St. Lucy’s Auxiliary?
$50 annually; you receive invitations to the functions for the year, ability to vote at the meetings and the President’s letter is sent to keep you current regarding the Auxiliary functions. Medallion Graduate Membership is $10 and is open to any girl who has recently been presented up to five years post-presentation.
16. When are they due?
Our new year begins on February 1 of each year.
17. How often and where does the Auxiliary meet?
There are two membership meetings annually and they are typically held at the Pittsburgh Field Club.
18. As a member, will my name, address and phone number be sold or given out?
No. The Auxiliary does not sell or share its membership lists.
19. As a member, how can I become actively involved?
Simply contact the President by email at president@stlucysauxiliary.org or our Administrative Assistant at contact@stlucysauxiliary.org
20. Do you have out of town members?
Yes.
21. What are the criteria for membership?
Simply an interest in donating your time and/or treasure.
22. Who benefits from St. Lucy’s?
There are two main beneficiaries: The Mission of St. Lucy’s is to promote volunteerism among young women, therefore, society in general benefits in a wide variety of services freely given by these women. Secondly, funds raise benefits the visually-impaired thorugh Blind and Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh.