STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Camp Rainbow Gold’s Share Your Heart Ball returns to Sun Valley after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

This year’s ball, which has always been considered one of the valley’s best charity events, will be held at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, in the Sun Valley Inn’s Limelight Ballroom.

As in the past, there will be plenty of fun camplike activities at the ball, including a chance to join camp volunteer Hailey Chief of Police Steve England for a “Banana Split” and an opportunity to see “Campers Say the Darndest Things” presented by Share Your Heart Ball Co-Founder Kris Nardecchia.

There also will be a presentation by Paula Shaffer titled “Our Family’s Journey,” a live auction and dancing to No Limits. The band churns out high-energy dance hits covering all genres including classic rock, funk, country and pop with in-sync dance routines and flashy costumes

This year’s ball celebrates 40 years of summer camp for children with cancer, as well as its many spin-offs.

“For 40 years, Camp Rainbow Gold has provided laughter around campfires, outdoor adventures, lifelong friends, and endless camp memories to Idaho children diagnosed with cancer and their families,” said Elizabeth Lizberg, Camp Rainbow Gold CEO/Executive Director. “(It’s a) Legacy of Love, and we invite (all)  to celebrate the history of our programs and commemorate this incredible milestone together at the Share Your Heart Ball.”

Camp Rainbow Gold started with a Twin Falls doctor who recognized that children with cancer couldn’t join their peers at summer camp. Free weeklong camps are held for children with cancer and their siblings. Camp Rainbow Gold also offers weekend family camps, college scholarships and special events  in Boise.

Camp was held until recently at Cathedral Pines north of Ketchum. Camp Rainbow Gold now has its own permanent camp near Fairfield, which it plans to share with other medical groups.

“It is because of this gala’s guests, donors, and supporters that Camp Rainbow Gold has grown over the past four decades from a week of camp to year-round programs that include five camps, teen support groups, college scholarships and other events across the state of Idaho dedicated to supporting children diagnosed with cancer and their families,” Lizberg said.

For tickets or sponsorships, visit www.shareyourheartball.org. Email the organization at  info@camprainbowgold.org or call 208-928-7820.