Nov. 7 at 6 p.m. marks the beginning of the 16th annual Putting on the Ritz, a black tie fundraiser sponsored by the Scotland Memorial Foundation that has become a standard social event in Scotland County since its inception in 1994. Known as a professionally produced function that combines fun with a good cause, the 2009 event, called Putting on the Ritz: A Gala of Giving, will feature actor Ben Vereen as its headline attraction. Officials say $200,000 is the fundraising goal for this year's event. The fundraiser is held on the campus of Scotland Memorial Hospital.

Karen Gainey, marketing coordinator for the hospital since 1998 and a marketing assistant when the first Ritz was held, assisted at the original event. She has participated in the planning processes for many of the fundraisers that followed, and has watched the occasion expand into the premier function that it is today.

"I've seen Putting on the Ritz evolve into a first class event that offers fantastic food and great entertainment," Gainey said. "It has grown tremendously in both attendance and fundraising over the years, and that's because so much work has gone into it; there are a lot of people to thank for the success of this fundraiser."

Bill Hill of Laurinburg originated the idea to hold the black tie fundraiser.

"In 1994 I was on the executive committee for the hospital and I asked hospital group chair Wayne Evans if I could try to do something to kickstart the Scotland Memorial Foundation, which was struggling to find itself," Hill said. "The group just needed someone to bite the bullet and say let's do something big."

Hill's vision resulted in what would become one of the three most popular fundraisers in Scotland County, along with Relay for Life and the Hospice of Scotland County golf tournament. Held at Scotch Meadows Country Club in its first year on September 24, 1994, Putting on the Ritz attracted more than 330 attendees and grossed approximately $21,000. By its second year, officials knew that the Ritz was a bona fide hit after fundraising amounts increased by $10,000 to $31,000. Realizing a need for increased space, officials moved the event to the Highlands in 1996, where it remained for seven years. Since 2003 the Ritz has been held on the campus of Scotland Memorial Hospital under spacious tents in the Dulin Center parking area.

Steve Wallace, executive director of the Scotland Memorial Foundation since 2008, is moved by the "love and caring" that community members have shown in making the event grow year by year.

"I think the people of Scotland County have a lot to be proud of with the great success of Putting on the Ritz," Wallace said. "I am honored to be a part of the legacy that this wonderfully exceptional event has become."

One of the unique features of the annual Ritz has been its creative themes. Designed for the first several years by Scotland Memorial Foundation member Kyle Bethel and a team of volunteers, the growth of the event soon called for the utilization of a professional decorator. Bethel recalled the hard work of dedicated individuals in making the unique themes of the Ritz come to life.

"It was truly a labor of love, and we worked hard in setting up the different themes for each Ritz," Bethel said. "As the event grew over the years we saw that we needed to turn it over to a professional decorator in order to setup for an increasing number of guests. It was great, though; we got the Ritz going with a beautiful bang."

Themes utilized in the early years of the Putting on the Ritz included "On the Orient Express" in 1996, "In Hollywood" in 1997, and "On the High Seas" in 1998.

This year's Putting on the Ritz will feature several new elements, including some cosmetic changes in order to make this year's gala "the best ever", according to Ritz Co-chairman Guy McCook.

"Our tent is new and improved this year, and we're adding dazzling chandeliers and custom draping, glass paneled windows, and upgraded seating to the inside of the ballroom," McCook said. "A fabulous dessert room off the main ballroom will be filled with mouth-watering treats. We're also adding waitstaff to stroll through the ballroom and serve wine to our guests, and to complement our silent auction we're adding a live auction that will feature spectacular items and vacation package deals."

Amid the fun and festivities of the event, Gainey reminds everyone of the real reason people gather for the occasion.

"One of the main things we want the community to know is that while Putting on the Ritz: A Gala of Giving is a fun, black tie event, it is also a fundraiser," Gainey said. "The food is great, the entertainment is great, but it is really all about making money to address the community's needs."

Bethel agreed.

"We used to have a theme each year, but the number one theme of Putting on the Ritz is giving," she said. "That's how we want people to see the event: it truly is a gala of giving."

Putting on the Ritz is sponsored by the Scotland Memorial Foundation each November. Proceeds from The Ritz funds programs such as annual mammograms for women at the Scotland County Community Free Clinic, personal items for cancer patients so they can live a more dignified life, financial assistance for prescriptions for cancer patients, scholarships for high school seniors pursuing a collegiate course of study in the medical profession, and free sports physicals for middle and high school students.

Due to the large number of reservations already received for this year's event, Foundation officials have increased the tent size to 14,800 square feet in order to accommodate guests.

"We have 553 tickets sold, and will have space for a total of 600," Wallace said. "There is still a week and a half remaining to register, but spaces are filling up quickly."

Tickets are $200 per person or $400 per couple. A table for eight may be purchased for $2,000, which guarantees seating for four couples at the same table. To purchase tickets call the Scotland Memorial Foundation at 291-7551 or visit www.scotlandhealth.org and click the Foundation link.

"The Scotland Memorial Foundation continues to do good work," Hill said in response to how he views the growth of the Ritz following his initial idea 16 years ago. "When an organization does good things, people don't mind giving."