Contact: Harriet Laird
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Those who want to make a tradition out of helping the state's children can begin Nov. 26 at the first Mississippi KIDS COUNT Egg Ball.
Join others who want not only to celebrate the century-old rivalry of the Egg Bowl, but also want to improve the lives of Mississippi's young people, families and communities through support of the KIDS COUNT program at Mississippi State University. Mississippi KIDS COUNT is the leading resource for comprehensive research and information on the state's children and is a catalyst for enhancing positive outcomes in their lives.
Event organizers have scheduled a night in the Club Level of Davis Wade Stadium filled with entertainment by The King Beez of Memphis, heavy hors d'oeuvres, and both silent and live auctions. Event time is 8 p.m. to midnight.
Linda H. Southward, Mississippi KIDS COUNT director and research professor in the MSU Social Science Research Center, said there are two ways to enjoy this year's Egg Ball.
"Individual tickets are $60, and then we also have a special $100 offer which includes the Egg Ball, along with a bus ticket to Oxford the next day for the Egg Bowl and a boxed lunch," Southward explained.
She said MSU fans attending the Nov. 26 men's basketball game at 6 p.m. also are encouraged to come directly to the Egg Ball, as the attire for the event is casual.
Celebrity items and vacation packages will be the main attraction at the silent and live auctions, according to Southward. Going to the highest bidder will be a getaway package to Beaver Creek, Colo., a Spring break trip to Destin, Fla., plus two more beach packages, dinner with MSU coaches, and cowbells signed by a variety of MSU "stars" and national celebrities, including Robin Roberts, Gary Sinise and Sela Ward.
Local pottery, luggage, children's clothing, and a trip to New York to see Starkville's own Travis Outlaw in a New Jersey Nets game are also up for grabs. An overnight adult/child quail and rabbit hunt and two tickets to the MSU bowl game will be highlights.
An online site, eggballauction.com, featuring nine select auction packages is open for bids through 11 p.m. on Nov. 25.
Funded in part by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Mississippi KIDS COUNT operates under the Mississippi State SSRC Family and Children Research Unit, investigating issues that affect the health, safety and well-being of children and families.
"Mississippi State is proud to be the home of Mississippi KIDS COUNT," said the university's first lady Rhonda Keenum. "I see firsthand the significant contributions made on behalf of the state's children and am excited to be a part of this new tradition, bringing alumni and friends together to lift up our kids in such a unique way."
Tickets are available for purchase at eggball.eventbrite.com. For more information, call 662-325-1590.