Photographed left to right, Billy Woodard-Smith County Imagination Library, Ashley Webster, Jerry Solimine, Melissa Hebert, Jordan Stilwell, Johnny Ray Brown- Smith County Mentorship Program, Virginia Alexander, Kristie Glover, Dr. Melanie Cripps-Carthage Family Chiropractic, Samantha Taylor
The 8th Annual River City Ball presented by Travorium and hosted at Catesa Farms was held on May 9, 2026. For the fifth year, Catesa Farms has generously hosted the event. As the event continues to grow and gain support, this year over 325 people attended the event in “La Dolce Vita” themed attire to raise funds for the beneficiary.
At the annual Smith County Chamber of Commerce banquet, on Thursday, May 28, 2026, the River City Ball Committee donated $31,000 to this year’s primary beneficiary, the Smith County Mentorship Program.
Photographed left to right, Billy Woodard-Smith County Imagination Library, Jordan Stilwell, Jerry Solimine, Virginia Alexander, Kristie Glover, Samantha Taylor, Johnny Ray Brown- Smith County Mentorship Program
The Smith County Mentorship Program is a deserving local initiative with a powerful mission. This program exists to equip our youth with the foundational principles for personal success in life. Its focus is to guide children and teens toward building strong character, developing life skills, and finding hope for their futures. Many of the children in this program come from high-risk households, facing challenges that no child should face alone. The program bridges the gap between home, school, and community, ensuring each child has consistent, caring mentors who model stability, kindness, and accountability.
Currently, the Smith County Mentorship Program serves, feeds, and mentors 20–25 elementary-aged children each week. The mentors have already seen results such as:
A reduction in negative behaviors at school Increased food stability and family connection Stronger confidence and social skills Intervention and support for breaking cycles of substance abuseWith the funds raised from the 2026 River City Ball, the program hopes to expand its elementary-age outreach, hire additional mentors, and provide more meals, activities, and resources for the children it serves. These mentors are reaching where few will—helping kids rise above stigma, generational struggles, and instability. They are shaping futures one child at a time, and we want to help them grow. The main idea is connecting potential to purpose.
Again, this year, the funds raised through the donations of Golden Tickets during the event went to a second beneficiary. This cause was chosen from the original applicants, and the local Imagination Library was the recipient of $3,400. These funds will help cover books for children from birth to five years of age who live in Smith County. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library encourages parents to be a child’s first teacher and begin building oral language skills through the books mailed directly to a child’s home. The mission is to foster a lifelong love of reading and learning and give every child an equal start in education regardless of their family’s income.
Continuing with the purpose of the River City Ball which was to improve the quality of life in Smith County, each year Carthage Family Chiropractic generously provides a $1,500 scholarship to two graduating seniors in Smith County. Applicants for the scholarship complete an essay discussing the importance of the River City Ball and the organization being sponsored. The applications are submitted to the committee anonymously and scored based on alignment and content. Scholarships were presented to Kali Underwood from Gordonsville High School and David (Joey) Wright from Smith County High School.
The River City Ball greatly appreciates all the sponsors that went into making this event possible. Please make sure to follow the event on Facebook and Instagram for the most up to date information.
If you are interested in applying to be a sponsor or the cause for 2027, please reach out to the committee through social media or at rivercityball@outlook.com
Planning for the 2027 River City Ball will begin in August and the event will be held May 8 at Catesa Farms. We hope to see you there!
GHS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT: Photographed left to right, Kali Underwood and Bethany Walton of Carthage Family Chiropractic
SCHS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT: Photographed left to right, David (Joey) Wright and Bethany Walton of Carthage Family Chiropractic
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