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The 88th Middletown Charity Ball will benefit a local program helping grieving parents.

The Charity Ball will give $25,000 to Atrium Medical Center's Help Endure A Loss, a perinatal bereavement program.

HEAL assists families by offering comfort and reassurance in dealing with the loss of a child, whether it be through miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal or childhood death.

"We felt like it was a worthwhile organization. It provided in a very positive way to help the community," said Frances Sack.

Each year since the first dance at the Elks Temple, formerly on Main Street in 1920, the Middletown Federation of Women's Clubs has sponsored a Charity Ball to benefit the hospital.

It has raised more than $970,000 for hospital projects.

The ball typically draws between 250 and 300 attendees, but so far this year about 40 tickets have been sold.

Sack said she and other organizers believe the economy is contributing to the slower ticket sales, but they are hopeful they will reach 250 tickets sold.

"You don't know how everybody is being affected by what's going on out on the business front," Sack said. "We're still hopeful."

The ball's gift will help HEAL reduce the risk of infant or childhood death, said Sheree Young, RNC, perinatal bereavement program coordinator.

"We are extremely grateful for this generous gift that ultimately will save lives," she said.

The ball will be in the Great Miami Room at The Manchester Inn and will include dinner and a dance, starting at 6 p.m. with cocktails and holiday music by Marilyn Ifcic in the main lobby. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Dance to music by Soul Pocket until midnight.