City of Indianola Mayor Ken Featherstone and First Lady Cheryl Featherstone hosted the Mayor’s Charity Ball that was created by First Ladies United Fellowship (FLUF) to assist and support local charities and non-profit organizations in Indianola. This is the third year the ball has been held, having already raised thousands of dollars over the last two years for area charities and organizations to benefit their efforts in the community.
“The ball was conceived as a way to give back to those who provide services, support, and assistance to our community,” said Mayor Featherstone. “Proceeds from the 2025 Mayor’s Charity Ball will be donated to support the newly erected homeless shelter and an afterschool program that is a valuable resource for public school teachers who refer their students in need of extra educational support.”
The Indianola National Guard armory was transformed into an intimate winter wonderland-themed setting by Kaye Design, along with Reggie Perryman Party Decor and Design, where guests, serenaded by Sounds of Indianola featuring M.E.L.O.W. under the direction of Music Director Jimmie Lee, enjoyed a smorgasbord of selected dishes to “Savor the Indianola Flavor” from local and participating restaurants, chefs and catering services; an exquisite arrangement of floral designs from Indianola Floral Designs; and a divine dessert station compliments of Walmart Bakery in Indianola. Students from the Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) baseball team, Communications Department, and Office of Community Service-Learning (CSL) student leadership team were servers, red carpet hosts and parking attendants for the evening under the direction of the CSL student leadership team leader, Myiesha Smith (also the currently reigning Miss Junior), and received praises for their community service work and contribution to the evening.
Along with the ball being a fundraiser, each year Mayor Featherstone and FLUF recognize the First Lady of the Year for above and beyond contributions of volunteer work and time to the Indianola community. This year, First Lady of the Year 2025, Lindell King, received the coveted and beautifully designed glass-blown peridot green leaf award and recognition. First Ladies United Fellowship, established under the Featherstone administration, has been active in the community the last four years organizing annual city initiatives and events such as the Mayor’s Charity Ball, City Employees Appreciation Week, and Indianola’s Night Out to name just a few, which are all authorized and supported by the mayor.
A special moment during the evening was when Senator Sarita Simmons and Transportation Commissioner Willie Simmons spontaneously donated $100 cash bills to add to the door prizes that were a newly added feature to the ball this year. Winning guests walked away with gift certificates donated by locally owned businesses such as (3) free car washes and detailing from K’s Mobile Wash and Detail; a 60-minute Swedish deep tissue massage from Ambitions Mobile Massage; a variety of services from soon to open in Indianola, Treasured Souls Aesthetics Salon; $100 cash; and let us not forget the 50/50 Cash Raffle that reached over $600 this year.
First Lady Cheryl Featherstone, FLUF founder, sums up the night, “The City of Indianola Mayor’s Charity Ball is indeed a party with a purpose...a ball for a cause, if you will, that delivers everything it promises with a punch from Savor the Indianola Flavor to Sounds of Indianola, the Red Carpet Fashion Walk, Top of the Hour Champagne Toasts and all the fun features throughout the night that makes this glamorous night of glitz and giving not your average ball. Special thank you to all our sponsors who made it happen for all of us and the guests who contributed by simply coming and supporting the event again for a third year. I hope to see everyone out again next year in all your elegance and splendor of black tie/formal attire as we intend to add yet another new and fun feature to the ball!”
The Sunflower County Transitional Shelter and Delta Care Hope Foundation have been making great strides in the community and will benefit greatly from the donations received from proceeds from the 2025 City of Indianola Mayor’s Charity Ball.
Contributions continue to roll in even after the ball, but so far over $10,000 has been collected. It is not too late to contribute. If you would like to donate to benefit these organizations, make checks payable to North Yalobusha Charities, Inc., which manages all accounting and dispenses proceeds from the ball to the recipients.
For more information about donating this year or becoming a sponsor next year, contact First Ladies United Fellowship at FirstLadiesUnitedFellowship@gmail.com; or (662) 635-0796.
