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Twin Cedars’ annual Behind the Mask ball held Saturday was a great success for the children and families’ organization.

At the beginning of the Mardi Gras-themed night, Twin Cedars was short only $1,108 of its $125,000 goal. By the time the event ended, a total of $123,892 had been raised, with the Royal Court bringing in $106,000 of that total.

The raised amount will be used to fund the organizations that operate under Twin Cedars, said Sheri Cody, executive director of Twin Cedars. Twin Cedars is a nonprofit organization based out of Georgia and Alabama that helps the youth with a variety of topics such as providing quality of care to victims of abuse and neglect. The programs range from prevention, advocacy and oversight on residential programs.

The event was limited during the last two years due to the pandemic. In 2021, Twin Cedars outright decided not to have it due to continuing COVID precautions. However, the wait only seemed to entice the public more to participate.

“Because we had a year off, the mood is that everybody is so glad it’s back,” Cody said. “They’re ready to have some fun, and they’re glad to be celebrating.”

The sold-out ball featured Mardi Gras-reminiscent hors d’oeuvres and a special singing competition similar to that of FOX’s The Masked Singer judged by Quay Boddie, Maggie Blaedow and Carol Cain under the guise of French aristocrat Marquis de Lafayette. During the ball’s main event, two individuals of the 12-member royal court, Alex Beall and LaRhonda Elaine Bailey, took home the crown for their fundraising contributions. The 2022 Royal Court was composed of Zack Britt, Coleman Foss, Lonnie Thornton, Nigel Walker, Alex Beall, De’sa Fuller, Jenna Eady, Angelia Laws, Larhonda Bailey, Kendall Butler, Tiffany Lowery and Avery Britt. The other members of the court were titled dukes and dutchesses for their contributions.