Due to unforeseen circumstances, the annual Mayors of the Black Belt Charity Ball, originally scheduled for Friday, is postponed until October.

Jakki Phillips of the Black Belt Branch of the American Red Cross said organizers are still looking at dates to host the ball, which benefits the American Red Cross.

“We haven’t set a date yet, but we’re looking at the month of October,” Phillips said. “We’re not sure of the theme yet either, we’re going to discuss that at our board meeting July 23.”

And although the date may have changed, Phillips said the money will still benefit the disaster relief program of the American Red Cross and she still encourages residents to come out in full support.

“We certainly hope that the community understands that some things are out of our control, and we appreciate their understanding in this matter,” she said.

The Black Belt branch of the American Red Cross includes Dallas, Morengo, Perry and Wilcox counties. Providing basic necessities of food, shelter, recovery supplies and physical and mental services, Phillips said the American Red Cross works hard to provide relief to those in need.

“We really need the community to support the efforts of the American Red Cross to help people recover when they need assistance,” Marilyn Simpson, Alabama Central Region Disaster Services volunteer said.

The goal this year, Simpson said, is to raise $150,000, which will strengthen the local Red Cross and its capacity to respond in the greatest hour of need to local disaster victims. In total, the Black Belt Branch has given more than $40,000 for fire, flood and tornado disaster assistance since July 1, 2012.

For more information on the Black Belt Branch of American Red Cross, call 874-4641.