SOCIETY CALENDAR

39TH ANNUAL MERIDIAN BALL

Meridian International Center's largest annual fundraising event supports educational and cultural programs that focus on exchange programs, seminars and art exhibitions. The evening begins with dinners hosted by ambassadors at their residences followed by dessert and dancing at Meridian House. 9:30 p.m.; $500; Meridian House; black-tie; Contact Leonor Chiarella at 202-939-5574 or email lchiarel@meridian.org.

HELEN HAYES AWARDS BENEFIT AUCTION

Spectacular bargains on exotic trips, exclusive treasures and elite services to benefit Helen Hayes Awards' education and audience development programs. 6 p.m.; $250; Four Seasons Hotel; black-tie; Contact Joy Johnson at 202-337-4572.

^rCAPITAL HOSPICE PASSION FOR CARING GALA

Auction, dinner, entertainment by Second City and dancing with Big Ray and the Kool Kats to benefit the Patient Care fund. 6:30 p.m. to midnight; $350; National Building Museum; black-tie; Contact Carol Kennedy at 703-531-6216 or email ckennedy@capitalhospice.org

REPORTERS COMMITTEE FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS GALA

The event features a cocktail reception followed by a seated dinner and an awards presentation. RCFP is an organization dedicated to protecting the First Amendment interests of the news media. 6:30 p.m. reception; 7:30 p.m. dinner; $500; Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium; business attire; Contact Brenda Zimmerman at 202-636-8743.

NOVEMBER

LOMBARDI GALA
The Lombardi Gala benefits cancer research, education and treatment at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University. 6 p.m. silent auction and cocktail reception; 8 p.m. dinner, awards, raffle, live auction and dancing; $400; Washington Hilton and Towers; black-tie; Email Bonnie Roberts at robertsb@georgetown.edu.

THE SIBLEY CANCER CENTER BENEFIT

Andrea Roane, anchor for WUSA9, will emcee at this "Celebration of Hope and Progress." 2007 honorees and special guests include Her Majesty Farah Pahlavi and Nancy G. Brinker, founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. 8 p.m.; $350; Four Seasons Hotel; black-tie; Contact Fern J. Stone at 202-537-4257.

BREATH OF LIFE GALA
An evening of surprises emceed by 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley. For the second year in a row, this event will stage Club Breathe, a special nightclub setting with live entertainment. 6:30 p.m. dinner; 10:30 p.m. entertainment; $1,500; National Building Museum; black-tie; Email lyalich@cff.org.

FIGHT NIGHT
Fight For Children's annual event features professional boxers and other sports legends as well as top-notch entertainment. Proceeds support education and health care services for young people and families in the Washington area. 6:30 p.m. cocktail reception and silent auction; 7:30 p.m. dinner; 9:30 p.m. professional boxing, live auction and raffle; $1,000; Washington Hilton and Towers; black-tie; Contact Liz Warnecki at 202-772-0416.