Nearly 800 guests — clad in tuxedos and gowns — stepped into the Rio de Janeiro-themed 35th annual St. Joe’s Holiday Ball - Rio! on Saturday night to raise money for the hospital's pediatric unit.

Organizers say $860,000 was raised — surpassing the fundraising goal of $750,000 to benefit the patient towers project at St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor.

“We are in awe of the outpouring of support we’ve seen from the community,” Kristin Casalou, co-chair of this year’s Holiday Ball and wife of Rob Casalou, president and CEO of St. Joseph Mercy Hospitals, said in a statement.

Sal Jafar and Maha Hussain of Ann Arbor start the night off with a dance at Rio!, the 35th annual St. Joe's Holiday Ball. The festive Brazilian-themed event was held at the Eastern Michigan University Convocation Center in Ypsilanti and raised $860,000 for St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor.

Sarah A. Miller | For AnnArbor.com

Barbara W. Faja, who also served as co-chair of the event, said it represents "a community coming together, standing behind their hospital.'' She is the wife of Garry C. Faja, president and CEO of Saint Joseph Mercy Health System.

The Ferrantino Family Pediatrics and Women’s Surgery Unit is located on the third floor of St. Joe’s East Tower. It is housed in the Ted and Jane Von Voigtlander Center for Women and Children, which spans the entire third floor of the hospital’s inpatient facility, including the new East and North Towers, Family Birth Center and NICU.

The holiday ball was held at Eastern Michigan University’s Convocation Center Atrium. Opus One served food of a Brazilian flare, and the sounds of Intrigue kept guests dancing.

Organizers say about 130 volunteers worked since January planning this year's ball.