Wonder Ball: Speakeasy on the Square raises $170,000 at September gala
Prohibition-themed gala exceeds financial goals; provides support for the museum’s access programs, exhibits and daily programming MADISON, Wis. (September 22, 2016) — The 2016 Wonder Ball: Speakeasy on the Square, held September 9 at Madison Children’s Museum, raised $170,000. Approximately 250 guests attended. It was one of the most successful Wonder Balls to date. This year’s prohibition theme saw guests arriving in classic 1920s fashion and using a password (pssst: it’s “The Bee’s Knees”) to enter through a “shoe shop” created at the museum’s side door. Once inside, guests hit the gaming tables, enjoyed delicious, period-inspired food from Heritage Catering, and sipped authentic cocktails provided by The Roman Candle Catering.
A thrilling Houdini escape by James the Magician, assisted by Police Chief Koval, provided a dramatic highlight.
“Wow, what a Wonder Ball!” said Peggy Pyle, chair of the Wonder Ball committee and the MCM board of directors. “It surpassed our goals for revenue; it surpassed our expectations for fun. Everyone dressed the part for the Speakeasy theme and had a great time. We are so grateful for our guests’ generosity. Their support helps make essential play and learning experiences at MCM available for every child in our community.”
PRESENTING SPONSOR Peggy & Tom Pyle
TITLE SPONSORS Lau & Bea Christensen CUNA Mutual Group JPMorgan Chase & Co. Sub Zero and Wolf Appliance Co. MAJOR SPONSORS American Girl EVCO Plastics EXL Service The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co. Neider & Boucher, S.C. SVA Certified Public Accountants University Research Park UW Health/American Family Children’s Hospital Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation Woodman’s Markets
SUPPORTING SPONSORS Alliant Energy BMO Harris Bank Boardman & Clark LLP Event Essentials Katharine Gansner & Friends Gristle Catering Group Health Cooperative Hooper Foundation and General Heating & Air Conditioning Iconica J.H. Findorff & Son Inc. Kelly Financial Services Darcy Kind & Marc Vitale Ron & Deborah Krantz Lind Ruhland LLC The Madison Concourse Hotel & Governor’s Club Madison Gas & Electric Nicholson & Gansner, S.C. Thysse Printing Service Triumph Wealth Management US Bank
CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS Culver’s VIP Foundation Eisenberg Law Offices Isthmus Partners Lisa Lange & Jeffrey Johnson and Loan & Brian Rathgeber MCD, Inc. National Guardian Life Insurance Company The QTI Group Select Publishing, Inc. Andrew & Carlene Ziegler
MEDIA PARTNERS BRAVA Magazine Isthmus Publishing Company Magic 98
BAR SPONSOR The Roman Candle Catering & Bar Service
