Wonder Ball: Speakeasy on the Square raises $170,000 at September gala

September 22, 2016

Media Contact
Name: Jonathan Zarov
Title: Director of Marketing
Phone: (608) 354.0149, (608) 335-2783
Email address: jzarov@madisonchildrensmuseum.org
Photos available upon request

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

The museum’s next fundraising event is Tea & Trains, to be held at the Madison Club, Saturday, December 3.

About Madison Children’s Museum
Founded in 1980, Madison Children’s Museum offers hands-on exhibits and programs that celebrate and encourage children’s imaginations and the power of play as the cornerstone of learning. MCM is a proud recipient of the 2011 National Medal for Museum Service from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.