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2017 American Girl Benefit Sale tickets go on sale May 3
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Jonathan Zarov, Director of Marketing 608.354.0147, 608.335.2783
Madison, Wis. — The 2017 American Girl Benefit Sale will take place July 22 and 23, 2017. This will be the 30th annual benefit sale. Proceeds benefit the American Girl Fund for Children, which in turn supports dozens of organizations working on behalf of children in Dane County, and Madison Children’s Museum.
The American Girl Benefit Sale is a unique fundraiser with deep roots in the Madison community, rich history, and a record of success. Last year’s sale raised over $900,000 and attracted over 5,000 shoppers from all over the country. Over the past 29 years, Madison Children’s Museum has restored and resold returned merchandise and overstock donated by American Girl/Mattel. The benefit sale serves as the children’s museum’s largest fundraiser and has raised approximately $23 million in that time. A dedicated corps of 150 museum volunteers work year-round to prepare for the event, with an additional 150 volunteers joining on site during the sale. More than 32,000 volunteer hours are logged annually.
“This is an amazing collaboration that would not work without the passion and dedication of American Girl/Mattel, our volunteers, and our customers,” says Deb Gilpin, president and CEO of the museum. “We’re all focused on raising funds to benefit children in our community. But the sale also has a life of its own. After nearly 30 years putting on this event, the stories and memories we hear span generations and every aspect of life.”
Those wanting to attend the sale should note the following dates and procedures:
Ticket request forms are currently available for download on the museum’s website.
May 3: Ticket request forms may be postmarked no earlier than this date. Requests are made by sending payment by check, along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Since early entry times are highly sought, ticket order forms are randomly drawn from stacks of envelopes with the same postmark date. The earliest morning entry times go to those who postmark their envelopes on — but no sooner than — May 3.
All ticket requests must be postmarked no later than June 23.
Tickets allow entry at or after the time printed on the ticket.
Ticket costs:
Saturday, all day, $8 per person
Sunday, 8 – 9 a.m. $20 per person
Sunday, after 9 a.m. free entry — free, numbered tickets will be handed out on site starting at 8 a.m.
Note: To commemorate the 30th sale, the museum filmed volunteers and customers at last year’s sale and collected their stories. Video footage and photos are available for media. Interviews can be arranged with sale volunteers and museum staff.