The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center Meets Wonderfully WICKED Gala Fundraising Goal

OZmazing Raffle winners announced!

APPLETON, WI (March 4, 2009) – With the assistance of the Fox Cities community, the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center met its Wonderfully WICKED fundraising goal, which will help the Center continue to support its mission to be a gathering place for the community where the arts come alive!

"So many people from our community got involved with Wonderfully WICKED, which made it a very successful fundraiser for the Center," said Susan Stockton, president of the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. "We really could not have raised the amount of money we did without the gracious support of members of this community. From the raffle ticket sellers, to the gala planning committee, including the students who painted gala decorations, every part of the gala was a community effort."

The Wonderfully WICKED gala and the proceeds from the raffle aided the Center in meeting its targeted fundraising goal of $200,000. Wonderfully WICKED was held during the first week of the month-long stay of the Broadway hit blockbuster WICKED. The gala welcomed thousands of people as the P.A.C. was transformed into the Land of Oz complete with the Ozian cityscape. Oversized artwork including a life sized dragon and a grand arch made of cogs carried the theme throughout the lobbies of the Center. The arts come alive that evening at the Center with the help and support of local artists, volunteers and students. Gala attendees enjoyed pre and postshow receptions with special raffles, food and drinks and a performance of WICKED.

Tickets for the OZmazing raffle were also sold to raise money to support the Center's subsidized mission-based programs like the education series and community engagement activities. Raffle tickets were sold at every WICKED performance throughout the month as well as at Community First Credit Union locations throughout the Fox Cities.

The OZmazing raffle winners were drawn on February 28 before the final performance of WICKED. The grand prize winner of the OZmazing raffle was Jeanne Berger, of Oshkosh, who won a 2008 smart car fortwo passion coupe, which was donated by Bergstrom Automotive and Community First Credit Union; first prize winner Pete Olsen, of Oshkosh, won $2,500 in fuel for any gas vehicle from Renew, which was donated by Renew fuel stations and second prize winner Sarah Wall, of Eagan, MN, won two premium Broadway season tickets for the 2009/10 season at the Fox Cities P.A.C.

Wonderfully WICKED would not have been possible without the strong support from area community members and businesses, including premier sponsor Community First Credit Union. More than 100 community members and local artists along with students from more than 15 Fox Cities area middle and high schools and area organizations came together to make the fundraising gala possible. For a complete list of sponsors, please visit foxcitiespac.com/wonderfullywicked.

The funds raised at Wonderfully WICKED and through related activities make it possible for the Center to support its mission of being a community gathering place. Each season fundraising dollars assist the Fox Cities P.A.C. in presenting world-class cultural programming to more than 20,000 students, bring preshow community engagement activities to more than 15,000 show goers and make the building accessible and affordable to local groups and nonprofit organizations.