23rd Annual Black-N-Blue Ball Aims to Raise $1 Million To Help Fight Muscular Dystrophy
MILWAUKEE, Wis. (PRWEB) May 11, 2016 -- More than 1,300 business, community and civic leaders are putting their muscle behind raising critical funds to save and improve the lives of kids and adults with muscular dystrophy, ALS and related life-threatening diseases that severely weaken muscle strength and mobility. Together with presenting sponsor Harley-Davidson Motor Company, MDA Southern Wisconsin will host the 23rd Annual Black-N-Blue Ball on Friday, May 20. The popular charitable gala continues to grow and this year; it is hoping to raise $1 Million through sponsorship, auctions and attractions.
"Every year, the Black-N-Blue ball brings the community together to help raise significant funds that will help MDA provide its families with the critical resources they need to live longer and grow stronger,” says Event Chairman Bob Buerger of The PrivateBank. “Last year we netted just over $915,000, and with increased sponsorship support and hundreds of one-of-a-kind auction items and exclusive experiences, we feel confident that this will be the year that we raise $1 million."
The high-energy social event encourages guests to don their finest “black” leather and “blue” denim to fit with the motorcycle theme and will be held at the Wisconsin Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave., from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. Guests will enjoy a night complete with live and silent auctions, a raffle for a 2016 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, fine dining, live entertainment, a craft beer and wine pull, and more, all while raising critical funds and awareness to help kids and adults living with muscular dystrophy live longer and grow stronger. With the support of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the Black-N-Blue Ball has raised more than $9 million over the past 22 years to help support MDA’s vital work in our community.
MDA will present the inaugural Personal Freedom award to Willie G. Davidson for his dedication and contributions to the organization. Jann Carl, best known for her 14 years at Entertainment Tonight, will serve as the emcee for the evening and MDA’s newly appointed National Goodwill Ambassador, Joe Akmakjian, 24, will also attend. As a testament to the progress that MDA has made over the past 60 years in accelerating treatments and cures, Akmakjian, who has doubled his life expectancy since being diagnosed with Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) as an infant, is the first young adult that MDA has featured as a National Goodwill Ambassador.
A dedicated Steering Committee of local executives helps solicit and donate sponsorship dollars and auction items to make the event possible. This year's top sponsors include: Harley-Davidson Motor Company, CITGO Petroleum Corporation, DCI Artform, GS, MacLean-Fogg Component Solutions, syncreon, ATEK Metal Technologies, JW Speaker Corporation, American Showa, Inc., BMO Harris Bank, Crane Freight & Cartage, Delphi, Fabick Cat, Foley & Lardner LLP, Gates Corporation, Jason Industries, Kadena Sportswear, KPMG LLP, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, Quarles & Brady LLP, Schaeffler Group USA Inc., Tenneco, Inc. The Anderson Group, Inc. and UPS.
For more information about the Black-N-Blue Ball or MDA’s local services, please contact Jenna Renno at 262-432-7992 or jrenno(at)mdausa.org. Event details can be found at http://www.milwaukeeblack-n-blueball.com.
About MDA
MDA is leading the fight to free individuals — and the families who love them — from the harm of muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases that take away physical strength, independence and life. We use our collective strength to help kids and adults live longer and grow stronger by finding research breakthroughs across diseases; caring for individuals from day one; and empowering families with services and support in hometowns across America.
Learn how you can fund cures, find care and champion the cause at mda.org.
Claire Orphan, Muscular Dystrophy Association, +1 312-260-5928, [email protected]
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