The Pabst Theater Group Raises $60,000 for Local Charities

The Pabst Theater Group is thrilled to announce that $60,000 was raised through the sale of historic Pabst Theater chairs, with Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Center (MADACC) and ArtWorks for Milwaukee both receiving a donation of $30,000. In honor of its 20^th Anniversary and in partnership with Associated Bank, the Pabst Theater Group sold over 100 pairs of Pabst Theater chairs that were recently replaced.

“When theaters replace their chairs, they are almost always simply thrown away,” said Gary Witt, President & CEO of the Pabst Theater Group. “Out with the old and in with the new. But we had other plans, because these were not just seats. These theater seats have played a role in the rebirth of the Pabst Theater and they’ve witnessed magical performances over the last 20+ years. And, because we are a Milwaukee business, we knew that these historic seats could continue to do good in Milwaukee. We’re proud to know that buyers now hold a personal piece of a National Historic Landmark in their living rooms, home theaters and offices and – together – we’re able to financially support the amazing work that MADACC and ArtWorks for Milwaukee does to help animals and students in the city that we love.”

The Pabst Theater Group has been a long-time supporter of MADACC and has donated over $62,000 to the organization to date for their efforts to rescue and rehabilitate thousands of mistreated and stray animals annually. “To be included in an event so special and to be the co-recipient of such generosity is truly an honor for MADACC,” said Karen Sparapani, Executive Director for MADACC. “The Pabst Theater Group and MADACC have long been aligned in working to address social justice and animal welfare issues knowing that together we can do so much more for the community that needs us. Especially for the animals in the community and the people who love and care about them and for the next generation of artists and creative minds who will take over this job for us someday.”

ArtWorks for Milwaukee is a new beneficiary, introduced to the Pabst Theater Group through Associated Bank and recognized for providing area high school students job training and paid internships in the arts. “We are thrilled to be a recipient of proceeds from the Pabst Theater Group’s Chairs for Charity sale,” said Terry Murphy, Executive Director for ArtWorks for Milwaukee. “Our teen interns build confidence and transferable job skills through community-based art projects that are the foundation of our internships. This tremendous donation will go a long way in ArtWorks’ ability to offer Milwaukee high school students paid work experience in the arts.”

“Associated Bank is proud to play an active role in helping our communities grow and prosper and this event, in partnership with the Pabst Theater Group, is a great example of how we do that,” said LaDonna Reed, Senior Vice President, Director of Community Accountability, Associated Bank. “Through ArtWorks, we are committed to helping high school students acquire transferable career skills through valuable art internships that will serve them in the future and make a positive difference in our community.”

About Pabst Theater Group
The Pabst Theater Group hosts over 700 live events annually at its six core venues, the Pabst Theater, the Riverside Theater, Miller High Life Theatre, Turner Hall Ballroom, The Fitzgerald and the Back Room @ Colectivo (in partnership with Colectivo Coffee). Additionally, the group hosts shows at the Fiserv Forum, UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena and Bradley Symphony Center. The Pabst Theater Group has a financial impact on the city exceeding $250 million and spends $1.3 million in marketing annually, helping to build community, loyalty and reinforce identity and heritage for Milwaukee while employing a total of 350 full and part-time staff. www.pabsttheatergroup.com

About Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Center (MADACC)

The Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission (MADACC) currently rescues and assures safe, temporary shelter, veterinary and humane care for nearly 10,000 stray, unwanted, abandoned, mistreated and injured animals each year — more than any other animal control shelter in Wisconsin.  MADACC provides a central location for owners to find and recover their lost pets at 3839 W. Burnham St. in West Milwaukee. For more information call (414) 649-8640 or visit the MADACC website at www.madacc.org. MADACC is open to the public 7 days a week.

About ArtWorks for Milwaukee

ArtWorks for Milwaukee is a youth career-readiness organization that has been building soft skills of Milwaukee high school students, primarily youth of color, through paid arts internships since 2001. ArtWorks offers high school students the unique opportunity to interact with a diverse group of peers, professional artists, and community leaders from across the city while building skills that will contribute to their success well into adulthood. Through either an environmental arts internship or a graphic design internship, students receive 315 hours of training while acquiring essential career skills that employers have identified as critical to their success, such as problem solving, communication, public speaking, and decision making. For more information about ArtWorks, visit ArtWorksformilwaukee.org.

ABOUT ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP

Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) has total assets of $39 billion and is the largest bank holding company based in Wisconsin. Headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Associated is a leading Midwest banking franchise, offering a full range of financial products and services from more than 200 banking locations serving more than 100 communities throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota. The company also operates loan production offices in Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio and Texas. Associated Bank, N.A. is an Equal Housing Lender, Equal Opportunity Lender and Member FDIC. More information about Associated Banc-Corp is available at www.associatedbank.com.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.