December 28, 2009                                                                                                                                                    

CONTACT:                                                                                                                                                             

Debra Carnes – 253.284.2533, 206.669.6559 (cell), dcarnes@jayray.com

Broadway Center set to launch unprecedented fundraising effort

Unique raffle expected to strengthen and sustain

large performing arts center serving Western Washington

Tacoma, Wash. – In a first-of-its kind effort in Washington state, Tacoma’s Broadway Center for the Performing Arts will launch a major fundraising raffle on New Years Eve with a key kickoff event at the Pantages Theater. Raffle tickets for LIVE LARGE will sell for $99 each, with the grand prize winner becoming the owner of a new $1 million Tacoma dream home thanks to The Commencement Condominiums, or $600,000 cash. The size of the total prize pool topping $1.1 million makes this a first for any Washington state raffle.

“The Tacoma Dream Home Raffle is a perfect expression of the Broadway Center’s vision “to lead and energize the renaissance of downtown Tacoma,” said Executive Director David Fischer. “By bringing attention to gorgeous waterfront, cultural attractions, and our hospitality and retail partners we will reinforce that Tacoma is a terrific place to live, work, play and visit.”

The Broadway Center was founded in 1979, bringing arts to the area and providing many public benefits to South Puget Sound patrons. Along with energizing downtown Tacoma, the raffle hopes to improve the Broadway Center’s ability to manage the ups and downs of the U.S. economy by funding a “special board designated reserve fund.”

“We are grateful for the incredible business support we’ve received for this major fundraising effort,” said Fischer. “A number of our prizes were donated, and I would encourage people to go to our website and take a look at our list of contributors.”

The grand prize dream home with The Commencement Condominiums is located above Commencement Bay and adjacent to Point Defiance Park, will be drawn on June 26, 2010 along with several other prizes. First prize is a three-year lease on a top-of-the-line 2010 Toyota Prius thanks to Jim and Kay Love of Titus-Will Toyota, or $7,500 cash; second prize is a luxurious 10-day cruise for two on Holland America Line, or $5,000 cash; third prize is a seven-night lodging at Villa Paradiso in Bali, Indonesia, or $1,500 cash; and fourth prize is $1,000 cash.

Early ticket buyers will be eligible for two early bird drawings, the first occurring on February 14, 2010 for $10,000 cash and the second on April 15, 2010 for an additional $10,000 cash.  Early bird winners remain eligible for the grand prize drawing, and any subsequent Early bird drawing.

A maximum number of 34,000 tickets will be sold, making the odds of winning one of the seven major prizes less than one in 5,000. Patrons are encouraged to be one of the early bird ticket buyers at the Pantages Theater launch on New Years Eve at Tacoma’s First Night celebration. Raffle tickets are also available for purchase beginning at 7 a.m. Dec. 31 by calling 24/7, toll-free, 877.622.4511, or securing an application form online at www.tacomaraffle.org.

The Broadway Center for the Performing Arts gratefully acknowledges the following for support of the 2009-10 Season: ArtsFund, Ben B. Cheney Foundation, The Boeing Company, City of Tacoma, Forest Foundation, The News Tribune, The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, Washington State Arts Commission and Sequoia Foundation. 

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Download Broadway Center's Live Large: Tacoma Dream Home Raffle Fact Sheet.