Des Moines Civic Center Announces Third Annual Willis Lexus Drive for Kids

The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines, in partnership with the Willis Auto Campus and Lexus of North America, announced the third annual Willis Lexus Drive for Kids, a fundraising campaign to support Civic Center Education and Community Engagement programs.

Throughout the 2009-2010 season, Willis Lexus will match all donations made to the Civic Center Education fund, up to $15,000.

"The Willis Lexus Drive for Kids is a natural extension of our Broadway Series sponsorship," says Willis Auto Campus Dealer Principal Rich Willis. "We are thrilled to know that every dollar raised is helping young people experience the joy and wonder of live, professional theater." 

Donations to the Willis Lexus Drive for Kids will support programs such as the Applause! Series which brings k-12 students to the Civic Center to experience curriculum-based performances such as "Voices from the Resistance", about resistance fighters in WWII, "A Year with Frog and Toad", based on the award winning children's book, and "San Jose Taiko", America's leading taiko drumming ensemble. 

Tickets to Applause! Series performances are offered to all students at a subsidized price of only $1. "The true cost of Applause! is more than $7 per student." says Civic Center President & CEO Jeff Chelesvig, "The Civic Center is committed to making these experiences accessible for all schools by offering the tickets for $1. We are dependant on the gifts of our education donors and thank the Willis Auto Campus for so generously supporting all that we do."

Donations to the Willis Lexus Drive for Kids can be made online at CivicCenter.org, by mail or at the Civic Center ticket office, 221 Walnut, Des Moines 50309. Ticket Office hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information on the Willis Lexus Drive for Kids, visit CivicCenter.org orWillisautocampus.com.

The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines is a private not-for-profit corporation celebrating over 30 years of presenting the performing arts to Iowa and the surrounding states. It is the presenter of major Broadway and educational touring companies, performers and groups, and is the performing home of many local and regional groups, including the Des Moines Symphony and StageWest. All performances of the Broadway Series are supported by Willis Auto Campus. All performances at the Civic Center's Temple Theater are supported by Prairie Meadows. All performances of the Family Series are supported by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

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