TCR welcomes the Heart Ball Thursday

CEDAR RAPIDS — The American Heart Association is partnering with Theatre Cedar Rapids for the 19th Annual Heart Ball — a fundraiser aimed at saving lives from heart disease — beginning at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

Guests of the Heart Ball will be treated to a silent and live auction, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, as well as a private showing of Crimes of the Heart. The Heart Ball is presented by Cardiologists, L.C. and underwritten by the Diamond V Mills Corporate Fund of the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation. The event takes place at TCR’s home in the Iowa Theater Building, 102 3rd St. SE in downtown Cedar Rapids.

“We wanted to take this event to the next level by adding an element you don’t usually see at charity events,” says Amy Johnson Boyle, chair and emcee for the event. “With Theatre Cedar Rapids performing Crimes of the Heart, we thought this was the perfect year to treat our guests to something new as well as expose our cause to a new audience.”

Currently, heart disease kills more Americans than any other disease. That fact hit close to home for the Theatre Cedar Rapids community just a few months ago, when sound designer and longtime volunteer Dave Schmoldt passed away suddenly from a heart attack in December at the age of 56.

“An event like the Heart Ball is of major importance to the community, and Theatre Cedar Rapids is proud to be a part of it,” said TCR Executive Director Casey Prince. “When representatives from the American Heart Association presented this idea to us, we saw  it as an exciting opportunity for both organizations. I hope this is the start of a long partnership.”

Tim Boyle, President of the Theatre Cedar Rapids Board of Directors, agreed.

“Amy (Johnson Boyle) and I worked on a Downtown Rotary event featuring a performance of The Producers a year ago,” he said. “The audience had a ball, the new theatre got the spotlight and Rotary was able to present a large check to its beneficiary, Metro High School. The Heart Ball represents another great example of community collaboration.”

Funds raised at the Heart Ball will be used to further the American Heart Association’s goal of reducing deaths from heart disease and stroke by 20% by 2020 while improving the lives of all Americans by 20% by 2020 as well. These goals will be achieved through a combination of prevention and research into life-saving techniques.

The Heart Ball has never featured the private performance of a full-length play before. Crimes of the Heart, however, presented an ideal fit, featuring enough comedy to keep the evening light while also touching on the bonds of family.

“Crimes of the Heart is a terrific play driven by strong female characters,” said Boyle. “The American Heart Association embraces the opportunity to remind us all that heart health is a major issue facing women, not just men. Plus, it will be a fun night in the “heart” of an Iowa winter. A Heart Ball surrounding Crimes of the Heart is a win, win, win, win, win situation.”

Tickets for the Heart Ball fundraiser are $50 each. Tickets include a silent auction, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, live auction, and private showing of Crimes of the Heart.  For tickets, contact Theatre Cedar Rapids at 319-366-8591 or order them online.

###

About the American Heart Association

Founded in 1924, the AHA is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke. To help prevent, treat and defeat these diseases — America’s number one and number three killers — the AHA funds cutting-edge research, conducts lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocates to protect public health. To learn more or join them in helping all Americans, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit heart.org.

About Theatre Rapids

Founded in 1928, Theatre Cedar Rapids is one of the largest and longest-running community theatres in the Midwest, located in the historic and newly-restored Iowa Theater Building. With a range of plays, musicals, education programs and volunteer opportunities, TCR’s mission is to provide quality theatre, maximizing community participation and education in theatre arts in Cedar Rapids and the surrounding region. For more information, visit www.theatrecr.org or call (319) 366-8592.

About the Heart Ball

• The Heart Ball is attended annually by Cedar Rapids’ most prominent corporate leaders, community philanthropists, and medial industry professionals.
• Presented by Cardiologists, L.C. and underwritten by the Diamond V Mills Corporate Fund of the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation.
• The goal is to raise money to fund life saving research, education and community programs in Iowa that save lives from heart disease and stroke.
• Heart disease kills more Americans than any other disease. Funds raised at the Heart Ball will be used to further the American Heart Association’s goal of reducing deaths from heart disease and stroke by 20% by 2020 while improving the lives of all Americans by 20% by 2020l. These goals will be achieved through a combination of prevention and research into life-saving techniques.
• The Heart Ball ticket includes silent auction, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, live auction, and a private showing of Crimes of the Heart.
• This marks the first time that the American Heart Association has partnered with another non-profit to stage the Heart Ball.
• These partnerships have never been more important, in the wake of the flood and a challenging economy.