PMA’s 35th Summer Ball
ILLINOIS – The Polish Museum of America (PMA), 984 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60642 extends a warm invitation to our valued friends and patrons to the 35th Summer Ball, on Friday, June 5, 2015. The ball will be held at the Galleria Marchetti, 825 West Erie St., Chicago, IL 60642. The black-tie event begins with cocktails at 7:00 p.m., and dinner served at 8:00 p.m. Music will be provided by the renowned Anthony Kawalkowski Orchestra. A portion of the ticket price and any donations to The Polish Museum of America are tax deductible.
This year, the Polish Spirit Award will honor the Gift from the Heart Foundation (Dar Serca) and Shriners Hospitals for Children – Chicago, for their dedicated care of physically disabled children.
The Summer Ball is the PMA’s largest annual fundraising event, with all proceeds benefiting the Museum. Established in 1935 and celebrating its 80th anniversary in October, The Polish Museum of America remains the nation’s only institution of its kind, dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Polish and Polish American heritage through a wide variety of educational programs and exhibitions. Our visitors are greeted at a newly modeled entryway and gift shop, welcoming all who seek knowledge of the assorted and interesting histories and arts within Polonia. As a cultural center, the PMA hosts the renovated Paderewski Room, a priceless Royal Sleigh, and the Stephen and Elizabeth Ann Kusmierczak Art Gallery. The invaluable Archives and Library offer extensive sources chronicling the lives of Poles and those of Polish descent in America and throughout the world. Most recently, in honor of its centennial in April 2015, the Library renovated a rare books room to house editions dating as far back as the 16th century.
Over the years, The Polish Museum of America strives to be the center of our ethnic heritage and to help preserve its holdings for succeeding generations. We have continued in our efforts to renovate and modernize the Museum, as well as safeguard our priceless collections. As a not-for-profit institution, we need your continued help and support to preserve and promote Polish and Polish American heritage and culture.
We ask that you join us in our commitment to future generations to make The Polish Museum of America a Chicago heritage landmark and the cultural center of the Polish American community.
We thank you for your generous support, and look forward to seeing you at the Summer Ball!
Deadline for reservations is May 26, 2015, please call 773-782-2603.
Raffle tickets are available for purchase at the PMA and PMAL for a chance to win: 1st place – $2,500; 2nd place – $1,000; 3rd place – $750; and 4th place – $500. Winner need not be present. ($10 per ticket, 3 for $25, or 8 for $50).
The poppy was chosen as the symbol of the Summer Ball because it is a beautiful and common wildflower in Poland symbolizing Flanders Fields to Americans and Monte Cassino to Poles.
Photos: Julita Siegel (2014 Summer Ball at Galleria Marchetti.)