Dave & Buster’s will host its grand opening VIP ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 27, from 6 to 10 p.m. at its new location, 2201-2215 N. Mayfair Road. Part of the grand opening event will feature a one-of-a-kind charity skee ball competition.
Leaders at two local charities will match up to compete for the proceeds from Dave & Buster’s opening week.
“People bond and come together every day over games at Dave & Buster’s,” said general manager Esther Gomez. “We thought extending that competitive spirit to our charity partners would be a great way to use ‘fun’ to raise ‘funds.'”
The Dave & Buster’s Charity Roll off will see Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee Board member Jim Popp compete against the executive director of IndependenceFirst, Lee Schulz.
Whichever charity has the highest cumulative score at the end of three games will win the Golden Skee Ball and $5000 of the proceeds. The Second place charity will receive $2,500.
“The Boys & Girls Clubs mission is to inspire and empower young people to reach their full potential,” said Jean Heyduck, director of communications and marketing for Boys & Girls Clubs of Milwaukee. “Jim is definitely inspired and empowered to become Southeastern Wisconsin’s reigning skee ball champion. He’ll be bringing his A game and looks forward to an evening of exciting competition for a good cause.”
“Besides both organizations having really great reputations locally for being really active in the community, both really seemed to be about getting the most out of life – and that means different things to different people but we felt we all had that in common,” said Kelley Kohler, a spokeswoman for Dave & Buster’s. “We want people to make time for fun, Boys & Girls Clubs wants young people to reach their full potential and IndependenceFirst wants people with disabilities to not be limited in the community.”
According to Gomez, the charity event has become customary at all Dave & Buster grand openings.
“It’s a good way to get involved and introduce us to the community,” Gomez said.
“It’s a great way to kick off a business opening,” said Carol Voss, public relations and marketing director for IndependenceFirst. “It’s going to do a lot to increase the visiability of both organizations, and I’m glad they saw us as an organization that likes to have fun particularly for a good cause.”
According to Voss, Schulz’ competitive spirit and desire to win will be all it takes.
The competition will start at 7 p.m. during the VIP reception; tickets to the event are still available for purchase through either of the participating organizations. Those who attend the event will receive a free appetizer buffet, a $20 game card and the ability to order from the Dave & Buster’s menu for free. Proceeds from ticket sales will go directly to the organization who sells them, Kohler said.
For more information or to purchase tickets for $40 a piece, visit either of the two organization’s websites at: www.independencefirst.org or www.boysgirlsclubs.org
