I Heart The 80’s Benefit for Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street
Get ready to party like it’s 1989 at the I Heart the 80’s benefit gala for Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street on Thursday, September 19th. The co-ed event formerly known as the Piccadilly Gala will feature some new twists along with a 1980’s theme as the organization celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
The revitalization efforts in Downtown Lee’s Summit date back to 1989 when a group of community leaders, business owners and residents came together to form Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street, Inc. Over the past 30 years, Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street has worked closely with the community to transform a downtown once littered with 19 vacant buildings. Today, it is a bustling business district with near 0% vacancy and is home to over 100 locally owned businesses. Downtown Lee’s Summit has become a place for our community to come together and celebrate. DLSMS hosts over 100 free events each year, including the Farmers Market, Downtown Days, the Fourth Fridays Art Walk, and more.
As a 501c3 nonprofit, none of this would be possible without the financial and volunteer support of so many in our community. This benefit gala helps ensure the work continues in keeping Downtown Lee’s Summit at the heart of our community. Since 2009, our volunteers have logged over 45,000 hours of service to downtown.
“The I Heart the 80’s benefit is a chance to rally our community of supporters to celebrate all that we’ve accomplished in the last 30 years with their help, and to also set our sights on what Downtown could look like 30 years from now,” shared Julie Cook, the Events Director for DLSMS. The heart in the logo is an homage to the famous neon Hartley Heart, recently restored and shining prominently on 3rd Street at Hartley Plaza.
New this year, the fundraiser will be co-ed. “Guests can make it a date night, or go with a group of girlfriends, or get a table for their business. Everyone can enjoy a fun night out while showing support for Downtown,” said Sheila Clark, the Vice President of the Board for DLSMS. The benefit gala will be held on September 19th at the Pavilion at John Knox Village and includes a delicious meal, silent and live Piccadilly auctions, games, prizes, and a cash bar. “With an 80’s theme, the wardrobe possibilities are endless. Let your inner Madonna, Billy Idol, or favorite Brat Pack character shine,” said Design Coordinator and New Kids On The Block aficionado Rachael Fitch.
Guests can purchase tickets for $65 each or $475 for a table of eight starting at the Ticket Sales Kick-Off Event on July 10th at 5:30 p.m. at The Stanley Event Space. Following July 10th, purchase tickets online at downtownls.org
To donate to the I Heart the 80’s Benefit Gala, visit https://downtownls.org/galadonations. All proceeds from the event benefit the revitalization efforts and community programming coordinated by Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street, Inc.