WARSAW — Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts is dedicated to making a lasting impact on youth and families in the community but it takes a village to make this kind of impact possible. Wagon Wheel center for the Arts is inviting all to help make it possible this summer season through their first ever Day of Giving on May 11.

Day of Giving is one day in which Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts spends time sharing stories about how generous donations from givers have made impact possible in our community. It is also a day for encouraging others to give to help make impact possible for the future.

Since becoming a not for profit in 2010, Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts has expanded youth and educational opportunities and continues to advocate the arts for youth in and around Warsaw. Wagon Wheel’s artistic staff is dedicated to teaching all ages not just about performing arts but about how to develop as an individual, a friend, and even employee.

In the words of Scott Michaels, artistic director of Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts: “The Arts expose our youth to life skills that will impact their entire lives. Life skills like public speaking, problem solving, verbal and literacy skills, communication, and how to work as a team.

At Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts, we are providing a training ground for young professionals to cultivate their art in hopes of reaching their career goals in professional theatre as well as opportunities for local youth to learn about the performing arts and participate as a team in workshops and performances.”

Last year, Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts was able to award over $3,000 in scholarships through Wagon Wheel Jr. acting workshops and Symphony of the Lakes Young Artist Competition, provide free admission to all 6th graders to see our holiday musical “Miracle on 34th Street” and sponsor four high school internship positions during our 2017 summer season. Donations on Day of Giving will help make these programs and opportunities possible for another season.

This summer, Wagon Wheel hopes to enroll over 80 students in their three summer workshops, has hired over 30 young professional actors still in college for the summer season, has about 10 high school and college students working backstage this summer season, and 12 local youth participating on stage in Seussical or Freaky Friday during the 2018 professional summer season.

Elisa Wise, development director at Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts, said this about the campaign.

“Our goal for this campaign is to raise money to support the character building opportunities we provide youth in our community and the educational experience young professionals receive during our summer season. We want the chance to share what Wagon Wheel has made possible for students and how donations make it possible for us to continue changing lives in our community.”

More information on how to become involved and help make the enriching and educational opportunities possible for youth and families this summer season can be found at https://wagonwheelcenter.org or by calling Elisa Wise at (574) 267-8041.

Throughout the day, Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts will be active on social media. They encourage all to stay connected through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as there will be fun contests and prizes.