Contact for Immediate Release
Joe Boettcher
June 25, 2024
Marketing Coordinator
815-316-1586
joeb@wesleywillows.org

Wesley Willows and RVC Starlight Theatre Partner for Annual Senior Living Benefit
Proceeds From the 52nd Annual Box Office Benefit Will Support Senior Living Residents in Need

On Sunday, August 4, 2024, Rock Valley College Starlight Theatre will host a special matinee performance of Disney’s Newsies: The Musical. What would inspire a theatre renowned for its nighttime performances to do a daytime show? The unique performance, known as the Box Office Benefit, is for an excellent cause: providing housing and care for seniors who outlive their resources.

This is the mission of Wesley Willows, a not-for-profit accredited Continuing Care Retirement Community that has been a mainstay in Rockford since 1966. Wesley Willows also purchased Peterson Meadows, an active independent senior living community in Rockford, in 2014. The organization uses donations to its Good Samaritan Fund and Peterson Meadows Endowment to provide financial assistance to residents in need. Last year, over $1 million in financial assistance came from these funds.

For 52 years, Wesley Willows has hosted a benefit to support its mission and has raised over $1.5 million in that time. The benefit was originally a barbershop quartet performance at a local church. Then, in 2004, the senior living community joined forces with RVC Starlight Theatre to create the Box Office Benefit, a family-friendly day of fun and entertainment.

“Wesley Willows is proud to partner with the incredibly talented group at RVC Starlight Theatre for another memorable event,” says Wesley Willows President and CEO Frances Salinas. “We love that we are able to raise money for our residents and provide an enjoyable day of family fun at the same time.”

An Unforgettable Event for a Good Cause

Not only does the Box Office Benefit feature a spectacular theatrical performance, but it also includes unique experiences that are more than worth the price of admission. Guests can purchase special tickets with access to a luxurious open house with delicious chef-prepared appetizers and a specialty mimosa bar. There are also opportunities to meet the performers from the show and bid on raffle baskets featuring gift certificates and tickets to Rockford’s top attractions.

The feature presentation will leave the audience spellbound. Disney’s Newsies: The Musical is an inspiring underdog story about a ragtag group of newsboys who dared to take on formidable newspaper titans. The exhilarating score from Alen Menken and Jack Feldman is sure to inspire theatregoers of all ages with its message of hope and justice.

Made Possible by Local Support

None of this would be possible without the help of several corporate partners. 36 local companies have donated to support the event, including platinum level partners Gallagher Insurance, Hard Rock Casino of Rockford, Maney’s Lawnscape, Morgan Stanley, and Scandroli Construction. Wesley Willows is grateful to all of its corporate partners for their continued support.

Purchase Your Tickets Today

Tickets for the 52^nd Annual Box Office Benefit are on sale now. A regular ticket costs $50 per adult and $20 per child (ages 7-12). You can also purchase one adult ticket and get a second at half price. The deadline to purchase tickets is Monday, July 29, 2024. Wesley Willows also welcomes people who are not interested in attending the event to make a donation.

About Wesley Willows and Peterson Meadows

Wesley Willows and Peterson Meadows are renowned and trusted senior living communities in Rockford, IL. Residents enjoy life in spacious homes and apartments with access to numerous amenities and activities on the secure campuses. Newsweek recently ranked Wesley Willows the fourth best Continuing Care Retirement Community in all of Illinois and the 60^th best in the United States.