The Meade Activity Center has announced that Olympic Track & Field Gold Medalist and World Record Holder, Michael Johnson will be the guest of honor at the 6^th Annual MAC Matters Gala on Friday, April 24th.  The MAC is proud to count Mr. Johnson as the sixth keynote speaker at this prestigious event.  Previous guests of honor include entrepreneur and philanthropist Todd Wagner, tennis great Monica Seles, solo artist and member of The Eagles Don Henley, former CBS Evening News anchor Dan Rather, and PGA golfer Kenny Perry. Michael Johnson is a four-time Olympic track and field gold medalist, nine-time World Champion and world record holder.  During his 11-year career, Michael established a record of 13 Olympic and World Championship medals, all of them gold. Michael represented the USA in the Olympics on three occasions: Barcelona in 1992, winning gold in the 4 x 400-meter relay; Atlanta in 1996, winning gold at 200 meters and 400 meters; and Sydney in 2000, winning gold again at 400 meters.  During his career, Michael broke world records in the 200 meters, 400 meters and 4 x 400-meter relay. He became known as the “Fastest Man in the World” in 1996, when completing the historic 200/400- meter Olympic double. He recorded the fastest time ever clocked by a human, running 23 mph en route to his 200-meter world record performance of 19.32 seconds. Michael added the 400-meter world record in 1999, clocking 43.18 seconds.  After his retirement in 2001, Michael opened Michael Johnson Performance with a mission to help athletes of all ages and all sports reach their full potential, using the same training philosophy and training techniques he used as an athlete. The annual goal of the Gala is to raise capital for new facilities and to fund the MAC Financial Assistance  program that will provide fitness and recreational opportunities for people of all ages, abilities, and incomes.   The emcee for this event will be Kari Wagner, a Meade County native, whose passion for giving back and love for her community have made her a MAC advocate since its inception. In addition to Q & A with Michael Johnson, the Gala will feature a gourmet dinner and complimentary cocktail service.  This year’s gala will return a Monte Carlo event provided by Black Diamond Casino Events of Cincinnati. Tickets will go on sale on March 9th at a cost of $100 per person.  Individual tickets or tables of 8 may be purchased on the MAC’s website CLICK HERE or at the MAC Office, 493 Lawrence Street, Brandenburg, KY 40108

The 5^th Annual MAC Matters Gala was truly a night to remember.  Community members from all across the bluegrass were out and about for the annual Meade Activity Center (MAC) Matters Gala, held in Brandenburg, Ky. on March 21. The annual gala provided a venue to celebrate another successful year filled with activities, programs, and special events at the MAC. This year’s guest of honor, Todd Wagner provided a very intriguing Q&A while attendees enjoyed the newest twist on the event, a Monte Carlo Casino Night, provided by Powers Paper Company for all to enjoy.  In addition to the night’s events, MAC Board Chairman John Beavin announced intentions to move forward with plans to construct phase 1 of the new Meade Activity Center facility.

Todd and Kari Wagner have played a key role in the success to date of the MAC.  Kari, a Meade County native who grew up in Battletown, KY has been an advocate since the MAC’s inception. The Wagners have landed numerous notable guest speakers for the annual event in the past including Kenny Perry, Dan Rather, Don Henley, and Monica Seles. Proceeds from this event are earmarked for financial scholarships applicable for programs and events designed for youth, adults, and seniors.  This year’s gala will go down as one of the most successful to date, yielding over $70,000.00

The MAC would like to thank our 2014 Gala sponsors. Todd Wagner Foundation, The Lusk Group, Brandenburg Pharmacy, LG&E and KU Energy, The Cecilian Bank, Meade County Bank, Powers Paper Company, Hardin Memorial Hospital, Farm Bureau Insurance-Greg Beavin, Rivertown Spirits, Monument Chemical, Brandenburg Telephone Co., and Mr. Dan Rather (guest of honor 2011).

A special thanks goes out to Gala volunteers including Gala Chair Stephanie Parker, Auction coordinators Mike & Diana Greenwell, and all of the individuals who played a role in making the event a night we won’t soon forget.

Images from the Gala can be viewed here:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.555396504558014.1073741833.298794823551518&type=3