When he's not demolishing defenders on Sundays, Packers running back AJ Dillon will look to help demolish barriers to education alongside SHARP Literacy at the non-profit organization's annual "A Novel Event" fundraiser, hosted on Monday, Nov. 6.
Taking place from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at The Eagles Ballroom, this year's "A Novel Event" will showcase a conversation with Dillon about his life and career on and off the Lambeau Field tundra. The discussion – led by the evening's emcee Dario Melendez, WISN 12 sports director – will also include a Q&A session with the running back.
Previous "A Novel Event" dinners have featured former Packers receiver Jordy Nelson in 2021 and a trio of Brewers pitchers – Corbin Burnes, Taylor Rogers and Brent Suter – last September, with the funds raised going toward bringing SHARP's STEAM-based literacy program to classrooms, ranging K3 through fifth grade, across almost 50 schools throughout Milwaukee, Racine and Waukesha.
"We know that not all children are provided with the same learning opportunities. Similar to 'Quadzilla,' the lead character in AJ’s book ('Quadzilla Finds His Footing'), many of our students face challenges in school and life,” said SHARP Literacy president CEO Lynda K. Welsh, in a release. "SHARP’s STEAM-based program helps urban elementary students throughout Milwaukee, Waukesha and Racine overcome obstacles to learning, sets them on a path to academic success and encourages them to dream of a bright future."
In addition to the discussion with featured guest Dillon, this year's "A Novel Event" fundraising dinner will include a voice auction and honors presented to Johnson Controls, Inc. as well as to SHARP Literacy board member and civic volunteer Andrea Schloemer and her husband Jim, for their longtime support of the organization's efforts.
OnMilwaukee is a proud sponsor of the event.
Tickets for this year's "A Novel Event" featuring AJ Dillon are available at novel23.givesmart.com or at (414) 410-3204. Admission costs $200 for standard tickets or $300 for VIP tickets – however, there is an early bird discount that chops $50 off admission now through Friday, Sept. 29.
For more information about "A Novel Event," SHARP Literacy and other ways to help, visit the organization's website.
As much as it is a gigantic cliché to say that one has always had a passion for film, Matt Mueller has always had a passion for film. Whether it was bringing in the latest movie reviews for his first grade show-and-tell or writing film reviews for the St. Norbert College Times as a high school student, Matt is way too obsessed with movies for his own good.
When he's not writing about the latest blockbuster or talking much too glowingly about "Piranha 3D," Matt can probably be found watching literally any sport (minus cricket) or working at - get this - a local movie theater. Or watching a movie. Yeah, he's probably watching a movie.
