Tucson Giving: Dream Raffle will help 2 local arts groups

But for the Moores, the best part isn’t the dream, it is the living.

“My reason for buying the raffle tickets every year was that it was the primary fundraiser for the Tucson Museum of Art and I wanted to participate. I don’t do it with the idea of winning; the joy is being in the game and supporting the cause. To me, that the is spirit of why we participate and why others should participate,” said Loyal.

Loyal is honorary co-chair with Marjorie of the first Dream Raffle to benefit the Tucson Museum of Art and the Tucson Symphony Orchestra.

The Moores inspired the combined fundraising effort when they opted to take their 2011 winnings in the form of a cash prize, which they then donated back to the two local arts organizations. After taxes, the donation amounted to about $205,000.

“The Moores are just incredible. They are the true epitome of philanthropists. When we called Loyal and told him he had won the grand prize, he simply responded with two questions: One, could he donate the winnings back? And two, could they be split between what he called their ‘two children in Tucson’ — the two organizations they absolutely love and have always supported — the Tucson Museum of Art and the Tucson Symphony,” said Robert Knight, chief executive officer of the Tucson Museum of Art.

“Donating that money back was beyond words. These are obviously people that really care deeply about continuing to support the arts in their community.”

Knight believes the opportunity for collaboration will make the organizations, which have a combined history of almost 175 years in Southern Arizona, stronger as they move forward.

“We have a lot of crossover patrons that support both organizations, and I think they appreciate the fact that we are all working together to ensure the arts in our community will continue to thrive,” he said.

In turn, the entire Tucson community benefits from the distinctive opportunities provided by the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block with its five historic houses as well as the TSO concert season, featuring more than 70 orchestra and 260 chamber ensemble performances annually, according to TSO President and CEO Andrew Birgensmith.

“(TSO conductor) George Hanson has said many times that every great city needs a great symphony orchestra. It is a driver for the economy, and the artistic level of music here in Tucson is unbelievable. It compares to orchestras in major cities like Kansas City and Nashville,” Birgensmith said.

TSO Vice President of External Affairs Andrea Dillenburg said that the talented pool of musicians that compose the longest continuously performing professional arts organization in Arizona also contribute to Tucson’s unique artistic flavor.

“What I really love about the Tucson Symphony Orchestra isn’t just that we have excellent musicians, but that many started and trained here and then traveled across the country. They have become excellent artists and come back because they love Tucson and want to serve this region with their music,” she said.

“There is a lot of passion and a lot of heart and a lot of intensity that they bring to their performances.”

It is heart that inspires the Moores to share their good fortune with others in the city where they have enjoyed concerts and art together for the past two decades.

“I started out with a very average family during the Depression and got through it with diligence and hard work. We are not big philanthropists, but we appreciate having more than we need and have the desire to share it, and it is much more fun when you can direct the direction that your gift is going,” Loyal said.

With that in mind, Loyal hopes he can induce others to “get in the game for a cause” by purchasing a Dream Raffle ticket.

All proceeds from the fundraiser will fund education programs and scholarships for underserved schoolchildren and help bring nationally touring exhibitions and musicians to Tucson.

“It would be nice for the raffle tickets to sell out and have them reach their goals. I am sure their ensuing budgets will need every cent they get,” he said.