Escondido ChildrenÂ’s Museum Announces its First Annual Campaign
The not for profit Escondido Children's Museum is starting its first annual fundraising campaign with a goal of $10,000. County Supervisor Pam Slater has pledged to match each dollar contributed during the campaign which runs March 1, 2005 through April 15, 2005.
Escondido, CA (PRWEB) March 1, 2005
The Escondido Children’s Museum today announced the start of “Growing Strong,” its first Annual Campaign, which runs March 1, 2005 through April 15, 2005. Donations will support the Museum as it grows into a healthy and sustainable business.
The Museum received early leadership gifts totaling $2,000 towards the campaignÂ’s $10,000 goal from Donna Davis of Prudential Realty and the Faith Fellowship Foundation. And County Supervisor Pam Slater has pledged to match each contribution to the Growing Strong Campaign dollar for dollar.
Funds from the Growing Strong Annual Campaign will help the Museum develop new programs to serve families and schools, and create new exhibits allowing visitors to learn about science and word cultures.
The Escondido ChildrenÂ’s Museum was founded by Escondido parents and downtown business owners. It began as a traveling program that went to schools, then opened its first facility in downtown Escondido in September 2001 and finally realized its dream of relocating to a more functional and stimulating indoor/outdoor location in 2004.
“We are so happy with the way the North County community has embraced the Escondido Children’s Museum,” said Katie Ragazzi, the Museum’s Executive Director. “Foundations have invested over $30,000 in grants this fiscal year. We’re now asking North County businesses and residents to help us grow to better serve children, families and schools.”
The Museum has lived up to its goal of creating a safe, wholesome, educational and non-commercial learning environment that is accessible and welcoming to all. Monthly attendance topped 1,500 in the summer of 2004 and is holding steadily at 500 during the 2004 -2005 school year.
“The Escondido Children’s Museum is an educational, memorable and fun destination that everyone -- parents and children, teachers, scout leaders -- anyone who loves children can enjoy,” added Kirsten Younkin, the Museum’s Board Chair and Vice President of First National Bank in Escondido. “Funds from this campaign will help the Museum add new and meaningful exhibits that support our community’s strong need for science and cultural literacy.”
“Children need help to develop important life skills like curiosity, confidence and creativity,” affirmed Ragazzi. “Learning that takes place in a children’s museum reinforces what children learn in school and at home, and goes beyond that to open their minds to new possibilities.”
About the Escondido ChildrenÂ’s Museum
The Escondido Children’s Museum was founded in 2000 with the mission and goal of “inspiring children to learn about the world we live in.” The only children’s museum in San Diego County with an indoor-outdoor facility, this family - and school-friendly attraction specializes in interactive science and cultural learning for children ages 0-9 years.
The facility at 380 N. Escondido Blvd in the Art Studio Building of the California Center for the Arts borders the Escondido Historical Society, the Downtown Escondido arts, shopping and restaurant district, and the new multiplex cinema. The Museum is open year-around and receives an average of 500 visitors each month from North County, San Diego, Fallbrook and Temecula.
For detailed information about the Museum, please visit www. escondidochildrensmuseum. org.
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