Oklahoma WONDERtorium Surpasses Campaign Goal
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Contact: Ruth Cavins, Executive Director Contact: Lynda Halley, Chair, PR & Marketing Committee |
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| EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, January 4, 2012 |
PDF: 20120104_WONDERtorium-CampaignGoal.pdf |
Oklahoma WONDERtorium Surpasses Campaign Goal
Planting Seeds of WONDER campaign exceeds $900,000 in donations
The WONDERtorium welcomed large crowds during the holidays – 315 visitors were recorded on Wednesday, December 28th. Since opening on October 15, over 7,800 museum-goers have visited with many commenting that Amazing Airways, shown here, is their favorite interactive exhibit.STILLWATER, OK (January 4, 2012) –The Oklahoma WONDERtorium, newly opened children's museum located in Stillwater, announced it exceeded the goal of $900,000 for its Planting Seeds of WONDER capital campaign before the end of 2011. Projects funded by the successful campaign include the leasing and renovating of an existing facility at 308 West Franklin; employing the services of Patrick Bumpass, principal architect for Red Prairie Design Group, Oklahoma City, and nationally-known exhibit design firm, Kraemer Design + Production, Cincinnati, Ohio, to re-configure the existing facility's floor plan. Kraemer also designed and fabricated over half of the 14 interactive exhibits and learning areas. Lambert Construction Co., Stillwater, won the competitive bid for the renovation and build-out of exhibit areas with additional independent contractors providing signage, exterior painting and in-museum fixtures.
With the majority of the goal reached in fall 2011, the funds also supported the hiring of one additional full- and seven part-time staff, inventory for the museum's gift shop, and the many supplies necessary for programming and activities.
"This is a significant milestone," said Marcia Karns, campaign co-chair along with husband Dr. Tom Karns. "We can now wrap up our comprehensive campaign knowing that we established a reachable goal – attained in only 14 months – and in difficult economic times. The reward for lots of time and effort by the campaign committee, and others, is having our community embrace the WONDERtorium."
Since opening on October 15, over 7,800 museum goers have experienced the WONDERtorium's exhibits, birthday parties, field trips and the museum's special events including Flight!, Kameoka Kids Origami, and Mrs. Claus' Holiday Workshop.
"In every sense of the word, this has been a true 'grassroots' campaign," said Ruth Cavins, Executive Director. "Our donor base consists of approximately 460 total contributors with a typical gift averaging $3,000 over three years. We were very fortunate to jump-start this campaign in October 2010 with substantial gifts from Buel Staton Charitable Trust and Stillwater National Bank and several individual donors. The citizens of Payne County and north-central Oklahoma embraced this campaign as their own. Many community groups, businesses, families and individuals contributed significant funds confirming our belief that a play-to-learn environment for children and grown-ups is important to the quality of life in this region."
Cavins continues, "We are now enjoying earned income through admissions, purchases in the gift store and memberships. Over 336 families have signed up for a year's membership that includes free admission to the museum, priority enrollment for special events plus other benefits."
Marcia Karns concluded, "This success is not the end of the campaign, but a launching pad for the WONDERtorium to determine next steps. Our board of directors and advisory council will be investigating ways to build on the momentum of Planting Seeds of WONDER and continue the effort to strengthen families (both traditional and non-traditional) as they have lots of fun investigating play, creativity and science in our world."
To learn more about the Oklahoma WONDERtorium, visit www.okwondertorium.org.
The Oklahoma WONDERtorium is located at 308 W. Franklin in Stillwater (just north of the Stillwater High School Football Stadium). Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. Closed Monday. Telephone: (405) 533-3333. The Oklahoma WONDERtorium is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more details about the museum, its programs and events, please visit http://www.okwondertorium.org.
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