Local organizations are banding together this weekend to give Muncie residents the opportunity to donate to disaster relief efforts while participating in a variety of engaging educational programs.
“We are trying to make a difference, because we are deeply saddened by the events on the Gulf Coast,” Amanda Davis, Muncie Children’s Museum marketing coordinator, said.
Muncie Children’s Museum, Minnetrista Cultural Center and the National Model Aviation Museum are giving half of all admissions from Saturday and Sunday to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to aid the Gulf Coast hurricane victims.
“Steve Lindell from WLBC called me up and said they wanted to do something to help, and then we agreed to give half of our profits to the Red Cross Disaster Relief, and all the non-profits jumped in after that,” Davis said.
Muncie Children’s Museum has their new “WaterWorks” exhibit open to visitors, as well as “Pigtails and Hardhats,” a hands-on activity that shows how to build a house that “Big Bad Wolf” can’t blow down. The Museum has 15 interactive exhibits open to its visitors.
“This is an opportunity for families to come together to explore the campus, learn new things and to help the Gulf Coast,” Jessica Myrick, Minnetrista public relations specialist, said.
Minnetrista will display exhibits, including the “Presidential Hopefuls: The quest for the oval office,” “Open Space: Art About the Land” and “The Spirit of Oakhurst.” Interactive tours through Minnetrista’s water gardens, natural areas and the historic G.A. Ball home provide other cultural activities for visitors.
“The scope of the disaster is so big sometimes people feel like they can’t write a check big enough,” Betty Brewer, Minnetrista’s president and CEO, said. “By coming this weekend, you can do something small and your still helping.”
The National Model Aviation Museum’s 1,100-acre flying field will be playing host to free flight competitions Saturday and Sunday and the auto-gyro fly, the predecessor to the helicopter, Friday through Sunday. The museum also offers hands-on experience in the Wright Brothers exhibit, “Spinning Tops to Whirling Props,” as well as “Models at Work: Flight Research at NASA.”
“I think it is a wonderful opportunity to see places like the Muncie Children’s Museum, Minnetrista and the Aviation Museum.” Michael Smith, National Model Aviation Museum curator, said. “Their money won’t just help the facilities, but the money is going to help people in desperate need.”
The Aviation Museum has instituted a telephone help-line for its members to contact the organization and pledge their services or money to the cause.
If this weekend’s collaborative efforts are successful, Brewer said the three organizations will be doing more joint projects in the future.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
