Staff Writer
The Caribou Children’s Discovery Museum capital fund received a boost recently when organizer Nancy Chandler received word that, as the result of a grant applied for through the museum’s committee, they had been awarded $50,000, from the Davis Family Foundation, of Falmouth.
The Davis Family Foundation grant letter stated,” the amount of $50,000, conditional upon raising $2 million in received or pledged gifts within two years. We share your enthusiasm for this project and hope our gift will contribute to its success.”
Chandler said,” Right now the capital campaign is at $115,000 with $40,000 of that total in cash and the rest in assets (the land where the museum will be constructed).” We are so excited, this is the first grant we’ve received so far.”
The CCDM is currently offering raffle tickets for a hand constructed 1946 farm truck replica, with custom potato barrel body handcrafted by Jim Chandler. Tickets are $10 each or three for $25. This is an $800 value and there will be only 600 tickets sold. The drawing for this one of a kind keepsake will be held during WAGM-TV’s Potato Pickers Special. All proceeds from this drawing will benefit the building fund of the Caribou Children’s Discovery Museum. Tickets are available at Reds Motor Sports, from Chandler or other CCDM volunteer members.
Chandler reminds everyone that the Family Fun Day, sponsored by the museum, will be held Saturday, August 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Caribou Wellness Center. This event will used to demonstrate the possibilities of the interactive discovery items found within a children’s museum.
There were be special displays provided by Cary Medical Center, the Forest Service and the Caribou Weather Station. The event-filled day will also have games, prizes and food.
Another event coming soon Chandler encourages participation in is the annual Caribou Cares About Kids Parade in August. “Come be in the parade with us from the CCDM,” said Chandler, “decorate anything with wheels- scooters, bicycles, whatever you want and regardless of your age, come join us.”
Concerning donations to help make the Caribou Children’s Discovery Museum become a reality, Chandler reminds residents that donations are accepted and may be done online through Paypal at www.cariboudiscovery.org.
Currently, the signs for the project have been completed and shipped, hopefully arriving and erected on the museum site in the near future. The S. W. Collins Company is providing the necessary posts for the signs.
For those wishing more information about the Caribou Children’s Discovery Museum project, Chandler can be contacted at 760-2556.
