DERRY | A small child sells a cup of lemonade on a hot day for a quarter | one way a small gesture can make a big difference to help save a favorite place.
For the staff, families, and supporters working hard to keep the Children's Metamorphosis museum alive and open, these acts of kindness can mean the difference between keeping the downtown play place open or seeing it close its doors for good.
The Children's Met is in danger of being evicted from its location in Derry unless enough money is raised or pledged through the grass-roots "Save the Met" campaign, now in full swing.
The Met announced on July 18 that due to financial problems and diminishing corporate support, it would be forced to close as of the end of August.
The deadline of Aug. 31 is looming, but each day organizers say more and more support and money is pledged or donated to help the non-profit stay open. The campaign's goal is to raise $50,000 to cover debt and immediate expenses and to secure more board members and new corporate sponsors to help improve Met operations and keep the museum healthy and going forward.
Many organizations and individuals are stepping up to offer help, including small tokens like lemonade stands, yard sales, and other fundraisers, or larger financial commitments like a Derry Village Rotary Club donation, and also a $10,000 a year, three-year commitment from Stonyfield Yogurt. This week, pledges totaled upwards of $45,000 toward the $50,000 goal.
"The continuing flow of support and new heartfelt pledges make a dramatic statement about the community's feelings toward the Met," Met board of directors member Paul Lindemann said.
Londonderry psychologist Suzanne Kuchel included her feelings on the Met Web site and said she has always been impressed with the creative and innovative ways in which the Met strives to help children develop, socially, and emotionally.
"There aren't many downtown visitor destinations in any community that have such a positive impact on the growth of their patrons," she said.
A variety of Save the Met events are planned into September, and projected earnings will be included in the total goal for the campaign. The following are scheduled events for the Save the Met campaign:
Sept. 4-7 - "Met U-Time." Drop off children at the Met for fun while parents go back-to-school shopping or just take some time off. Cost is just $10 per child, per daily sessions, which run 9:30 a.m. to noon, Tuesday through Friday, and also 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday evening. Recommended age is 18 months to 8 years of age and each session is limited to 10 children.
Sept. 15 - A "Computer Smash" is held at Duncan's European Automotive, 33 Londonderry Road, Londonderry. Take out digital frustrations with a sledgehammer and smash up a keyboard, mouse, or monitor from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Small fee goes to support Save the Met campaign. Call 434-5796.
Sept. 15 - A "Kick-a-Thon" is held at Tim Barchard's Professional Martial Arts Academy. Martial arts students will kick up a storm and raise pledge money for the Met.
Sept. 15 - Derryfest celebration is held in MacGregor Park and the Met plans a Duck Drop event to support the Met's future.
For information on the Save the Met campaign, or to make a donation, contact the Met at 425-2560 or visit online at www.savethemet.org.
Derry
Related Photos
-
Allegra Boverman
Discussion
Welcome to our online comments feature. To join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address. Once you do, your comments will post automatically. We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean. We reserve the right to remove comments that are obscene, racist or abusive and statements that are false or unverifiable. Repeat offenders will be blocked. You may flag objectionable comments for review by a moderator.
'Save Met' campaign nears its goal
- Derry
-
-
Pinkerton CTE program growing by leaps and bounds
Julie Huss/Staff photo. Faculty, students, administrators and other officials gathered at Pinkerton Academy on May 14 for an official ground breaking for the high school’s new Career and Technical Education facilities. The construction is part of a state-funded project to upgrade the school’s CTE facilities.
Pinkerton Academy is growing. This time, it's the Career and Technical Education students who will reap rewards of new facilities and programs.
Continued ... -
Spectator: May 24
Commissioner Coyle?
Continued ...
As longtime Derry state Rep. Phyllis Katsakiores announced she would be running for a spot on the Rockingham County Board of Commissioners, a former town councilor is jumping into the ring to give her some competition. -
DERRY BRIEFS
Rail Trail grand opening set
Continued ...
The grand opening celebration for the Derry Rail Trail is set for June 2. A ribbon-cutting is planned for 11 a.m. The Derry Farmer's Market is scheduled to be open that day behind the former Depot, now Sabatino's North Restaurant, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Retired teachers jump back into the classroom at Grinnell
- Longtime Derry lawmaker won't seek re-election
- Derry, Londonderry honor fallen veterans
- Home builders keep fairies in mind
- PET OF THE WEEK: Chloe tries again
- Pinkerton students give back to community
- Summer reading series features poetry, workshops
- Cook some chili or chowder and support campers
- First Parish Church celebrates its historic role
- Wednesday, May 16, 2012
- Derry OKs budget; taxes up 17 cents
- DERRY MEETINGS
- DERRY BRIEFS
- Plant sale to help American Heart Association
- PET OF THE WEEK: Bella's just a baby
- First Parish Church plans Heritage Day
- Gardeners donate flags to Boys and Girls Club
- Prescription drug abuse is target of forum
-
