N E W S R E L E A S E
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 19, 2016
Contact: Nancy Johnson, Executive Director
425/258-1006, Ext. 1013
NancyJ@ImagineCM.org
$100,000 Gifted to Support Replacement of Rooftop Play Surface
Support helps cover cost of major Museum renovation
Everett, Washington – Two year-end donations to Imagine Children’s Museum brought an exciting close to 2015 as Google, Inc. and Google engineer Terry Lucas and his wife Sue collectively contributed $100,000 to support the renovation of Imagine’s rooftop surface.
The major renovation included removing and replacing the entire rooftop play surface that had worn from more than two million visitors jumping, running and playing since 2004. The new surface is more energy efficient, entirely ADA accessible and is among the safest material available.
The rooftop reopened on January 12, bringing renewed spirit to favorite exhibit areas like the Dino Dig, Rooftop Rhythms and the Tall Timbers climbing structure. Benefits to children include physical activity and unlimited opportunities for young imaginations to soar. Most of all, the rooftop provides a safe and fun area for all children and families to play, learn and spend purposeful time together.
These gifts are monumental, and are a true example of what it means to be an advocate of playful learning and improving children’s lives. Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Lucas and Google, Inc.!
Executive Director Nancy Johnson stated, ‘’The Rooftop Adventure is a very special feature of Imagine Children’s Museum. Playful learning involves giving children opportunities to explore, discover, create and imagine, and our exhibit areas on the rooftop do all of that. It’s the perfect space for our future scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs and artists to get their start. Keeping this space in top shape was a huge priority for our community, and I’m so thankful to Terry, Sue and Google for recognizing and supporting that.’’
ABOUT IMAGINE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
Imagine Children’s Museum (Imagine) emerged in 1991 as the result of a grassroots effort to fulfill the need in Snohomish County for a place where children and their families could spend quality time together year round. Since opening our permanent home in downtown Everett in 2004, our programs, exhibits and activities have drawn over two million people from the Puget Sound region and beyond. Now we serve more than 233,000 people annually through the Museum and outreach programs.
Imagine serves children ages 1-12 and their caregivers (parents, grandparents, guardians). Three levels of interactive exhibits are designed to promote family togetherness and educational enrichment in science, math, history and art. Immersive exhibit areas and classes are designed to develop academic and life skills—social/emotional, physical, critical thinking, independence and self-confidence—in children of all abilities regardless of race, gender or socioeconomic status.
Imagine’s connections throughout Snohomish County are expansive in breadth and depth. We work with schools, childcare centers, social service providers and other nonprofits to bring playful learning opportunities to our most vulnerable citizens. Partnerships include working with Snohomish County caseworkers, and family and military support centers to ensure we address a wide scope of emerging community needs. A summer literacy program and afterschool science clubs in area schools are among the ways we work to provide education and emotional support and guidance to those children who need it most.
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If you’d like more information about this topic please call Nancy Johnson at 425/258-1006,
Ext. 1013 or email at nancyj@imaginecm.org