Richmond County Medical Community Reaches $250,000 Goal to Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham
Gift will be designated to support healthy living theme areas
October 21, 2011ROCKINGHAM, N.C. – The Richmond County Medical Community has made a combined gift of $250,000 towards the Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham project, designating the funds for theme areas in the children’s museum related to healthy living. The announcement was made by the project campaign’s Medical Advisory Group, tasked with securing financial support from medical communities in the Sandhills region for Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham. Their work is ongoing in neighboring counties where over $50,000 has already been pledged toward the effort. The Medical Advisory Group and several other groups led by local leaders comprise the volunteer comprehensive capital campaign team.
“Medical professionals understand the importance of early childhood learning in the development of healthy children. As a local pediatrician in Richmond County for the last 31 years, I am proud to be part of this worthy and exciting project,” said Dr. Masoud Ahdieh. “We are thankful that Discovery Place KIDS selected Richmond County as the recipient of such a wonderful educational experience.”
The Medical Advisory Group, which had set a campaign goal of $250,000, will continue to fundraise as interest continues, and plans are underway to expand the outreach of the medical community campaign into neighboring Sandhills counties. To date, the Richmond County Medical Community donors include pharmacists, optometrists, pediatricians, general practitioners, and medically related organizations.
Dr. John S. Stevenson, recently retired physician with Charlotte Radiology who is leading the regional medical effort states, “Our focus has been on the healthy living activities and related areas. Medical professionals realize that our leadership is as critical as ever in making a difference in the lives of our patient families.” He continued, ‘Local and regional foundations, corporations and individuals are also recognizing the need for a Discovery Place KIDS museum in this region.”
“Our Medical Advisory Group has done an exceptional job raising awareness of how Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham will benefit our rural region,” said Russell Bennett capital campaign honorary co-chair and chair of the Richmond Community and Cole Foundations. “The Sandhills medical community is investing their dollars in our children, the future of our community and quality of life for this area of the state.”
Currently under development in Richmond County, Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham will open in the location once occupied by the McKenzie Furniture building as an experience that encourages imagination, creativity and skill development for young children and their caregivers. The ongoing capital campaign will continue to secure funds needed for renovation of the facility, program development, exhibition design and fabrication, admission subsidies for underserved groups, and long-term support, upgrades and maintenance.
About Discovery Place KIDS
Discovery Place KIDS is an innovative model in regional children’s museums developed by Discovery Place, Inc., the parent company of Discovery Place and Charlotte Nature Museum. Discovery Place KIDS is built on the theme of “I CAN” and offers unique opportunities for learning through play for children and their parents or caregivers. For more information about Discovery Place KIDS, call 704-372-6261 or visit discoveryplaceKIDS.org.
About Discovery Place
One of the top hands-on science museums in the nation, Discovery Place provides ever-changing, entertaining facilities that engage the public in the active exploration of science and nature. More than a half-million people from all over the United States visit Discovery Place, its IMAX® Dome Theatre and Charlotte Nature Museum each year. In June 2010, the Museum completed an 18-month, $31.6 million renovation, resulting in a completely transformed and re-imagined experience with all-new interactive exhibits. Discovery Place is supported, in part, with operating support from the Arts & Science Council. Discovery Place is located in uptown Charlotte at 301 N. Tryon Street. Convenient parking is available in the Museum’s parking deck – the Carol Grotnes Belk Complex – at the corner of Sixth and Church Streets. For more information about Discovery Place call (704) 372-6261 or visit discoveryplace.org or connect with Discovery Place on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
