Museum feels the love from generous donation
The Stratford Perth Museum just received a very generous donation of $400. The donation came anonymously from frequent museum visitors who wanted to give back, and they did so thanks to the cheque given out by the provincial government.
“The donation came through Canada Helps last week, I saw it on the weekend via email notification,” said Kelly McIntosh the General Manager of the museum. “There is a link to donate to the museum on our website, and we use Canada Helps as a safe and easy way to do that. It was unprompted and a total surprise.”
McIntosh says she reached out to the donor right away to thank them, and they asked to remain anonymous but did provide a statement about why they decided to donate to the museum.
“We are glad to help such an innovative museum. Every time we come to an event it brings us joy. So we are very pleased to offer our support. I hope that lots of people donate their cheques if they are a family that can manage without it. It’s a way to get the funds back to not-for-profits.”
All donations go towards the museum’s operating costs according to McIntosh.
“The money will support the hiring of students outside of our student grant asks, which is important,” said McIntosh. “We have recently stretched our budget to hire an events and facilities coordinator. Donations will also help support all of the free education and programming we provide. For example, this Family Day the museum is offering free admission to everyone, and we’re providing self-directed scavenger hunts and other activities. Speaking of assets, not only is the museum an older house, and like many we have surprises, including last year we needed significant repairs to the roof. Even the Players Backstage required some repairs this past December.”
The local museum has been focused on art and cultural offerings, as well as becoming a welcoming and inclusive space, and donations like this further help the museum’s mandate.
“Not only are we laser-focused on our mission to celebrate the stories and the history of the county, but also to come up with creative ways that invite and allow the community to share their stories. Great examples of that are the recent events around Vera McNichol, a beloved community member from Millbank who helped so many people,” said McIntosh. “We also have been working hard to be a welcoming, inclusive space, with our Indigenous markets, our children’s programming, and women’s health seminars with much-needed education on menopause, and we have an incredible exhibit celebrating DEI and gender inclusivity over 50 years at the Stratford Festival, called “To Thine Own Self”.Plus- we want to be a very fun, chill place to hang out.”
From Stratford Today by Rob Ross
Photo credit Rick Micks