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“I want the students that were involved with this amazing project to be able to bring their children one day. They can tell the story of how their shoes helped the museum. Their handprints will always be on our hearts.” - Lisa Ditty.
"The auction blew me away with how much we were able to raise and made me so proud to be apart of this community." Madison Mortensen, Artist
In all, Step Up raised $10,575! This included the sales of pedestals, Shoe Art Live Auction sales, and sponsorships. Lisa Ditty, Executive Director of the Museum shared, "When Emily presented the board with the check, it really solidified our team and all the hard work that we've put in the past two and a half years. Now we can use this funding to give back to the community even more by becoming a Museum for All. This money will allow us to offer reduced admissions for those in our community that might not be able to afford to the museum. This community project raised 80% of what we needed to become a Museum for All. Eighty percent, that's amazing for us! We want everyone to be able to enjoy what we've been able to create."
Map of Adventure: If you visited all 17 Shoe Art locations and had 17 stamps on your map, you were placed into a drawing to win prizes. Amy Gehring, Emily's right hand gal and left brain, holds shoe box of maps for Lisa to pick winners for prizes. The top prize was a pair of Chuck Taylor Converse All Star Shoes, for two high school students.
"I am genuinely elated. This project turned out to be so much more fulfilling then I initially anticipated. To see everyone who showed up to the auction really put it into perspective as to how big the project was. Initially I had my doubts that it would raise so much money, but we were beyond successful. I have had so many people approach me concerning the project. One person even said that to hear so much money was raised for the museum brought tears to their eyes! I also had a lot of people approach me about my poem to tell me that it hit home for them, which is exciting, because who knew that we could make such a difference?" - Trinity Mummert, Author
As co-owner of a fine arts and educational company, I remember those start up years, sleeping on the floor, eating bologna sandwiches. We had very little and got through them on pure grit, innovation and having a vision. Upon my first visit to the Lykens Valley Children’s Museum, I heard Executive Director, Lisa Ditty’s passion for building something out of nothing, creating a space for children to explore, discover and learn. It was the same passion that ran deep through my veins. I admired her tenacity to lay the foundation of a grand idea in a small town. The Museum fills a void in our community. I admired her ability to network and form partnerships. Those partnerships are key to nurturing a business. And what’s not to love about her positive “let’s tackle this” attitude? At that moment, I knew that I wanted to help the Museum in some way. Finally, as Christmas approached, I knew it would involve my students.
-IT IS GOOD TO GIVE BACK-
Our young people are a vital part of our community, with much energy and talent- the fuel to this Public Art project. The HS art students will use their gifts to raise money for this local non-profit. Their shoe art will be sold at LIVE AUCTION, all proceeds to be gifted to the Children’s Museum, to develop and continue their mission. Thank you for your partnership Lisa- time to nurture.
VALLEY STRONG INITIATIVE
Over the past two years of operation, the Lykens Valley Children’s Museum(LVCM) has welcomed families throughout the area and beyond, and have seen how an interactive learning environment can have an almost magical transformative impact on young children.
But the museum also realizes that during these challenging times many families struggle to make ends meet and while the museum tries to provide a very reasonable admission, sometimes the cost of bringing a family to the museum is just not in the budget.
The LVCM's Valley Strong Initiative Program is a community driven program that when funded will allow the LVCM to be able to offer reduced admissions into the museum for families with SNAP benefits.
For every $50 raised, three families with SNAP benefits can visit the museum for only $4 a family! Video: https://www.facebook.com/lykensvalleychildrensmuseum/videos/309455420587752/
The hope of the LVCM is to raise funds to become a Museums For All museum by September 1st. With your support this will be possible!
Thank you to the UDAHS Art students and Miss. Nell for choosing the LVCM for this amazing community give back project. Together we are building a stronger community and thus a stronger tomorrow.
LVCM MISSION
Our mission is to provide an interactive play and hands-on learning museum where we provide a child-centered environment to inspire children’s creativity, curiosity, imagination and a love for life-long learning. We are building a community-supported place where play and learning are forever connected for all the children and families in Lyken's Valley.
http://www.lykensvalleychildrensmuseum.org/
33 South Market St.
Elizabethville PA
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