Leonardo’s Children’s Museum is pleased to announce a $200,000 gift from Integris Health and Integris Bass Baptist Health Center in support of its ongoing capital campaign to renovate and expand the landmark downtown museum. A donation of this magnitude qualifies INTEGRIS for a naming opportunity, and they have selected title sponsorship of the “Medical Clinic” as part of the 2nd floor “Pretend City.”
“Leonardo’s Children’s Museum is a valuable asset to Northwest Oklahoma, and we are excited to partner with them through this donation,” said Bruce Lawrence, President and chief executive officer of INTEGRIS Health. “The museum helps us to live our mission by providing interactive, hands-on exhibits which inspires more active, healthier lifestyles for children of all ages.”
“We are happy to support such a treasured organization like Leonardo’s,” added Edward Herrman, president, INTEGRIS Bass Baptist Health Center. “We are grateful for the commitment that INTEGRIS Health has made through this partnership to Enid and northwest Oklahoma.”
Last fall, Leonardo’s received a $1.5 million grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, which will be used for Phase 1 of the construction, scheduled to begin in August. Phase 1 will include all new permanent exhibits on the museum’s first floor, new and refreshed exhibits on the second floor, and an exterior facelift, which will involve moving the museum entrance to Maple Avenue.
In January of this year, Leonardo’s was also informed that the capital project had been approved for a $500,000 challenge grant from the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation. In order to receive the Mabee funding, Leonardo’s must raise the remaining $1.5 million prior to January of 2016.
“On behalf of all of us at Leonardo’s, we are so grateful for support from local entities like INTEGRIS,” commented Julie Baird, Executive Director. “This donation is the largest single gift received from a corporation to date, and brings the current amount raised to $4,495,315 toward the goal of $6 million. It is our hope that other local businesses will see the value of investing in the future of Leonardo’s, just as INTEGRIS has,” Baird concluded.
For information about making a personal or corporate gift to the Leonardo’s Capital Campaign, contact Julie Baird, jbaird@leonardos.org or call 580-237-0009 X 103.
