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Date: February 12, 2010

The Top 10 Ways to Help Save Explorit

To many people in the Davis community, the news that Explorit is in jeopardy of shutting down completely has come as a shock and a cause for dismay.

On a KCRA Channel 3 News report this week, a reporter asked museum visitors for their reaction to the situation. They flinched with obvious dismay.

Their next reaction, as Angie Millar said on camera, was “What can I do to help?”

Here are some answers to her question.

• Donate online at http//:www.explorit.org. This is the easiest way to help. We are especially grateful for gifts of unrestricted funds.
  


• Phone us to a make a credit card donation. You can call (530) 757-4530 between 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays. Please also call if you have questions about the “Save Explorit” campaign, which has a goal of raising $600,000 by Aug. 1.
  


• Mail a check to Explorit at P.O. Box 1288, Davis CA 95617.
  


• Deliver a donation in person at the museum site, 2801 Second St., during public hours: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesdays, 2-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays.
  


• Deliver a donation in person at our nature center (the old ranch house) at 3141 Fifth St., weekdays between 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  


• Attend our “Night at the Museum” reception on March 5. Drop in between 5 and 7 p.m. to get a preview of the exhibition opening the next day and learn more about ways to help Explorit. RSVP to Lindsay@explorit.org by Feb. 24. (The exhibition, incidentally, is called “Wild Planet,” and it explores Earth’s physical characteristics, cataclysmic natural events and animal adaptations.)
  


• Shop online at http://www.goodsearch.com, designating Explorit as your charity of choice. For each transaction you make, we receive up to 30 percent of the purchase price.
  


• Sign-up for our e-newsletter to learn about fundraising activities and receive updates about the campaign. On the Explorit website, click “About” and then “Newsletters.”
  


• As always, you can purchase an Explorit membership to both support the center financially and enjoy a host of benefits yourself, including unlimited admission and free entry into more than 300 science and technology museums nationwide. Family memberships are $50. Learn more on Explorit’s website by clicking “Join.”
  


• Contact our development director, Peter Willson, for information about small breakfast get-togethers to talk about investing in science education through Explorit. He can be reached at peterw@explorit.org or (530) 755-4530 ext. 112.
  

You can also visit explorit.org or contact Willson to learn more about many other ways to support the center, including corporate sponsorships, planned giving, vehicle donations and our annual Science Challenge.

“We simply cannot let Explorit close,” says Peter Willson, director of development. “Our programs enrich the community by enhancing curiosity, creativity and learning through fun, interactive exhibits and programs for children, families and school groups. Our need is great; our time is now."
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Explorit Science Center is open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, 2 – 5 p.m. on Wednesdays – Fridays, and 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at 2801 2nd St. in Davis. Admission is $4 general, free for ages 3 and under, as well as members and teachers with ID. For more information: http://www.explorit.org or (530) 756-0191.