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"Move that 'Boose!" Funding Campaign Closer to Target
By Tourism Industry Partner
MUSKOGEE, Okla. (Feb. 18, 2011) – The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Inc. (OMHOF) “Move That ‘Boose!” campaign to raise funds to create a permanent, state-of-the-art children’s music exhibit is closer to its target, but there is more work to be done.
OMHOF has until March 1 to raise needed funds so that a $100,000 challenge grant can be released from the City of Muskogee Foundation to complete the project.
“We need a few more thousand dollars so that we can move a vintage caboose to our museum at the Frisco Depot and convert it into a children’s music exhibit,” said Penny Kampf, OMHOF executive director. “Money is arriving every day and pledges will bring us even closer to the goal, but we still need financial support so we don’t fall short.”
The children’s music exhibit will be housed in an old caboose that has been donated by War Memorial Park and is currently located beside the War Memorial Museum in Muskogee. OMHOF will use grant funds to move the caboose to its new home on museum grounds at the Frisco Freight Depot and renovate the train car’s interior into a hands-on music exhibit targeting the imaginations of the young and the young at heart.
The “Move that ‘Boose!” campaign’s three-prong approach allows donors of all financial means an opportunity to support the cause. Those wishing to donate may give any amount to OMHOF, but suggested levels of giving will be $1, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.
OMHOF is also offering two founding memberships named after Oklahoma-inspired songs — “Fearless the Wonder Dog” ($500) and “Jeremiah’s Tadpole” ($250). Those who consider giving the gift of a founding membership can do so on behalf of a child whose name will be placed on a permanent plaque installed at the museum.
For individuals and companies who would like to give at the highest level, there is an “All Aboard” sponsorship tier starting at $3,000. Patrons at this level will also be considered founding members of the children’s exhibit, and their names will be displayed on the donor plaque. All founding members will receive a host of further benefits, as well.
The “Move that ‘Boose!” idea was inspired by the hit ABC television show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” where host Ty Pennington and the winning family yell “Move that bus!” as a new home is revealed. Kampf thinks the idea is a perfect fit for the fundraising campaign.
“We literally plan to move and then renovate this old caboose into a hands-on, educational music exhibit for the children of Oklahoma,” said Kampf. “We want to reveal it on a grand scale in 2011, and we need everyone’s help to get it done. No donation is too small — or too big!”
The board of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame feels children need to understand that music comes from real people and real musical instruments — not just from an iPod. The OMHOF would like to educate children about the rich history of Oklahoma music — what it means, how it moves people, and its broad cultural significance. “The mission of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame & Museum is ‘to honor, preserve and promote Oklahoma music,’” said Kampf. “What better way to do that than to start with the state’s youngest citizens?”
Supporters of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Inc. can find out more about “Move that ‘Boose!” by logging on to www.omhof.com. Donations can be made online, mailed to OMHOF at P.O. Box 3221, Muskogee, OK 74402, or given in person at the museum, located at 401 S. 3rd St. in Muskogee.
The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit created to honor, preserve and promote Oklahoma music. For more information, visit www.omhof.com or call (918) 687-0800.