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AVIATION MUSEUM TAKES OFF!

2008-08-12

Fundraising Successes Lead to Major New Developments

MARIETTA, GA - The Aviation Museum & Discovery Center (AMDC) is now in position to move ahead with construction plans and to pursue its Reaching New Heights Campaign goal of raising an additional $6 million to total $14 million over the next two years. “To date, the Aviation Museum & Discovery Center has raised $7.8 million in cash and in-kind resources, just $200,000 shy of our immediate goal of $8 million by the end of this year,” said Lt. General (Ret.) David Poythress, fundraising campaign chairman, in his State of the Organization Address last week. “So many people have worked hard to make this dream a reality, and now we are about to begin construction,” he said. “Cobb County and, in fact, all of our fellow Georgians will be honored to have a place to bring their children to remember the wonderful heritage of aviation in Georgia, and perhaps to have them become engaged in the sciences associated with aviation.” General Poythress announced the ground breaking ceremony for AMDC’s first building will be held on Saturday, October 4th, 2008, at “Dance the Skies” Gala which will feature dinner, dancing and entertainment, as well as a live auction. “Be sure to mark your calendars,” he said. “All are invited to attend this historic event! It will be a fun-filled, extraordinary night to remember!” As chairman of the Reaching New Heights Campaign, General Poythress explained that the Gala will also kick-off efforts to raise the additional $6 million to complete construction of the museum. “Phase I of the building plan will allow us to house temporary exhibits and provide Discovery Center experiences while the additional funds will complete the permanent Exhibit Hall and Education Center,” said Gen. Poythress. “Our vision,” he explained, “is to be the premiere venue not only to celebrate the history and innovation of aviation, but to explore the applications of science, technology, engineering and mathematics to aviation. We want to stimulate the imagination through creative educational programs.” At the Board of Directors meeting following the State of the Organization Address, board members voted to elevate Robert B. Ormsby, Jr. from President to President Emeritus. Mr. Ormsby is past president of Lockheed Georgia Company and led the board over the past five years toward AMDC’s mission: to discover the wonders of flight from concept to reality, to explore the heritage of aviation, to dream about the future possibilities of science and technology, and to engage in life-long learning and critical thinking that promotes national excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Mr. Ormsby set in motion the community’s interest in the Aviation Museum. Through his leadership, he recruited leaders from the civic and business communities to build the corporate foundation. “We are in his debt and are thankful for his dream and commitment to this great cause, “said Lori Cowie, Executive Director of the museum. The gavel was then passed to Chuck Clay, a local attorney and grandson of General Lucius Clay, father of the Berlin Airlift of 1948-49, and Marietta native-son.

Click here for more information on the Dance the Skies Gala set for October 4, 2008. Visit our Donate Now page to make a contribution to help us meet our fundraising goal before the end of this year.

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