Here is a sample of just a few ways volunteer time and talents affect our Museum everyday:

As the Museum continues planning its expansion phase there has been the need to consult with various specialists and municipal representatives. I’d like to thank Don Willcox and WDL Construction for donating their time to help create a better scope of the project at hand and its eventual cost. I’d also like to thank the City Managers of various local cities for taking the time out of their busy schedules to become familiar with our plans and giving input where needed.

Congratulations are in order to Sally Vetovitz for being nominated for the Jefferson Award. Sally has been a dedicated volunteer for the Museum for many years and in various capacities such as the front desk, home tour, duck pluck, and more. And two of our Board of Trustees members helped the Museum raise some new funds by dancing in the “Dancing with our Stars” competition this year. Lea Goodsell and Bob Lienhard practiced faithfully, and with two other partners performed an inspiring and entertaining
routine.

On January 26, 2008, the Museum will recognize four new Children’s Champions. They are Barbara Sinatra (Global), Palm Desert National Bank (Corporation), The Coeta and Donald Barker Foundation (Foundation), and Jean Benson (Individual). These are truly Champions for Children; always giving of their time, talents, and treasures to help in the positive evolution of children, families, and the community.
I also extend a welcome to our newest Board of Trustees member, Scott Wilson. Scott joins our Board of 25 Trustees, enthusiastically agreeing to assist the Museum in any way possible to help it reach its goals within the framework of the strategic plan and future development. His volunteer time and efforts will be greatly appreciated.

Since the Winter of 1998, the Museum volunteers have donated over 144,000 hours. That is equivalent to over 2.5 million dollars the Museum would have paid in salaries! Another testimony to the importance of our volunteers and recognition of their dedication to the Museum and its constituents. Thank you to everyone who helps the Museum every day. You have my complete admiration for a job well done and my sincere thanks for your support. Thank you!

by Lee Vanderbeck, CDMOD Executive Director
January 2008

Over the past decade, the Museum has been fortunate to have the support of the community, the Cities, and a number of committed donors. Each year as I review the list of people and organizations that help us financially, I am once again struck by their generosity.

If it were not for one donor in particular, the Museum would not even exist. I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you from myself, the Board of Trustees, the staff and the Valley’s children to the late Ambassador and Mrs. Walter Annenberg. It is because of them that the Museum calls Rancho Mirage home. In 1995, The Annenberg Foundation gifted the Museum with a 4-acre building site. This is where the Museum stands today. From that gift forward, the Annenberg Foundation has continued its history of giving to the Museum. In 2001, knowing an expansion was necessary for the Museum to continue its mission; the Annenbergs once again stepped in and donated two and a half more acres. It is on this property our expansion project will soon begin. Over the last ten years, the Museum has received cash donations totaling over $1 million dollars from the Annenberg Foundation.

Mrs. Lee Annenberg was also instrumental when the Museum was only a vision. She and President Ford co-chaired the Museum’s Capital Campaign. The three cities of the Cove commission gave us a grant of l.6million to match (Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert and Indian Wells ) We were successful in doing that and and were able to raise the balance of the funds needed to complete the project with the help of our co-chairs Mrs. Annenberg and President Ford.

Mrs. Annenberg’s unfailing generosity and personal interest in the Museum remains today. Mrs. Annenberg shops in our gift store and visits the Museum often with her Grandchildren. She remains supportive in every way possible and is always interested in the details of what we are doing at the Museum.

Many of the Annenberg’s generous contributions were unrestricted giving. In order to give unrestricted, one must have confidence in the Board of Trustees’ stewardship of the Museum’s finances. This is an acclamation of how hard the Museum’s staff and Board of Trustees work to ensure that we accomplish our mission and goals.

On Ambassador Annenberg’s 90th birthday, five of his close friends honored him with a plaque in the shape of a birthday cake that hangs proudly in the main gallery. That spirit of giving and continued support by the cities, the Annenberg Foundation, the Richmond Foundation and many other contributors who support us, believe in us and have confidence in us, enables us to continue to do great things for our community and its children. In the words of the late Ambassador, “We salute you”.

By Betty Barker, CDMOD Chairman of the Board

As we approach a new year, the Board of Trustees wish you and yours a very Happy Holiday Season and a great 2008.  We are looking forward to an exciting year at the Children’s Discovery Museum.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank our staff and the Board of Trustees for the exceptional work they do on behalf of the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert.

The Museum is well under way with plans for the expansion of our facilities and adding new experiences for our children.  This calls for parking lot improvements, interim program space, additional gallery space and new interactive exhibits.  Needless to say, we are excited and committed to this project.

This endeavor requires the generation of new financial assistance for the Museum.  Randy Miller and the Capital Campaign Committee are tasked with raising approximately $2,000,000 of new funds;  Kathleen Hopp and the Planned Giving Committee is working to assist with long term funding; Bob Lienhard and the Development Committee continue developing giving programs designed to promote and support the museum.
The Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert is truly a one of a kind desert gem.  In 2007 we hosted nearly 80,000 men, women and children.  Special programs include, Early Childhood Development, Free Family Fun Nights, Healthy Family Days, Discovery Camps, and Teen Recycling.

There are three major events scheduled for the first four months of 2008, starting with the January 26, 2008 Annual Children’s Champion Event, the Discovery Home Tour on February 10, 2008 and the Discovery Duck Pluck on Saturday April 12, 2008.  Please put these important dates on your calendar and join us in support of YOUR Children’s Discovery Museum.

by George Stettler, CDMOD Board President
January 2008