Rehoboth museum donations to be matched until Aug. 1
Rehoboth Beach Museum Director Nancy Alexander announced that the museum’s annual fundraising event, the Beach Ball, scheduled for Aug. 1 at Kings Creek Country Club, will not be held because of COVID-19 concerns.
“Our board of directors decided that because of the uncertainties of this virus, and questions of whether even over one month from now it would be safe enough to hold a large gathering event, it would be best to postpone it this year,” said Alexander.
“This midsummer celebration of our beach, and the work of the museum in promoting and preserving Rehoboth’s great history, has each year been a joyous event, attended by hundreds of museum supporters, and we are saddened to have to make this decision this year. However, even if statewide restrictions would be loosened by August, we think it best for the health and safety of all museum supporters, Beach Ball attendees, and museum employees to take a step back at this time and not take any risks,” she said.
Museum board President David Mann said, “The museum has instead launched a matching gift initiative called the Beach Ball Bounce Back campaign. A total of $15,000 has been pledged by sponsors and donors, and the historical society is asking members and friends to make individual donations which, when added together, will match that amount. The campaign has begun and will continue through Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020. Current members have kept their membership status active, but we need this extra boost to continue to care for the collections and provide programming.”
Alexander said the organization is using email and online forums to engage people interested in museum activities. The museum has launched a YouTube channel to feature videos about local historian Paul Lovett’s diorama representing Rehoboth Beach c. 1910, and a series of videos called Off the Shelf featuring items from the permanent collection. The society also has begun a series of educational programs using an online meeting platform.
Corporate sponsors who have made this challenge possible include M&T Bank, WSFS Bank, Bank of Delmarva, Community Bank, RE/MAX Realty, Arena’s, Lyons Insurance Company, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Gallo Realty, Harvey, Hanna and Associates, and media sponsors the Cape Gazette, Delaware Beach Life magazine and CAMP Rehoboth.
Alexander said, “I hope people will go to our museum website, www.rehobothbeachmuseum.org, to make a donation, join our email list and sign up for our online programs. The community is welcome to join us in celebrating the history of Rehoboth Beach.”
For more information or to donate, go to www.rehobothbeachmuseum.org.
