New Foundation Formed to Create Children's Museum for Tri-Valley

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

A new non-profit foundation has been formed to pursue the creation of an interactive children's museum in the Tri-Valley area.

They say that necessity is the mother of invention but in this case, mothers are the mother of invention. The idea for the museum was first conceived by Dina Visuri of Livermore, a mother of three children who was planning some activities for a play group. Frustrated that there were no such facilities nearby, she began to discuss with friends the idea of starting a local museum.

Bright Ideas

"There is obviously a need for a children's museum here," says Visuri, now president of the newly-elected Valley Children's Museum board of directors. "Attractions like this are becoming increasingly popular for families and now that we have begun a feasibility study, we're more convinced than ever of the Tri-Valley's strength as a potential market for a children's museum."

In just over six months, the group has made remarkable progress towards creating the children's museum of their dreams.

They've gathered support by participating in the Livermore Children's Fair in September and Pleasanton's "Make a Difference Day" in October.

In early December, the non-profit group elected an eight member board of directors. Joining Visuri as an officer is Corinne Pelotte, vice president; Kelly Lake, secretary; and treasurer Stephanie Cahill.

Moms on a Mission

They've also created a mission statement for their endeavor:

"The Valley Children's Museum will provide opportunities for educational play through fun, interactive exhibits and programs for children, families, and school groups. Designed as a kid-friendly "town" with themes from our local communities, the museum stimulates curiosity, creativity, imagination, and learning through exploration in the arts, science, and role-playing."

Help is Needed

Visuri is seeking help from the community in achieving the group's vision.

"The Valley Children's Museum needs to be created not only for the people of the Tri-Valley area, but also by the people," she says. "With this involvement, we can ensure that the museum is ever-evolving and will reflect the needs of the community, its members, and visitors."

Volunteers are sought for fundraising, art and design, engineering, business and finance, and computer programming.

A variety of corporate sponsorship programs are also available.

To volunteer or for additional information, send e-mail or contact Visuri by mail at P.O. Box 1193, Livermore CA, 94550.

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