FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Arlington, VA) – December 31, 2010 – After many months of behind-the-scenes work, Friends of the Arlington Planetarium announces a breathtaking, year-end contribution to their campaign to keep this school and community science center open. Mr. Preston Caruthers, Arlington builder and philanthropist, has committed to a $100,000 matching challenge to help meet the December 31st fundraising target of $241,680 set by Arlington Public School Superintendent Patrick Murphy. Beginning on December 30, 2010, all donations to the Friends will be matched by the Caruthers gift, until a total of $100,000 in new donations has been reached.
The ultimate target of this fundraising effort is $402,800—an amount the Superintendent has determined is needed for replacing the star projector, installing new seats, modernizing the interior lighting, and making other needed upgrades. The Superintendent has asked the Friends of the Planetarium to raise this amount by the end of the current academic year, or June 30, 2011, in order to keep the facility open and return it to full-time operation in the coming year.
Matching donations made before the end of today, December 31, 2010, are fully tax-deductible in the current year.
Contact Person:
Alice Monet, Board President
save.the.planetarium@gmail.com
