“During our first visit to the Desert Museum in 1994 we agreed it was the best full spectrum natural history experience we'd ever had - and right here in our own backyard! We've supported the Museum annually since then and encourage friends and business associates to do the same.”
-- Jerry Weinert
   & Marni Dittmar

Ongoing Support Annual Fund Campaign - Spring 2013 

ARCH BROWN
Chair, Board of Trustees
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

I am writing first and foremost to thank you for your gifts to the Desert Museum. You have reason to be very pleased and proud of all that your investment is doing! As you know, the mission of the Museum is... "to inspire people to live in harmony with the natural world by fostering love, appreciation and understanding of the Sonoran Desert."

Your gifts are making this mission come alive all day, every day, 365 days a year at the Museum. With 350,000 annual visitors learning about our precious desert — we remain one of the sterling attractions for the state of Arizona.

Your gifts allow 45,000 school children a year to be visited in their classroom by the mobile Museum called the Desert Ark or to come to the grounds on a field trip to learn about their desert surroundings.

Like you, thousands from around the country are members and generous supporters — indeed you can feel proud. You are inspiring people, from toddlers to seniors. You can learn more about your impact on children by going to: http://www.desertmuseum.org/newsletters/news201301.pdf.

My purpose for writing to you today concerns aging. Aging is a natural part of the world in which we live. You and I age. Plants and animals all age as part of the cycle of life. Your gifts to the vital needs of the Museum support this natural aging process in a marvelous way. Read on.

First, I want you to know that your gifts combined with a grant from the William and Mary Ross Foundation allow seniors to benefit from the iconic Desert Ark program. The very same educational caravan that travels to schools also visits nursing homes where those unable to navigate over Gates Pass get to experience tarantula, mesquite, ringtail, saguaro, kestrel and tortoise. You would be inspired to see our mature mentors and seniors at the edge of their seats in amazement. Residents of 23 assisted living and nursing homes were enlivened by visits from the Desert Museum last year. You make a difference in the lives of our greatest generation.

Second, the Desert Museum has a very active assisted living program for animals that are no longer in public view. Aging animals and birds that are physically declining and no longer able to be on exhibit are supported and sustained in a safe and comfortable environment. While this is a service performed behind the scenes, I want you, as part of the family, to know that your gifts to the vital needs of the Museum support the habitat, feeding, staffing and care for these aging exquisite species. As one example, you must know that in 60 years the Desert Museum has exhibited several different George L. Mountain Lions. The mountain lions on display have nearly always been shadowed by their aging predecessors, nursed out of sight.

You make it happen at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum! I thank you from the bottom of my heart. As chair of the board for the second time in 30 years, I understand aging! I also understand the vital role that you hold as a long-time supporter who cares about this extraordinary place.

Please join me in your continued support of the Desert Museum. Now you know that in addition to entertainment, education, inspiration, conservation and preservation — your gifts to the Desert Museum are helping care for aging people and aging animals!

Thank you for your sustained giving and for all you do for the Desert Museum. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Warm regards,

Arch Brown, Chair
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Board of Trustees