Tygart Valley United Way is proud to announce a $20,000 founding gift to Interact Children's Museum in support of the museum's Founding 150 Campaign, helping bring an exciting new destination for children and families to North Central West Virginia.
The investment represents more than a one-time contribution. As part of the partnership, Tygart Valley United Way has also made a long-term commitment to sponsor and maintain a dedicated United Way space within the museum. The area will serve as an engaging environment where children and families can learn, explore, and grow while reflecting United Way's commitment to creating greater opportunities for every child.
Through annual support, Tygart Valley United Way will continue investing in the space to ensure exhibits remain updated, interactive, and engaging for future generations. The partnership directly supports one of the organization's four Bold Goals outlined in its recently adopted Thriving Community Plan: Youth Opportunity, which seeks to ensure every young person has the relationships, skills, and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.
"This partnership reflects exactly the kind of community investment envisioned in our Thriving Community Plan," said Brett White, Chief Executive Officer of Tygart Valley United Way. "As we work toward our Bold Goals, we are committed to investing in initiatives that create lasting impact. Interact Children's Museum will be a place where children discover new interests, families spend meaningful time together, and learning happens through curiosity and play. We are proud to be part of making that vision a reality."
Since launching in 2019 as a mobile children's museum, Interact Children's Museum has introduced thousands of children and families across the region to hands on learning experiences through community events, school programs, and pop-up exhibits. What began as a traveling educational experience has grown into a community driven effort to establish a permanent home where children can explore, imagine, create, and discover through interactive exhibits designed specifically for them.
The organization recently secured its future home in downtown Elkins and has made significant progress toward opening the new facility. Through its Founding 150 Campaign, Interact is bringing together individuals, businesses, foundations, and community partners to help transform the space into a vibrant children's museum that will serve families throughout the region for years to come.
“We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with the Tygart Valley United Way to provide high quality, hands-on exhibits for the children of our area,” said Lisa Martin, Board President, Interact Children’s Museum. “Their investment in Interact Children’s Museum will help further our goals and also serves as a ‘vote of confidence’ from an established organization with a long history of doing amazing work in our communities. We look forward to working with them now and in the future,”
By investing in Interact Children's Museum, Tygart Valley United Way is helping create a regional asset that will strengthen early learning, encourage family engagement, and expand opportunities for children throughout the five-county region.
Once completed, the United Way space will become a permanent feature of the museum experience, providing children with fresh, engaging opportunities year after year through Tygart Valley United Way's ongoing commitment.
The gift reflects United Way's belief that creating thriving communities requires strategic partnerships and investments that extend beyond traditional grantmaking. By supporting innovative projects such as Interact Children's Museum, Tygart Valley United Way continues to advance its mission of mobilizing our community to action so all can thrive.