AHA! benefits from return to normal operations and fundraising

Aaron Burd, Lancaster Eagle-Gazette
·3 min read

LANCASTER − The AHA! A Hands-On Adventure, A Children's Museum relies on community support and it was there for the nonprofit when it needed after it reopened from Covid pandemic restrictions.

This year, the focus on rebuilding its community outreach.

AHA! A Hands-On Adventure, A Children's Museum in Lancaster is a non-profit organization that provides a space for young children to use imagination, creativity, and sense of discovery.

Jude Coolidge (right), 3, and Tilian Welch, 5 and both of Lancaster, play in the water table area at AHA! A Hands-On Adventure A Children's Museum on Feb. 2, 2023 in Lancaster, Ohio.
Jude Coolidge (right), 3, and Tilian Welch, 5 and both of Lancaster, play in the water table area at AHA! A Hands-On Adventure A Children's Museum on Feb. 2, 2023 in Lancaster, Ohio.

In May of 2022, the non-profit held a fundraiser called Pip Pip Hooray with the goal of raising $10,000. Executive director of AHA Julia Hilty said that this event turned out to be a resounding success, raising three times more than the original goal.

"Community support made AHA the gem that it is and the community showed its continued support at our fundraiser," said Hilty. "Pip Pip Hooray was an overwhelming success, raising over three times our goal."

Hilty said that Pip Pip Hooray was a general fundraiser to raise money for operations and exhibits. With plans to do more fundraising in the future, the non-profit will have additional opportunities to receive help from the community.

"Our fundraising committee is always organizing," said Hilty. "We're looking at scheduling some dates to get together and meet and talk about what our fundraising calendar will look like in the coming year and beyond."

For a time during the pandemic, AHA found itself temporarily closed. Pip Pip Hooray ushered in the nonprofit's first fundraising event since the Covid pandemic.

Jude Coolidge (right), 3, and Tilian Welch, 5 and both of Lancaster, play in the water table area at AHA! A Hands-On Adventure A Children's Museum on Feb. 2, 2023 in Lancaster, Ohio.
Jude Coolidge (right), 3, and Tilian Welch, 5 and both of Lancaster, play in the water table area at AHA! A Hands-On Adventure A Children's Museum on Feb. 2, 2023 in Lancaster, Ohio.

While temporarily being forced to close during the pandemic, AHA is now doing well as they have returned to normal operations.

"AHA experienced lower admissions in 2020," said Hilty. "We were part of the businesses that were under operating restrictions and were shut down for part of 2020. Then, we reopened slowly throughout 2021. In 2022, we returned to normal operations. We welcomed over 13,000 visits from children and over 25,000 visits from adults and children combined."

To bring customers back as they returned to normal operations, AHA was able to resume advertising through multiple different facets.

Hilty said that as a nonprofit, AHA is supported largely by admissions and membership fees, as well as being allowed to accept donations, sponsorships, and grant funding.

Hilty stressed how exciting the coming year would be for AHA.

"We are really excited for 2023, we are rebuilding our community outreach, that is a focus for 2023," said Hilty. "We have several ideas that hope to announce soon."

AHA is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with an admission fee of eight dollars per person, with children of 12 months and under being allowed in for free.

Family memberships are $100 a year, with members being able to visit as many times as they want.

"AHA is a perfect place for your birthday party or field trip," said Hilty. "A great way to enjoy AHA is to become a member."

To contact AHA, call 740-653-1010 or email guestservices@aha4kids.org.

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: AHA! benefits from return to normal operations and fundraising